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Festival of filth and wagging tongues

POLITICIANS should keep out of art. Kevin Rudd all but ruined his new-found cachet with the artistic community last week by declaring that photographer Bill Henson's work was "revolting".

This is an offence, and a serious one; up there with liking Andrew Lloyd Webber, or not knowing who Patrick White is.

No wonder, then, that when the PM appeared in Parliament's mural hall yesterday to unveil an artwork by Gemma Black commemorating the national apology, he kept things fairly formal. "As a reminder of the apology, we have before us of course this magnificent calligraphic manuscript on vellum or calfskin," he informed his audience, without venturing any opinion at all on the likely effect of the piece upon young minds.

Safe ground.

Elsewhere in the House, however, a new and fiery artistic critic found his voice. Brendan Nelson knows a bit about art, and he knows what he likes. He likes full-length portraits of Neville Bonner (he has two), and stadium rock gigs.

It turns out he does not like bawdy comedy revues with songs about a bloke "having his cock stroked at a medium pace".

We know this because he created something of a fuss yesterday about the Labor candidate for Gippsland, one Darren McCubbin, who as artistic director of the Waterwater Arts Festival last year brought just such a show to Gippsland. The show was called The Beautiful Losers, and featured blue language as well as a flyer with an inflatable sex doll on it, which was too much for Nelson yesterday.

"Mr Rudd needs to say whether he believes the Labor candidate for Gippsland, having promoted this kind of show, is the person he wants to represent the people of Gippsland," the Opposition Leader foamed.

Rudd kept his peace. A man of his recent experience in the strip-club world does not venture unnecessarily into even the most academic of discussions about blow-up sex toys.

Indeed, it was surprising to hear Nelson himself hurl the first stone, given that after the revelation last year of Rudd's adventures at the Scores club in New York, Nelson was one of the few MPs who confessed to past patronage of similar establishments.

Unfortunately for Nelson, it turns out that McCubbin's festival of filth enjoyed federal funding last year from the Coalition's Regional Arts Fund. McCubbin himself was appointed by the Howard government to the chairmanship of the Festivals Australia Committee last year, on the strength of his "extensive experience in regional arts and festivals".

And as if that weren't enough, it turns out that another festival commissioned the Beautiful Losers show - the Melbourne Comedy Festival, whose directors include the Victorian Liberal leader, Ted Baillieu.

Source: smh.com.au

Posted By: Annabel Crabb on 27/05/2008 1:57:13 PM | Comments (14)

Comments

Date: Newest first | Oldest first

Spot on. I am a citizen of the oft derided sub-species of OZtralians who inhabit the 'arts' biosphere, all but isolated from the alleged "common 'straaalian"; and I have to admit to being strongly disappointed in Prime Minister Rudds' willingness to dive head first into the same murky swamp of lowest common denominator politics, only so recently vacated by Johnny and his cronies. Here was I, sadly, hoping we were in for a period (however short) of some real positive social change, and cultural advancement as a nation. Silly me.

Posted by Sam on 27/05/2008 4:44:23 PM

"Artyfarts" are stereotyped as arrogant self-righteous bigots, and this blog and and the comments so far demonstrate how true this stereotype actually is.

Posted by Jon on 28/05/2008 11:01:01 AM

The new federal Government is showing all the dark signs of being infected by christian fundamenatlism as that of Howard. Narrow minded individuals like Rudd and Garrett should keep their grubby politician hands out of the arts and freedom of expression.

Posted by docmv on 28/05/2008 12:24:46 PM

There are some very sick people in the world if they think that Bill Henson's photo display of young children naked is to be accepted in todays society. For Blanchett and others to give support to the show begs belief. Kevin Rudd spoke up for how many people felt, disgusted.

Posted by Amaroo on 29/05/2008 6:30:13 AM

Nothing like a good ol' moral panic to divert attention from the real issues, The government, aided by the media (particularly the tabloids) is engineering a witch-hunt. No surprises there. It worked swimmingly for Howard.

