Crowds Amused by Naked Balloon Sculpture [what is art?]

AP via MyWay News ^ | 5/10/07 | Colleen Barry

[verum ago]

MILAN, Italy (AP) - It would take one very large fig leaf to restore modesty to Milan's main park after the installation of a 70-foot floating sculpture of a naked man. The balloon self-portrait by Polish artist Pawel Althamer has been hovering outside the Renaissance Palazzina Appiani in Parco Sempione since Monday, drawing second takes, amused looks and some reprobation about exposing children to nudity.

[snip]

"This wouldn't fly in the U.S.," observed 31-year-old American Adriana Spatafora, an English language teacher passing by.

[verum ago]

Yeah, I know, it's a somewhat dubious post. But it raised a few questions in my mind that I'm interested in getting to know some FReepers' opinions on:
1) What is art, and what is obscenity? Can something be both?
2) Would this fly in the US?
3)Hypothetical question: if your answer to #2 is no, then suppose it's a balloon depicting a naked Jesus. Does your answer change?
4) What is appropriate for display in public places (what should be kept in a private art gallery?)? Who decides and how? Is it a matter of free speech?
and finally, another hypothetical question:
5) If something is agreed upon by a town's residents as being obscene but attracts visitors (and therefore revenue for the town), is it in the town's best interest to allow it or even subsidize it? Does it depend on the magnitude of the material benefit to the town, or is it always/never okay? (Is it a matter of principal or degree?)

[Rio]

don’t even want to know where they blow the air in. nope.

[tet68]

This thread is worthless without.....

[toast]

If thats art, the Macy’s parade must be heaven.

[theFIRMbss]

[Reaganesque]

Imagine the size of the woman who bought this blow up toy!

[verum ago]

This thread is worthless without.....

see post #5

actually, I like posting my threads without pictures just to see how long it takes for people to compulsively post them. And to see how many times the exact same picture gets posted.

[Osage Orange]

Reminds me of the time...I went to the L.A. Art museum with my little 5 year old sister....and my mom.

My mom and I both noticed this statue of a naked man doing a handstand at about the same time...and my little sister screams out.."LOOK AT THE BIG BALLS!" as she runs by us...to a huge modern art sculpture of a racked set of billiard balls.

Twas funny....

[colorado tanker]

Well, I suppose it's art in the same sense that singing bawdy songs in a tavern is music.

The fact that so many people have no notion of what is fine art and can't distinguish it from the pedestrian or even from depictions that used to identify brothels is just another proof that Western Civilization is in an advance state of decay. For centuries people had no problem telling the difference.

[stuartcr]

Since it’s totally subjective, I’m sure it can be both...but probably not to the same person.

No

No

Depends on where and when and what

[martin_fierro]

IT IS BALLOON Ping

[tet68]

Why would they make a balloon sculpture of Hillery! laying on her back?

My eyes aren’t as good as they once were. but I’d know those
saggy breasts anywhere.