Two Muslim groups offer to display artist’s sketches of Mohammed as a dog after galleries balk
posted at 2:38 pm on August 17, 2007 by Allahpundit
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The well-known artist [Lars Vilks] took his pictures to galleries in Värmland and Bohuslän. Both however refused to show the drawings on the grounds that the security risk was too great.
But now two groups – the Secular Muslims in Sweden (Semus) network and the magazine Minaret – have taken a joint decision to exhibit the sketches…
While he himself considers the drawings to be tasteless, [Semus spokesman Hooman] Anvari is adamant that they should be put on display.
“Our intention is to create a nuanced debate around freedom of speech, religious freedom and democracy. These issues tend to cause polarization if they are not tackled in the right way,” he said.
Needless to say, Anvari’s asking for all kinds of trouble from the usual suspects by doing this and I’m sure he knows it. Bravo. In case we have any Swedish speakers among our readers, here’s the post on Semus’s blog reporting Vilks’s acceptance of their invitation to attend the exhibition of his drawings. Gates of Vienna has background on Vilks and a copy of one of the drawings; a copy of a different one is available at Vilks’s website. It’s sad that pure crap like this gets headlines simply for its scandalous subject matter, a la “Piss Christ,” but that’s what the fundies get for burning down embassies. Good work, boys.
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It may be a small thing but I’ll take it. Even if the small moves take a generation to pay off the struggle will still be going on.
It will be a long war. Every little wedge we can drive into natural cracks in the wall of Islam is helpful. If only to pay back for the wedge they have driven between the R’s and the D’s in this country. (Islam doesn’t hate us, just Bush’s politics.)
TunaTalon on August 17, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Where are the complaints from PETA and the ASPCA?
Jonas Parker on August 17, 2007 at 2:53 PM
I like the way Anvari thinks.
Something tells me that Nimis, one of the other works of “art” by Vilks, is in grave danger of being transformed into a bonfire. Next year, we will have to celebrate official Duct Tape Day in solidarity with Ladonia on the 12th of August! If it still exists!
RushBaby on August 17, 2007 at 2:54 PM
will Michael Vick be in the picture?
jediwebdude on August 17, 2007 at 2:57 PM
My kidlets draw better ‘toons, but the real news is a muslim group wants to exhibit this shtt?
An art appreciation class is in order, boys.
They got cajones, but watch yer back & wear your BP vest.
locomotivebreath1901 on August 17, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Very cool, but I can’t say I’m impressed with sketches.
They look like something doodled on a napkin.
Esthier on August 17, 2007 at 3:16 PM
this is good news. . . however, the fact that it is news isn’t good.
ThackerAgency on August 17, 2007 at 3:21 PM
My Swedish maybe somewhat rusty but let me give it a try…
I Hooman Anvari, being of sound mind and body, do hearby…
AndrewsDad on August 17, 2007 at 3:28 PM
I’d like to see Mo-dog lift his leg and pee on the Koran.
infidel4life on August 17, 2007 at 3:33 PM
What do you mean “very cool, very encouraging”? The guy is a marked man now. I hope Lars Vilks has a bullet proof vest because he’s going to need it.
SoulGlo on August 17, 2007 at 3:56 PM
My collie says:
CyberCipher on August 17, 2007 at 3:57 PM
This poor guy won’t live past sundown.
RightWinged on August 17, 2007 at 4:03 PM
Get ready for more of this.
http://asssalamisteakum.ytmnd.com/
gabriel sutherland on August 17, 2007 at 4:05 PM
Baby … uh, I mean PUPPY steps … in the right direction.
I hope this guy can afford private security, I hear they’re pretty expensive … or will the socialist govt pay for his body guard detail?
