Artist, protesters clash over combat paintings

[progressoid]

ROCKLAND - Free speech clashed with free expression on a downtown street corner Saturday as artists opposed to war protested the showing of combat paintings of Marine Sgt. Michael Fay at the Farnsworth Art Museum. Sgt. Fay stood ramrod straight when confronted by the small group of protesters upset with the Farnsworth for exhibiting his paintings of combat forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The afternoon sun reflected off the combat ribbons pinned to his green uniform, and the red chevrons on his sleeves glinted in the finish of his spit-shined shoes as Fay listened to his challengers.


Fay told the group he recognized their right to voice their opinion but reminded them that he had a right to express himself as well.

"I think it's great that we can have a passionate debate," Fay told the protesters. "I am not a spokesman for the war. But am I proud to be a Marine? You bet."

About a half-dozen artists carried signs and stood vigil outside the Farnsworth as the show "Fire and Ice: Marine Corps Combat Art from Afghanistan and Iraq" was previewed for museum members. Fay's paintings show soldiers carrying out their daily duties while serving on hostile ground...

...The protesters objected to the show's content and what they claimed was the museum's "implicit support of war." They said a more balanced show would include images of civilian deaths and mass destruction.

More...
http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=108388

I disagree with this war and it's leader; I question the museum's motives; and I think the "artist" is a tool. But it seems to me that the protesters are being...um....just a little hypocritical. Since when is an art exhibition supposed to be balanced?

[aden_nak]

1. You become what you hate. That's sad, really.

What ever happened to, "If you don't like the message, don't listen/watch?"

[brainshrub]

2. I agree

"When is an art exhibition supposed to be balanced?"

Agree 100%. Besides, most artists I know are against the war. It's not like it's very difficult to find a pro-peace exhibit.

The protesters are behaving like RW fundies.

I wish the Bangor News had posted some of the art in question.

[Bridget Burke]

3. The museum's website didn't have an example of the art....

The link was dead. But the show is in conjunction with this year's Camden Conference: "The Middle East, Compromise or Conflagration?"

www.camdenconference.org/index.html

(Retired) General Anthony Zinni will be the keynote speaker. He's been a harsh critic of our policy in Iraq.

An art museum's job is not to give a "more balanced show". The protesters are artists--they need to put on a show of their own.

[ArkDem]

4. As to the following

>"The fact that he would come not dressed as an artist, but as a Marine is an affront," said Natasha Mayers of Whitefield. "I'm for real expression that's not paid for. This guy is paid for, he's been a Marine all his life, and this is a military point of view. The day-to-day part of war, which we can't imagine, is what we need to see. We need to see images that tell us the truth."<

What does an artist wear?

[progressoid]

5. Here's a couple of his pieces - so so work.