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Art exhibit draws fire for depiction of Muslims
Published: Friday, February 19th, 2010
Arab men holding machine guns stand in front of an image of Osama Bin Laden as a plane soars above them, in a collage hanging in the Bernstein Gallery in the basement of Robertson Hall. This piece of artwork is ...
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The Exhibit does not seem to be an attack on the Muslim religion, but rather a commentary on the violent political situation in the Middle East. The terrorists involved in the 9/11 plots were Muslim (though their views, arguably, constituted a highly distorted version of this religion). Nonetheless, the poster does not go out of its way to bring religion into the picture. When one searches for pictures of Bin Laden or Middle East terrorists, yes they will be dressed in an Arab-fashion, but showing one's disapproval for the atrocities these men commit does not make one Anti-Muslim.
This is a really interesting topic, though I feel like some of the things may have been exaggerated. Some of the quotes sounded way to scripted.
Is it being suggested that the images depict persons and events that never happened, and are thus defamatory? Or is is being suggested that some people might prefer that the images not be seen?
not the first time...woodrow wilson school had a similar, possibly even more inflammatory art up featuring Catholic devotional items in an exhibit called "Shackles of the Aids Virus." just food for thought.
Perception is everything. How exactly do we know those holding the AK-47's are "Arabs?" Perhaps they are members of the Mujahideen the majority of whom are not ethnic Arabs, or members of the Taliban almost none of whom are Arab. Perhaps they are Pakistanis or Kurds. None of these groups speak Arabic except when they pray but they all dress similarly and carry AK-47's and RPG's.
Too often we see immediately what we want to see and not what is really there or what the artist meant. This is why the polemic of art is in the mind of the beholder just as beauty finds itself hostage to the eye of the beholder. If you find that viewing a piece of art evokes a visceral response perhaps you should be exploring why you feel as you do since not all will share or understand your response. The fault lies not with the artist but with your perception of the art. If you have this response to a piece of art how then do you expect to rationally discuss solutions to the real problem with those who view it from a different perspective.
To be offended you must allow the offense to occur just as no one can control you unless you cede control. Perhaps we should learn to act more like Montaigne who advised that "unable to govern events, I govern myself."
it's art: it can be offensive. but i guess religious zealots wouldn't understand that.
Personally knowing many members of the Arab society, I can tell you that they are far from religious zealots. Some members are not even Muslim, and a few are even Atheists. I don't think it has anything to do with religion.
Art is typically reflective of societal conditions that exist when the work is produced. What is offensive here? The truth that 99% of the acts of terrorism in the world today are perpetrated by Muslims. The offended Muslim students should rather direct their efforts to criticizing harshly the insane and evil Muslim terrorists who wantonly slay innocents (most of them fellow Muslims) around the world, all in the name of Allah.
This exhibit is just a reflection of how much control the Jews now have at Princeton U; total control.
This art might not be offensive per se; I don't see that as the issue. This is the important point: these images were not just randomly plucked out of the sky, they are related to the political and religious struggle in the Middle East. This struggle is conceived in the art as being between Israelis and Muslims. By only showing art that makes a negative statement about Muslims, WWS has signaled a preference for the Israelis. I don't believe this is appropriate, given the atrocities committed on both sides (Given the superior capabilities and influence of the Jews, it is even more galling).