Offensive, or simply art?

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/35vhoro

The artist says "I want to shock", has he succeeded?

Should this 'art work' be removed from display?

Could it be just as upsetting as those 'Allah cartoons'?

Do Muslims believe in Angels?

Yet another Muslim artist in trouble, this time by her own believers.

http://tinyurl.com/2vn8szl

[bednobs]

meant to say, i dont find it offensive, but i wasn't involved.

[MickyMacgraw]

Agreed Zeuhl, if the artist could see this thread he's be rubbing his hands in glee!

[B00]

Why does art have to shock? Why can't it simply be beautiful?

[ummmm]

It's cradling something. It could be male or female...

Zeuhl.....Yes I do think art should be able to address such issues. Just not displayed in a window a mile from where it happened.

So maybe offensive is the wrong word. More insensitive.

[bednobs]

so what distanc would be ok then? 1.5 miles? 10 miles?

[MickyMacgraw]

Boring-No interest, no one knows it exists
Shocking-media coverage, everyone knows about it and is a talking point at watercoolers everywhere=Plenty of £££

[China Doll]

Because art is also used to reflect the times we live in so not all art will be beautiful because we don't live in beautiful times. I think if art just showed beauty it would be boring... And we probably wouldn't be having this conversation. I like a nice picture as much as the next person, but I'd be more interested in a picture that has something to say as well.

Art has a history of shocking etc... It's part of the culture I think. Literature, satire etc.. all various types of art. Just subjective whether it's your bag or not I guess.

[steg]

i think it would maybe be a bit more offensive if it had been a christian that had painted it and not a muslim

[MickyMacgraw]

umm it's male, how can I tell you wonder, the arm and shoulders muscle tone.

[Zeuhl]

it doesn't need to shock Boo - but interrupting and engaging with us is good too if it has something to say about human experience other than 'look at this it's pretty and soothing'.

The galleries are full of work that is beautiful and work that gives us that 'jolt' the artist here refers to. Picasso's picture of Guernica is incredibly moving; 70 years on, nobody seems to accuse him of exploiting the thousands of people killed there.
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[ummmm]

Bednobs...no amount of distance. It just shouldn't be displayed in the window.

I'll give you that then Micky...one Male.

[B00]

We'll have to agree to disagree then Zeuhl :-)

[Zeuhl]

umm

yes, it's always 'sensitive' when events are recent and close by - inevitable i suppose.

The people directly affected will be sensitive of course, though i would have thought this depiction is the least of their issues.

And this work doesn't actually set out to discredit or criticise them.
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[Zeuhl]

Boo

Don't worry - I won't buy you a print for xmas :-)
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[ummmm]

I do like the picture though...can you see what looks like a bum in the clouds? sitting on the bus directly next to the first 'soul'

[NOX]

The point of this art is exactly what's happening here- we're all viewing it differently and talking about it- that's what art is supposed to do- it's supposed to commentate on the situaiton in the world, in society and in our own heads and draw debate. I personally don't find it offensive and no I don't think it ought to be removed- people are entitled to their own opinions, this artists is just voicing his.

[Zeuhl]

Do you like pert bottoms ummm?

No don't answer, i'll come over all unnecessary.
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[Zeuhl]

Goodness me!

I've just checked pictures of the 7/7 bus.
It actually did have the words "Outright terror bold and brilliant" on the advertising panel.
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[Zeuhl]

pixi LOL

Yes she does really, but her twin sisters Hot and Bothered love it!
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