Quote:
Originally Posted by Ea
Basically you are saying that you know how to properly offend the image of, for example, the Virgin Mary, but that artists who attempt to do so don't "get it"? And are thus not real artists, because they somehow fail on your POV...
Also, you are apparently saying that the offensive artists aren't really making an artistic statement, but are only seeking media attention and are not really serious about what they do (but apparently you know).
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No, what I'm saying (using my example of the statue of Mary) is not that I know how to be "properly offensive" (an oxymoron if ever there was one) better than others. What I am saying is that the target of the artist's ire is misdirected. Instead of digging deeper into the reason for his rage/anger/whatever that is propelling the creation of the artwork, he/she is taking the easy out and the sure means of obtaining free publicity.
Anyone can pick up a handful of shit and throw it on a religious icon. To me, that is not art. Showing worshipers made of shit kneeling at the statue shows me the point the artist is trying to make. I may not agree with that representation, but it will make me think WHY the artist created that artwork. A statue with a piece of shit on it; heck, pigeons create that everyday - are they artists?
And yes, I think that most artists who set out to deliberately "offend" one group or another with their artwork do it for publicity - IF their obvious message is merely to smear a religion without any underlying note of slyness, comedy, irony, or reason. For example, the Buddy Christ image - it is definitely making fun of Catholicism but there is a truth behind it: glorifying a act of crucifixion is just plain weird. Believers don't normally think twice about it, but when you look at the Buddy Christ it makes you
think about why we worship what we do without thought.
Color me cynical but there are a lot more unrecognized artists out there with bills to pay than there are recognized ones with unpaid bills; if an artist is the center of a controversy, publicity follows and there are always some patrons willing to fund someone who causes a political/religious stir. If I was starving for my art, I would be looking for ways to get my work noticed and distinguish myself from the herd.
It is very easy to claim to be making an artistic statement; whether it actually is one or not is quite another story. Just because a person is self-described as an artist does not make all their output "art".