Plug ugly

(Japan Times)

 

"Created by Paul McCarthy, an American artist, as part of his exhibition Chocolate Factory, the installation is officially described as a Christmas tree. Social media wags, however, have suggested that it looks more like something rude (ask your mother)," says Ellen E Jones in the Independent on Sunday.

 

1. I don't know why it is your mother you'd have to ask. If Ms Jones can't tell the difference between a dildo and a butt plug she may not be as sophisticated as she pretends.

 

2. It's not a commentator's jest: the resemblance to the latter is entirely intended by the artist. Here he is in Le Monde:

 

"As the bright green plastic canvas "tree" is completing its installation beside the Vendôme column (the most phallic monument in Paris), we interviewed the artist, who specialises in disturbing and provocative works, about the nature of his piece.

 

""It all started with a joke: Originally, I thought that an anal plug had a shape similar to the sculptures of Brancusi. Afterwards, I realized that it looked like a Christmas tree. But it is an abstract work. People can be offended if they wish in relating to the plug, but for me it is more of an abstraction.""

 

Not entirely surprising, then that he got punched in the face and that the guy ropes were cut, so that the "artwork" had to be deflated. He had indeed "disturbed and provoked".

 

(Japan Times)

How much longer will we have to endure cheap stunts justified by highfalutin' nonsense and boosted by a louche and jaded commercial commentariat? Is there really no distinction between art and a smoking-room joke?


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