Tony737 on August 17, 2007 at 4:06 PM
Yep, dead man walking.
conservnut on August 17, 2007 at 4:06 PM
A job for Islamic Rage Boy~
bridgetown on August 17, 2007 at 4:10 PM
at least the galleries were honest in their objection, unlike every hallowed news organization that wouldn’t reprint the Mohammed cartoons.
clghitis on August 17, 2007 at 4:17 PM
I agree that it’s pure crap, simply meant to be provocative just like piss Christ or any other modern piece of “fine art”.
The 20th century witnessed Contemporary Art retreat from aesthetic ideals and the value of craftsmanship only to lurch toward narcissism and political sensationalism. Definitely anti-establishment, Leftist, elitist and exclusive, it has a limited appeal. A lot of it would have no value at all if it didn’t have the shock value. When I was in art school, they taught the fundamentals, but you certainly didn’t have to master them to get a degree in Fine Art if you knew how to make a statement. And if the statement was of the left-leaning political variety, that’s even better.
This to me is not art, any more than piss Christ. I don’t even know if it’s “free speech”. I think it’s a political statement meant to provoke. A provocative PR stunt. Whatever. Context is everything, once again.
But please don’t get me wrong. I think Islam is ridiculous and specifically so on this issue. Maybe I’m missing the point. Maybe the lack of skill exhibited in the sketches is intentional, so as to add to the insult. Because to me, that is the reason for these works – to insult and provoke.
The statement about creating a “nuanced debate” is the real work of art here.
Dork B. on August 17, 2007 at 4:19 PM
“Persunelly I feend zee ert celmeeng und pueenting oooot zee ixeestentielist netoore-a ooff releegiun. Bork Bork Bork!”
The Swedish Chef
jdkchem on August 17, 2007 at 4:31 PM
Riots of peace loving Muslims to commence in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
Mojave Mark on August 17, 2007 at 5:34 PM
You sit! Stay! Drop that! Bad boy! Get down!
JWS on August 17, 2007 at 5:47 PM
its just a picture, what could possible happen…
trailortrash on August 17, 2007 at 5:51 PM
possible= possibly
trailortrash on August 17, 2007 at 5:52 PM
With bacon strips in its mouth.
SouthernGent on August 17, 2007 at 6:06 PM
*~@):~{>
What is Vilk’s title for this stuff:
Mahound of Arabia?
Definitely dogged, dogmatic and dangerous to all cool cats.
Mo improved the lot of the local women, bringing them from the 5th to the 7th century.
But then he kept them there forever.
(When he wasn’t condemning the majority of the fairer sex to Hell.)
The only reason doggeral like this art matters, at all, is to oppose the humorously fanatical iconclasts who say things like:
“There is no fun in Islam.” Ayatollah Khomeini.
The title of the exhibit I would use is:
Throw me a frikken’ bone.
profitsbeard on August 17, 2007 at 6:26 PM
Mr. Anvari deserves our respect as well as our prayers.
Unfortunately, the so-called art of the poseur, Vilks, is not worth one atom of one hair on Mr Anvari’s head.
ahem on August 17, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Indeed.
BadgerHawk on August 17, 2007 at 7:12 PM
This is just some trying to be a Fleming Rose wannabe. Look at how crappy the sketch is. But kudos to Mr. Anvari. Will there be massive seething soon?
mram on August 17, 2007 at 7:45 PM
Ah the protestants finally show. I hope we can scratch up some foreign aid for these real men. Where’s there leader? Who will be Elizabeth?
pc on August 17, 2007 at 8:21 PM
This is likely going to be the Muslim version of piss-Christ, only the reaction will likely involve molotov cocktails, not disgusted conversations over them.
BKennedy on August 17, 2007 at 11:59 PM
In a cult were deceit towards non-belivers is okie-doke, does anyone really believe him?
Maybe he is just trying to incite a riot.
AZ_Redneck on August 18, 2007 at 12:46 AM
Now y’all remember one thing about islam: it did stop the arabians from going to wars defending the honours of female camels. (I guess its still ok to dishonour a male camel.)
Texas Nick 77 on August 18, 2007 at 1:41 AM
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