Banskies & Buttpaint

I was shocked with the controversy regarding an art teacher who was fired from a public school, because he also does some "free lance" paintings... using his derrière (and other body parts) as a stamp. I must say, that I don't find those paintings obscene, actually, they are not bad at all. I think there is even worse irreverent, obscene or creepier art (just look at Britney Spears giving birth). Suspending a teacher for provocative (or not) art, is another case for the Spanish inquisition! Well, they say that a picture or a painting (in this case a movie) says more than words:



I've always said that aesthetics is not about beauty, it can be about beauty, but some times it is about other messages: dead, war, sex, awareness, propaganda, rebellion, and all possible things that the artist wants to communicate. And those messages are not always about beauty and order, in fact, we often see more art that is about anarchy, rebellion and ugliness. Of course the media focuses on beauty, kitsch and perfection, just see how many shallow makeover shows are there.

In all human kind ages there has always been "conservative" or establishment art, and provocative art. Truth is, that in order to be actually provocative nowadays, you really have to take things to the next level. At least for me, the butt paintings are not provocative enough, or maybe I prefer the subtle irony, like Bansky's for example.

I don't know how to explain this, but maybe, it's because the provocation is in the medium, and there's no other apparent message or meaning, whereas I prefer a strong message where the medium, technique or mastery are not important. To put it in other words: when you read the newspaper (even if it is just to see the cartoons) the fact that it is printed on actual paper or it's on the screen of your computer, palm pilot or cell phone becomes irrelevant if you are used to electronic technologies. Some years ago, we were amazed by all that new technology. It had a WOW effect, but not anymore. Butt painting may have some level of WOW effect now, but we do not read the news papers on our computers or download them with avantgo just because it is "cool" or "wow" to read the news on a tiny small bit of screen.

So, which one is creepier: the giant cockroaches, or Paris Hilton's CD?

ciao