Big Brother and Art Appreciation

[gr8fuldaniel]

Well, maybe they just wanted to buy some art :)

Chicago Sun-Times Secret Service visits art show at Columbia April 12, 2005 BY NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter Organizers of a politically charged art exhibit at Columbia College's Glass Curtain Gallery thought their show might draw controversy. But they didn't expect two U.S. Secret Service agents would be among the show's first visitors. The agents turned up Thursday evening, just before the public opening of "Axis of Evil, the Secret History of Sin," and took pictures of some of the art pieces -- including "Patriot Act," showing President Bush on a mock 37-cent stamp with a revolver pointed at his head. The agents asked what the artists meant by their work and wanted museum director CarolAnn Brown to turn over the names and phone numbers of all the artists. They wanted to hear from the exhibit's curator, Michael Hernandez deLuna, within 24 hours, she said.

Is the artist going too far?
Is the gov. going too far?
Being an artist myself I say let the market set the boundaries.
If this type of art doesnt sell, he wont produce any more.
If the president gets shot, is it the artists fault? I dont think so.

Whaddya think?

[LogicaLunatic]

I agree with you. But I also don't think the Government is stepping out of line by simply investigating. If they arrested somebody for this I'd start throwing words around like nazi, kgb and gestapo. But they haven't so I won't.

LL

[Lou Minotti]

This is blatant intimidation by the FEDS. Not too surprising seeing as Tom Ridge's boys have hassled toy store owners for selling Rubik's Cube knockoffs. Terrorism? LL, The government ERASED the line long ago....

[LogicaLunatic]

Quote by: Lou Minotti Terrorism? LL, The government ERASED the line long ago....

agreed

[gr8fuldaniel]

If you look closely its a left hand holding the gun so, concievably, this art piece could be saying the most patriotic act Bush could commit........hmmm. The hangover cure to end all hangovers.

An important part of the article (that may not be available later, with out paying for the archive) that should be included here:

Columbia agreed to the exhibit because of its "high artistic standards" and supports it even though the artists are not affiliated with the college, she said. "We're an art school. Our position has always been and remains: We support freedom of speech, freedom of artistic expression and academic freedom," Leventhal said. Hernandez said any government involvement could come close to trampling First Amendment rights. "It frightens me ... as an artist and curator. Now we're being watched," Hernandez said. "It's a new world. It's a Big Brother world. I think it's frightening for any artist who wants to do edgy art."

[PatrickHenry]

Evidence of a Police/Security State. Characteristics of a Police/Security State

[rcne]

I suppose it depends on which agenda you support in the name of Art. A pile of dog crap on a silver platter could be considered an artistic statement.

So, what was the purpose of this Art? Hmmmm.

Hernandez said any government involvement could come close to trampling First Amendment rights. "It frightens me ... as an artist and curator. Now we're being watched," Hernandez said. "It's a new world. It's a Big Brother world. I think it's frightening for any artist who wants to do edgy art."

Plaaeease spare me the indignation - just what did you expect from 'edgy art'!! Brains working at full speed there.

[gr8fuldaniel]

This artist has some stones. May even be even braver than he is smart. The guy may just get the notoriety all artists want. Even negative publicity can be profitable for an artist. As long as they dont lock him away without the advantage of an attorney, forever. Which our hideous government claims to have the "right" to do. This could be monumental. Just how fascist is America? If they "frame" this artist (pun intended) as a terrorist, its a huge step toward Orwells 1984 as reality.

Once they take away our Bill of Rights, do you think they will ever voluntarily return them?

[Lou Minotti]

Quote by: rcne I suppose it depends on which agenda you support in the name of Art. A pile of dog crap on a silver platter could be considered an artistic statement. So, what was the purpose of this Art? Hmmmm. Plaaeease spare me the indignation - just what did you expect from 'edgy art'!! Brains working at full speed there.

Huh? What on earth are you talking about? A pile of dog crap could be used to make a flaming bag of dog crap. This should obviously be banned and we should create a new Federal agency to combat this menace. The BTADC ( Bureau of Tasteless Art and Dog Crap). :rolleyes:

[gr8fuldaniel]

Marathon Model RJ-250SC Free Speech Zone for Art
(30 cubic yard capacity)

We will need a bigger model for the Statue of Liberty

I found this article on a conservative site when searching for a pic of a "Free Speech Zone"
The American Conservative

I'm thinking about registering Republican, so I can be a disgruntled Republican too.
I am ashamed of the Democrats I voted for (except Boxer, of course) for laying down when there was a fight to fight.

[rcne]

There are those who see conspiracy theories everywhere, then there are those who wonder how this is classified as art in the first place.

It is akin to standing in the public square and burring the flag. Then claiming harassment when the group comes up to the artist and .... well you figure it out.

It is 'press', and any press is good press. Look at the free advertising the art curator and artist have received by this 'edgy art'.

[Lou Minotti]

It is akin to standing in the public square and burring the flag. Then claiming harassment when the group comes up to the artist and .... well you figure it out.

Classified as art? :rolleyes: And so what if it is akin to burning a flag??? (which it isn't) Also note, The people doing the harrasment aren't FEDERAL AGENTS in your scenario. So, figure out what? What are you saying?

[gr8fuldaniel]

No comment from the right wing?

This kind of Patriot Act is not likely to happen since the left is largely non-violent.

I think losing Bush would be less tragic than losing our Constitution(Which is the goal of the other Patriot Act), we can always find another retard for president. How do you replace the Constitution once its gone?

[rcne]

Quote by: Lou Minotti Classified as art? :rolleyes: And so what if it is akin to burning a flag??? (which it isn't) Also note, The people doing the harrasment aren't FEDERAL AGENTS in your scenario. So, figure out what? What are you saying?

If you look at the art, it is nothing more than a repetitive poster of a picture of Bush with a Handgun superimposed coming from the side.

That and an edgy title makes it art? Political satire maybe; but I don't think of it as Art. Though, I admit art is subjective, I oft times wonder just what is the art in art.

I don't think the Federal Agents did any harassing in this case. I think this was and is a publicity stunt.

I produced the desired publicity for what it was intended. And raised another lame political intervention from those who desire raising issues.

I am more concerned with the legislative branch influenced by the executive branch passing a special amendment requiring the federal judicial to intervene in a state Judaical issue.

[castille]

If the art sells, I'm all for it. The free market, not government "State Art Judgement Councils", should have the right to decide what is good and bad art.

[gr8fuldaniel]

Retraction:
Earlier I said it looked like a left hand holding the gun.....Oooops! its a "Right" handed gunman.

Oh well, Live by the Bullett. Die by the Bullett. (Paraphrase from Bush's Bible)
I am not condoning such an action, I am just saying that the Bible seems to.

[a person]

first of all the Feds were clearly restricting the atists right to sell his art freely, it is less likely for someone to buy art if it is considered that the artist might be suspected by the government, Showing a pistol on dubyas head can hardly be considered warrant enough for the gov to interfere in the art market because it is not a threat to the safety of any citizens. It is more like threatening or sabotaging people into keeping their expression within the governmnet's parameters, the first step taken by any police state