Bush monkey portrait sparks protests

[Czar]

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsA...ews&storyID=638021

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A portrait of President George W. Bush using monkeys to form his image has led to the closure of a New York art exhibition over the weekend and anguished protests over freedom of expression.

"Bush Monkeys," a small acrylic on canvas by Chris Savido, created the stir at the Chelsea Market public space, leading the market's managers to close down the 60-piece show that was scheduled to stay up for the next month.

The show featured art from the upcoming issue of Animal Magazine, a quarterly publication featuring emerging artists.

"We had tons of people, like more than 2,000 people show up for the opening on Thursday night," said show organizer Bucky Turco. "Then this manager saw the piece and the guy just kind of flipped out. 'The show is over. Get this work down or I'm gonna arrest you,' he said. It's been kind of wild."

Turco took the show down on Saturday and moved the art work to his small downtown Animal Gallery. Calls to the management of Chelsea Market for comment were not returned.

From afar, the painting offers a likeness of Bush, but when you get closer you see the image is made up of chimpanzees or monkeys swimming in a marsh.

Savido, 23, said he was surprised by the strong reaction to his painting, listed in the catalogue at $3,500 (1,820 pounds).

"It seems like people got a kick out of it," Savido said. "When they really see it, they almost do a double-take. I like to get a reaction from people."

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-bred artist said he was happy for all the attention paid to his work but said the decision to shutter the exhibit was "a blatant act of censorship."

Savido plans to auction the painting and donate proceeds to an organization dedicated to freedom of expression.

"This is much deeper than art. This is fundamental American rights, freedom of speech," Savido said. "To see that something like this can happen, especially in a place like New York City is mind boggling and scary."

© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.

 

[Genx87]

Savido, 23, said he was surprised by the strong reaction to his painting, listed in the catalogue at $3,500 (1,820 pounds).

Sure he was, that is why he did it right?

So is this a public show or a private? It sounded like it was a private show on public property?

 

[imported_Aelius]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Savido, 23, said he was surprised by the strong reaction to his painting, listed in the catalogue at $3,500 (1,820 pounds).

Sure he was, that is why he did it right?

So is this a public show or a private? It sounded like it was a private show on public property?

What's your point.

If it's on private property the owner can do whatever the heck he wants.

If it's on public property then it's a rights violation by someone going on a power trip. I see it sometimes at work, which is not surprising considering I work for the government. It doesn't make it right either way.

 

[Genx87]

What's your point.

If it's on private property the owner can do whatever the heck he wants.

If it's on public property then it's a rights violation by someone going on a power trip. I see it sometimes at work, which is not surprising considering I work for the government. It doesn't make it right either way.

What do you think my point is?

Private show = people running it can do whatever they please. No freedom of expression applies here.

 

[Czar]

"Then this manager saw the piece and the guy just kind of flipped out.

"this", kinda fuzzy on whose manager he is

 

[imported_Aelius]

Originally posted by: Genx87

What's your point.

If it's on private property the owner can do whatever the heck he wants.

If it's on public property then it's a rights violation by someone going on a power trip. I see it sometimes at work, which is not surprising considering I work for the government. It doesn't make it right either way.

What do you think my point is?

Private show = people running it can do whatever they please. No freedom of expression applies here.

My point is you weren't very clear.

EDIT: As noted above it's not clear either way. Who is this guy telling them to take it down?

 

[glugglug]

They should have told the guy to go ahead and have them arrested. There is no justification for why they would be. And if there was enough idiocy involved that they DID get arrested for showing the picture, the publicity would make it worth millions.

 

[DealMonkey]

Were they naked monkeys? Because if they were, I can totally understand the reaction. :roll:

 

[43st]

I think the Chelsea Market public area is city owned. Giuliani tried to legislate public displayed art that he didn't like also, he didn't get too far with that campaign. A bit to Nazi-esc for NYC but it's been attempted here multiple times in the past.

 

[Moonbeam]

This would be offensive to the Chimp to portray him as a monkey.

 

[KidViciou$]

this is ridiculous, what's next, coverin up David because it's indecent???

let's get ready for the censorship police to emerge, i like the sound of that, Secretary of Censorship

 

[arsbanned]

I think it's a slap in the face to monkeys everywhere.