Monday, October 19, 2009

Shepard Fairey: I Lied

Turns out Shepard Fairey did use AP's photo of Barack Obama for his famed Hope poster. When AP claimed Fairey used one of their images, he went to length and lie and delete evidence proving that he did use the picture. See our original post here. Tsk tsk.


Fairey still believes he has a case, arguing his work is protected under fair use. He believes that the image was altered enough that he can claim it as his. Well, that's fine - maybe he should've just stick to this argument in the first place instead of lying. His credibility is now in the gutters.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

McDonald's in The Louvre

In December, McDonald's will be opening a food court in the underground mall adjoining The Carrousel du Louvre. The Louvre is the world's most visited museum and France is McDonald's second largest market (next to the U.S.).. seems like a perfect match, yes?

Some people are having their disdained with a fast food chain next to high art. Something about mixing Mona Lisa with cheeseburger seems a bit strange. Thoughts?

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Naked Brooke Shields: Art or Child Pornography?

Photo by Garry Gross

An exhibition entitled "Spiritual America" by American artist Richard Prince was supposed to be displayed at Tate Modern, but Scotland Yard removed it, afraid that it would break obscenity laws. The object in question is the above picture, a naked 10-year-old Brooke Shields.

Garry Gross, a photographer from New York originally took the photo as part of a series entitled The Woman in the Child - a comparison of the adult woman in girls, or to show off the femininity in a young child. Gross was hired by Brooke Shields' mother to take pictures of her little girl (as a model), and even signed a contract giving him full rights to exploit the image.

Brooke Shields attempted legal actions to stop Gross from publicly displaying the photos but failed. However the multiple legal proceedings left Gross in financial burden and his reputation ruined. Richard Prince offered to buy the rights of the photos.

The photo was supposed to be a part of the Pop Life Exhibition in Tate Modern, but as stated previously, it was taken down by officials, afraid that the photo might be viewed sexually.

Honestly, whether it is art or not, I have to say I'm bit uncomfortable looking at the picture.

Yummy Body Part Art


The picture above probably speaks for itself.

A Thai art student sculpted, er.. baked.. realistic dismembered body parts out of bread. The son of a baker became fascinated with anatomy and decided to bake displays of human parts. Using dough, raisins, chocolate and other ingredients, this guy built "Body Bakery," the attraction that's being displayed and sold in Thailand.

I am particularly fascinated by the morbid nature of this piece, especially since I can hardly bake normal looking bread. Would you eat those heads?



Read the story here.