Posted by Barabajagal on 29/05/2008 7:43:07 AM

So can Australia stay in the VGT, well it has to do something about an image, the most downloaded one in the history of the SOA 2003, which was enacted because of the Bill Hensons of this world. In Britain it is child pornography. Our laws were passed because of photographers like Mr. Henson. THey are unambiguous, the de jure position is clear-cut.

Posted by Tazia on 30/05/2008 12:28:12 PM

The whole sorry saga reminds of a famous story. While watching a painting in an art galery she mutters half loud, "What a disgusting painting, look at that woman undressing and that man leering at her in the doorway". At this point the artist who painted it, taps her on the shoulder and says, "Lady, I could not help but overhear what you said. For your information, the lady is not undressing, she's dressing. The man in the doorway is her husband and she called him to help her zip her dress. The are going to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Please lady, do me a favour by not letting your dirty mind look at my beautiful picture". No more comment needed.

Posted by Observer on 31/05/2008 9:43:19 AM

As a "common 'straaalian" I applaud Kevin Rudds comments. Just because some beret wearing self proclaimed 'artist' resents his photos being taken down and cries "it's art" does not make his kiddie porn filth any easier to swallow. Art is about talent and innovation, not about taking photographs of naked children. For too long the "arts world" has gotten away with utter garbage under its banner, being made to see itself as it really is has been a long time coming. Kiddie porn filth has no place in my culture.

Posted by Bob on 31/05/2008 1:08:00 PM

To silly Sam..As an Australian citizen Prime minister Rudd is allowed to express his opinion,which i happen to agree with. It is a sad day that people support ART above what is in the best interest of the child, that we have fought to have laws in place to protect. I remember being canvassed by a pedophile, who and a large number of them also, wanted me to sign a petition allowing under age children to have the right to have sex (loving of course} with adults, oh and how convinced they were they they were right. Lucky i didn't eh ...People like this distorted example of human existence are doing nothing to protect our young. I don't need to see pubescent children naked to appreciate art, and i would question this being ART .It is photography, get a grip. Why would wearing clothes affect his artistic ability. Also i would question his timing for this exhibition.. of course people who complain are at fault never the Antagonist. By supporting this we are slowly etching away the boundaries that help to keep our kids protected in a very scary world already.

Posted by Dee on 31/05/2008 2:17:23 PM

As a former teacher of Art - including the subject most "ordinary Aussie" individuals like to snigger over the most; namely, life drawing... I am amazed at the controversy the PM's comments regarding Mr Henson's photographs has ellicited. As an individual, the PM has every right to express his opinion regarding the public display of items he may find disturbing. Whether I agree with the opinion he has expressed or not is beside the point. If the rucass is simply a product of Mr Rudd's position as PM, rather than the outcome of some vast affront to the hordes of individuals who like to portray themselves as "patrons or practitioners of Art", it's a sad inditement of how the freedom one group of Australian's is deluded into believing is their "inalienable right" - namely the freedom of speech, isn't afforded this one person simply because of his position. If the "Art World" believes it's above criticism, censure and even excising because "it's the role of Art to challenge"... then the Art World (with it's sychophantic hangers-on) has shown how little comprehension and understanding it has of possible reactions that may be generated when "the challenge" is made. Are artists really that thick? I'd like to think they aren't; but many years of observing my colleagues in the field, has broadened my appreciation for just how adept many of them are at creating an existence for themselves by manipulating those people who are so readily prepared to accept the latest incarnation of the 'Emperor's new clothes'... Rather than condemning the PM for expressing his opinion as he has every right to do - we should celebrate the fact that there's a willingness to engage in the debate that these supposedly "challenging works of art" have ignited... well; that is of course, if the people that mouth such statements regarding the role of art aren't just plainly "full of it". If there was a choice - it appears some individuals would come down on the side of "Artocracy" in preference to "Democracy". Now that's sad...

Posted by Steve C on 1/06/2008 12:14:53 PM

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