"How low an opinion I had of human wisdom and integrity when I was truly informed." ~Gulliver, 'Gulliver's Travels'.
isclaimer to start, since there undoubtedly will be a small group of Floridian's who are offended or otherwise upset their state has been mentioned in a negative light. Rest easy, you are not the focus of this blog. As Carly Simon sang, "You're so vain, I bet you think this song is about you." The small microcosm of Floridians who recently made the news when they fainted over actually getting Educated about the Classical Art of the Classical World when their Charter School had on the Curriculum for the school to teach about the Classical arts and then objected they were not informed about what the classics consisted of when it was clearly spelled out for them ahead of time. Our expectations for them to utilize the resources around them such as libraries, bookstores, museums and even electronic media are too much to place on such pious souls, whose Charter School is religious, private but still siphons off public funds out of the taxpayer's pockets. Do not fret my southern oppressive state, take hope. You are not alone in your antebellum attitude ways and eddies of stagnant waters of time. We have not forgot you and your brethren nor given up hope you will once again be included in the fold of humanity, though myself I have my doubts it would benefit humanity (or you) or improve the overall toxicity of humanity itself. Still, the prevailing thought is through the venom of the snake antivenom can be made to counteract the poison. So you will just have to content yourself with the presence of young King David (in all his splendid glory) being alive and well in his statuesque form world wide. Undoubtedly you would be offended greatly should I suggest to use your time on this earth wisley by "Go read a book", instead you would burn them across the nation is the swath of quagmire termed "The Bible Belt" which consequently is as far from the Bible as one can get. The mark of the beast is really confederate flags and tattoos and nazi wannabes throughout the nation. Sorry Florida, once again you are not unique in this. It seems the world doesn't revolve around you. But you can blame science on that fact, for not informing you personally that such a fact exists at all. You could have kept your children home and taught them the world is flat and the sun revolves the earth which is the center of the solar system, and given them "The Malleus Maleficarum" as their standard textbook.
xford Dictionary defines Pornography as "printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings." To understand why classical art (i.e. Statue of David or other works) doesn't fit this definition one has to learn about the artists of the classical period and the history of art itself. An easy feat as there is plenty of material written for all intellectual levels about Art in general or specific artists. The artistic world is culturally tied into humanity and civilization which is dependent upon it. Art builds empires and civilization, pornography does not (although I am sure some would disagree). It is not surprising the human body has become a subject of controversy, psychologically people have struggled with their own perceptions and taboos regarding sexuality and eventually woven it into their systems of power so it really isn't about sexuality anymore but about control and the legal definitions of where control starts or ends. In 1992 Italy, an 18 year old was raped during a driving lesson and the rapist was convicted on indecent exposure. The victim appealed the charge which resulted in a full rape charge, but the rapist appealed on the grounds the jeans were so tight, the victim had to participate by removing them herself and therefore consent was granted. In 1998, the Italian Supreme Court ruled, "it is a fact of common experience that it is nearly impossible to slip off tight jeans even partly without the active collaboration of the person who is wearing them." 2008 the decision was overturned and the Denim Defense was done away with. One may think this is quite the stretch, the Denim Defense and the objection of a three parents over a picture of the sculpture of David being related. However, both illustrate how one views sexaulity has repercussions and can hide behind issues which are not the real source of concern, especially in the context of a religious community unable to grapple effectively with it's own projections and insecurities. The purpose of a school is to teach and when that genuinely happens then of course there will be objecting parents because the real issue is about control, not about Art. Minus the art lessons the parent(s) would have found some other issue to take offense at because religious organizations teach they will be persecuted for their beliefs and so go out of their way to make that happen because it is built into the organization to initiate conflict. The evangelical fundamentalist sees the world as their enemy and as such approaches it in that manner.
or many, the artist poses a threat to their internalized world. "The Conspiracy of Claudius Civilis" by Rembrandt was not well received by those who commissioned the painting, because it did not set the right tone for their politics nor was the accuracy of the subject matter well appreciated especially since the picture would have occupied a central position in the New Amsterdam Council Hall which was also being visited by the Pope, and there was not a naked body to be seen in the painting. However one simply has to walk through any of the Italian cities (Rome or otherwise) and be hard pressed not to encounter unclothed sculptures of both male and female figures, god/goddesses as well as humans alike and including in the Cathedrals themselves. Italy has not seen it necessary to put out a global warning to the world's parents that a visitation could result in exposure to nude statues and works of art. Nor has any other country for that matter. There was an era of where attempts to create fig leaves for all works of art was underway, but that era ended as misguided and in a whimper of failure to repress and rewrite what didn't need to be repressed or rewritten. Lest one think this is just an isolated incident, it must be pointed out Florida has been among the more active states involved in promoting censorship of books, music and other works of art and such roots are invasive and extremely difficult to get rid of, not to mention an embarrassment as this sets the tone for a global view of the U.S. in general. If one does not believe this, there is a greater depth of naivete or ignorance than I gave credit for. If I was the school's fired principle, I would be taking Italy up on the offer to visit and meet the Curators of the museum and city. How can we in good conscience tall the world we are the champions of justice and all that is good when we allow such actions upon our own soil, when we let the religious factions dictate governmental action? Perhaps I am being too unkind, and should bend to the notion of clothing all works and repainting any with questionable subject matter? This might include the removal of all garishly done crucifixion icons where figures are covered in blood, straining in agony and all in every detail of torture demanding a central position in the house of worship. Let the children see these in detail, afterall they are taught the figure is in such as state because of them. It is their fault their saviors suffers so. Maybe in a creative act someone will place a spigot in the cross and during communion let the wine flow from the spigot into the communion chalice while the priest intones "Behold, this is my blood which I have shed." And the communion wafers arranged in the form of a body which the wafers are taken and fed to the congregation. "Eat for this is my flesh." This may seem satirical or even disrespectful, but there is someone out there who will eventually do something like this. Perhaps a parent or two in Florida?
hrouded in the mist slowly creeping through the forest, one could hear the movement of the fog if they carefully listened and sat still. It permeated every hiding spot, every den, every hole and crack in the rocks. It even managed to slip behind the waterfalls and just below the surface of the streams. Tangled in the shrubs and berry bushes, it patiently floated through and continued on its secret destination entwining itself among the farmer's crops and between the boards of the barns and stables. Village streets gave it an avenue to play, sometimes rolling along and sometimes teasing along closed doors or windows, hoping for a chance to get inside and visit with the mice, house faeries and children. The hearths themselves were warm with embers or a fire already in the making, but it did not deter the mists persistence who even braved the blacksmith's forge and bellows. The opening of a shutter or window result in the mist curling in upon itself and them light leaping forward to make it inside where it faded into a brief sparkling shower of light, its passing a gentle kiss upon the cheek or playful lifting of the locs of hair upon ones ears or head. Playful and purposeful on the journey it was on, its own time to the destination where moonlight and sunlight met and magic was born of the wind. It would return to the village with the enchantment, but not this time.
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