Hirst sorry for praising September 11 hijackers (HOLD MUH BEER, IT'S ART ALERT)

The Daily Telegraph ^ | September 19, 2002 | The Daily Telegraph

[MadIvan]

Damien Hirst has apologised unreservedly for congratulating the September 11 hijackers on a "visually stunning" work of art.

Thanks to pressure from some New York art dealers no doubt - Ivan

The British artist, famous for displaying animals in formaldehyde, said he was sorry if he upset families of the victims by calling the terror attacks "an art work in its own right".

Proving yet again he wouldn't know real art if it bit his bum off. - Ivan

He said on the eve of last week's first anniversary of the New York and Washington attacks: "Of course, it's visually stunning and you've got to hand it to them on some level because they've achieved something which nobody would have ever have thought possible - especially to a country as big as America.

And people say the use of illegal narcotics has no long term effects; well maybe in comparison to what being a pretentious prat can do - Ivan

"So on one level they kind of need congratulating, which a lot of people shy away from, which is a very dangerous thing."

Dangerous only if you say that to someone outside of Hampstead or Greenwich Village you prat; just another left wing altar boy, paying homage at the Church of Socialism - Ivan

But today he issued a statement through his Science Ltd company backing down and saying he in no way condoned terrorism.

Hirst said: "Concerning statements I made about the atrocities committed by terrorists on September the 11th, I feel it is important to make my feelings clear.

"As a human being and artist living in the civilised world, I value human life above all else and abhor all acts of terrorism and murder.

Unless it's "visually stunning" apparently. - Ivan

"I apologise unreservedly for any upset I have caused, particularly to the families of the victims of the events on that terrible day.

Translation: "I made even left wing art dealers in New York upset, and so they'll invite me to cocktail parties in the future, I hope you'll ignore that I'm a pompous idiot." - Ivan

"I in no way condone terrorism of any kind and I deeply regret any offence caused by the misrepresentation of my thoughts and feelings."

Translation: "I'm sorry that people found out what a total git I am." - Ivan

[MadIvan]

I've commented heavily - I'll just add that for me art pretty much stopped at Impressionism. This fellow's only impression is one of a vague resemblance to a human being.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[areafiftyone]

[Mo1]

Hirst said: "Concerning statements I made about the atrocities committed by terrorists on September the 11th, I feel it is important to make my feelings clear.

Ummm .. I feel it is important to make my feelings clear to Mr. Hirst ...

Bite Me

[Warren]

Would prefer he apologize from a Siberian Gulag.

[OldFriend]

No doubt his cohorts were secretly cheering him on for his original statements.

[glock rocks]

naw. gitmo.

[1john2 3and4]

At one time, I felt vaguely uncomfortable with my feelings/response to "modern art" (including impressionism). "Am I just not 'getting it'?" Then I was given a book by a very wonderful sculptor, "Modern Art and the Death of a Culture", and though it was somewhat of a laborious read for me, it was well worth it.
Validates and documents the "why" (I'm not "with it").
Keyword: Non-representational art
Good scholarly & hisrorical description of how we have come to "this pass" in art.
A great reflection and indictment of shallow-brained poseurs such as Hirst.
enjoy ivan!

[contessa machiaveli]

ivan, is he known as a charlatan in british art circles? many art dealers fawn over his animal entrails in the US. in my opinion he's disgusting and not to be taken seriously.

[Warren]

Any chance of moving gitmo to Siberia?

[1john2 3and4]

Sept 11-Inspired Sculpture sparks outrage in Manhattan
hmmmmm, im new here, so apologize for any "repeat" posting.
that thread included a comment by "alouette" ;
"I am also an artist. For my "Sept. 11" memorial work of art, I want to display a copy of the Koran in a bucket of urine, next to a life size sculpture of Mohammed humping a goat.
Where can I get government funding for this work of art?"
I'm STILL laffin about that....
enjoy!

[Redleg Duke]

I still say we ought to drive a friggin' railroad spike through this bastard's forehead and into the white painted line on Broadway and call it "Art"!

Yeah, Ivan, I hold a grudge!

[Happygal]

just another left wing altar boy, paying homage at the Church of Socialism

Amen, Fr. Ivan from the Church of Common Sense ;-)

[weegee]

He didn't do enough of a backpedal:

"So on one level they kind of need congratulating, which a lot of people shy away from, which is a very dangerous thing."

Dangerous only if you say that to someone outside of Hampstead or Greenwich Village you prat; just another left wing altar boy, paying homage at the Church of Socialism - Ivan

But today he issued a statement through his Science Ltd company backing down and saying he in no way condoned terrorism.

Hirst said: "Concerning statements I made about the atrocities committed by terrorists on September the 11th, I feel it is important to make my feelings clear.

His apology is along the lines of Bill Clinton's, "I'm sorry that you don't have the mental capabilities to understand what I said..."

[MadIvan]

ivan, is he known as a charlatan in british art circles? many art dealers fawn over his animal entrails in the US. in my opinion he's disgusting and not to be taken seriously.

Contessa:

There is a certain scene that takes him seriously, but the wider public thinks Damien Hirst = Dead Animals, not Art. Of course that scene regards the rest of us as philistines. On the other hand, I happen to love 19th century art, and so I regard Mr. Hirst as a barbarian. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Amen, Fr. Ivan from the Church of Common Sense ;-)

In nomine Patre, et Filli, et Spiritu Sancte, Amen. ;)

Regards, Father Ivan

[MadIvan]

I still say we ought to drive a friggin' railroad spike through this bastard's forehead and into the white painted line on Broadway and call it "Art"!

The piece should be entitled "Roadkill" or "Justice". ;)

Yeah, Ivan, I hold a grudge!

I don't blame you one bit.

Regards, Ivan

[Happygal]

Suppose you expect to hear my confession now too..huh? ;-)

[MadIvan]

Suppose you expect to hear my confession now too..huh? ;-)

Why, do you have a lot of sins to get off your chest? ;)

Regards, Ivan

[Happygal]

Let he who has not sinned (and rather lunatic Muslims) cast the first stone ;-)