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Art project stirs controversy

  2. jcwelker
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Amy Burrow, a senior at Independence, Missouri's Truman High School, is causing controversy with a project she did for her '3-D Art Class' which involves a glass school showcase featuring the words "Love Conquers All" over a collage of anti-gay propaganda designed to look similar to that used by Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church.

Lca2KCTV reports: "She spent two weeks working on the project for her 3D art class. She was at the school until 10 p.m. Thursday, keeping the project a secret from students until Friday morning...Burrow had created other controversial work at school about abortion, smoking, and all of it, including Friday's project, was approved by the art teacher and the school principal, she said. 'I was just in shock of something being able to happen like this, that our principal would allow this to happen,' said Chris Wilson, a student."

Said Burrow: "I'm happy actually, because at least it involved thought. At least it got them to stop and look at it. People stop me in the hallways and tell me, 'Amazing job. Good job. I love it,' and then other people have said, 'I can't believe that's allowed. That's ridiculous."
jcwelker

27 responses // Art project stirs controversy

  • i think its a great project. i dont understand how something like that causes such a big deal. as great as the message that the project is illustrating is, i think people forget about the art aspect of it. its a beautiful piece of art and people need to back off of it lol.
    mashton237
  • http://www.heapofbirds.com/
    Image...
    TouchArt
  • This shouldn't be a controversy.
    Joydejavu17
  • Good for her though. Love does conquer.
    Joydejavu17
  • A lot of things shouldn't be controversial, but they are. I would imagine that it's things like this that while "controversial" now, will be the things that change the world. If George Carlin swearing on stage can change the use of language in the performance arts, I am sure this will raise some questions too.
    AceHardchester
  • watch this comment being used here
    I agree, something like this shouldn't be controversial, but unfortunately or maybe fortunately it is. It's not great art nor is it original but I enjoy sociological commentary like this as a way to record the moral standards of our time, for future generations.

    but anything given the right media-biased coverage can become "controversial".
    Menchaca
  • Art is the way of expression and communication. whatever the response intentional or not,that is something that can not be controled. Your job was to get this subject matter open to conversation and thats what you have done. you got their attention. inspirations and misunderstanding will always be around. the point is you were brave enough to start the convo. the rest is up to the people if they wish to respond back.

    art can still shock, thats a good thing.
    mlgdigital
  • Reminds me of when I went to Cabrillo College in Soquel, CA and I did project for a 3D animation class that had animated 3D text of a William Blake quote

    "Art can never exist without Naked Beauty displayed"

    over a background of landscapes, classical nude paintings and Playboy images.

    I got suspended for sexual harrassment because Radical Feminists objected to it
    Argon18
  • What she did is great.
    GraphicTheEnemy
  • I can only imagine that Missouri is a very conservative place... I don't think this would get the same reaction in the UK.
    lwhi
  • Keep the good work girl! Tons of inspiration for your future :-)
    Velcro
  • Why should this be a controversy? Just like anyone else with different beliefs can express themselves so can she. I commend her for speaking her mind and putting forth her beliefs.

    Great job and I hope she continues to speak out.
    naty_forty
  • If artistic expression such as this is ever silenced as a result of the conservative mind, then ultimately, we will have truly lost ourselves.

    "Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds." - Albert Einstein
    L42
    • L42
    • 3 months ago
  • On Friday, April 25, 2008. my school will be supporting a protest similar to this. Many kids from my school will remain silent in to signify the silence of those who are bullied and harrassed because they are gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual. The students who participate will not speak for the whole day and will hand all their teachers a slip explaining why. An announcement from one of our pricipals has already been made informing our teachers that this will be allowed and/or supported.

    --Jade
    addctd2whticnsay
  • watch this comment being used here
    good art is supposed to make you think...and this does.
    mal_mal
  • Why is this controversial? I don't get it.
    phoenix_fire999
  • "love conquers all"- from the canterbury tales
    katharinekov
  • i think its creative, beautiful, and has a great point...people shouldnt be offended by this
    ceceilia8671
  • Take a stand and tell the world what you think, that takes courage and with that courage you can change the world.
    Dahlia_Kai
  • brilliant!

    controversy is the cornerstone of great art.

    its like a little Guernica in Missouri!)
    blackdaylight
  • First of all, Im confused on what makes this art? And its obviously controversial because there is no direct interpretation of its purpose. If i saw this in a hall way, I would think it was anti-gay religious propaganda. Im not sure one where this student is taking her "vision"
    lifterbaron
  • I feel like this entire project was a joke. Yes, it involved thought, but the composition itself is horrific - this isn't art. This is an attempt for a student to stir controversy and get attention from her classmates and forums like this.
    AlienSexist
  • This is controversial because it's in a Missouri high school. This is a conservative state where if you're of a different race, religion or sexual orientation, you're a second class citizen in the eyes of many. Open mindedness has yet to reach a good portion of the Show Me state.
    starbuck23
  • Good point, Starbuck. What may not be controversial in one state may still be in another. That's why this kind of art is still important.

    Aliensexist - yes, this student was trying to get attention -- Attention for a worthy cause that is! Going against the bigotry and inequality in her conservative home state is truly commendable indeed! If everyone was as courageous as her, think how much better the world would be.

    phoenix_fire999
  • @Starbuck23, I'm from Indiana, so I know what it's like to be an art student in a conservative state - a state where gay people are demonic and all Hispanics are illegal. In my opinion this is not art in the least, thus it should not have been put up in the first place. It's a billboard with poor typography and a horrid color scheme.

    @phoenix_fire999, you're naive.
    AlienSexist
  • I don't think there's such a thing as bad art unless it's something with no substance, no feeling or a story.This has substance, feeling, and a story.this is, in fact, art.Some people may not like some types of art, but it is art, none the less.color scheme and typography are for know-it-all fat heads.No offense, AlienSexist, but I don't really agree with you, and I've been studying art practically since I left the womb.
    punk_as_hell

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