The Marvalus View » Blog Archive » Commentary: Umm, This Is Art?!?

I came across this unbelievable and downright disturbing story on one of the blogs that I visit on the regular (Black Snob) and I had to say something.

Not only does it cross the line with Senator Barack Obama and his family, but also with Senator Hillary Clinton (I can go back to saying her name now…it’s all good). The exhibit, displaying the names “The Assassination of Hillary Clinton/The Assassination of Barack Obama” was set up in a store front in Midtown Manhattan last week and the Secret Service and NYPD quickly came and shut it down. They took the artist in for questioning, but he was released later.

According to an article in the New York Times, the artist, Yazmany, had this to say:

“It’s art. It’s not supposed to be harmful. It’s about character assassination — about how Obama and Hillary have been portrayed by the media.” He added, “It’s about the media.”

I am linking to his Web site only so you can see the travesty that is this. I am offended, as a mother, as a Black person, and as a woman.

Here is the Obama display…

And here is the Clinton one…

After you see them, let me know what you think in the comments…

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Viewing 11 Comments

cooper 06/10/2008 01:12 AM 1 point
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I had to follow the liks to understand it all. It turns out the whole history he has is a fraud. I 'm not particularly fond of censoring art, whether I think it art or not but on looking at this guys stuff he has not gallery he really did no shows he lied about that I have a sneaking suspicion he did this for more that just attention, but that he did this to play on racial stereotypes thus garnering himself a group if fans somewhere along the lines.

I would not have been offended had this really been about what he said it was about but after looking through further links I am rather appalled.

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http://wonderlandornot.net

Clnmike 06/10/2008 01:57 AM 1 point
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I dont know it's not like these were not said, hinted at or implied by every one during the running.

I dont look at it as art but more of a plea for attention and money.

It's knid of hard for me to get worked up about this one.

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Marvalus 06/10/2008 11:04 AM 1 point
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@cooper - I read some more about this dude, and came to the same conclusion that he did it to garner some fans...there was a way this could have been done to get his point across without the use of some of the images he used...some of that shit was downright ignorant and offensive.

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Marvalus 06/10/2008 11:06 AM 1 point
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@Clnmike - You are right about the attention plea, and the money thing...I don't think it came from anywhere else...

I'm just appalled that anyone could take this to this level...what is the point?

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Believer 1964 06/10/2008 11:28 AM 1 point
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Obama's doesn't compare to Hillary's bashing. Art is an interpretation of the artist's view. I can see that this artist, like most "push the envelope" [stretch the boundaries]. *shaking my head*

At first, I didn't realize that you had to choose next and boy was I in for a surprise.

This is a must for my Blog Safari this week.

Thanks for informing us!

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http://ruhoffman.blogspot.com/

Marvalus 06/10/2008 12:31 PM 1 point
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@Believer 1964 - I had quite the surprise myself upon clicking "next"... :oops:

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Danielle 06/10/2008 12:49 PM 1 point
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Stupid, ridiculous attention seeking behavior. Period. No artistic value whatsoever. His choice of "assasination" does not escape me considering the fears that so many have w/respect to Sen. Obama. Triflin and irresponsible.

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http://blackkool.blogspot.com/

R.L.Scovens 06/10/2008 01:25 PM 1 point
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Both exhibits are horrible. The artist only did it for attention. It's absolutely uncalled for! Why does art have to be at someone's expense?

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http://rlscovens.blogspot.com

Urban Thought 06/10/2008 02:16 PM 1 point
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I believe many of us said in the beginning of the campaign that folks such as this artist would come out the woodwork. This could have been done better. I realize art is about expression without boundaries but considering the climate of which we live and the subject matter, the project could have been executed differently.

As some of your readers have said, "this is for attention only." It isn't about art.

People are nuts and good thing the Secret Service and NYPD were there to crack them.

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http://blog.urbanobservation.com

Clnmike 06/10/2008 08:02 PM 1 point
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"People are nuts and good thing the Secret Service and NYPD were there to crack them."

NYPD? Aint a damn thing good about that! :twisted:

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Sharon 06/10/2008 08:13 PM 1 point
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I have seen the Obama one on many blogs. I don't really understand the man's point. I believe that man was just trying to get some attention. Sadly, he is getting what he wants so, many others will soon pop-up.

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