Most Americans Don't See Nudity In Art As A Problem

These charts are from a YouGov Poll -- done between March 30th and April 4th of a nationwide sample of 1,000 adults, with a 3 point margin of error.

Jim Carrey Is One Celebrity That's Taking A Stand

Some celebrities think it's enough to bank their enormous salaries and stay out of public affairs. Jim Carrey is not one of those. He's taking a stand against the horror of the Trump administration, and what it's doing to damage this country. He's speaking out -- both with words and with his artwork.

His paintings below are an example. The first is of our monstrous Press Secretary, and the second is of our lecherous Liar-In Chief.

I'd Like Your Opinion On This

This is a piece of art done by Rick Rueda of Amarillo. It is titled "PTSD".

I found it to be a powerful statement on a huge problem, and a beautiful piece of artwork. It speaks to the way this country sends soldiers off to war, but ignores the problems that war causes the soldiers when they return home. There are far too many suicides among veterans, because our government won't live up to its responsibility to care for veterans, and give them the care they need and deserve.

It was displayed in a local art gallery, and that gallery didn't see things that way. They have banned Mr. Rueda from displaying any more of his art in their gallery.

I would really like to know what my readers think. Is this a powerful piece of art? Or should it be banned from public viewing? Please tell me what you think.

I want to hear from as many of you as possible -- and to that end, I will even publish anonymous comments on this one post (if that is the only way you'll comment).

Public Says Art Is Important - But Is Unwilling To Support It

I admit up front that I have no artistic ability at all. Hell, I have trouble drawing stick figures! But I love art, and I consider it to be extremely important. And I believe a society without art, or one in which art is censored, is a failed society -- and cannot last. Art gives us beauty, it exposes truths, and it allows us to view the world in a different way.

So I was initially happy when I saw this new YouGov Poll (done on May 14th and 15th of a random national sample of 1,000 adults, with a 3.9 point margin of error). The survey showed that 51% of Americans think art is necessary to live a well-rounded life (which is something we all should be trying to do).

But then I read some of the other survey results, and I was very disappointed. Even though they say art is important, a majority are unwilling to pay to make that art more accessible to everyone. Half of the population said they would be unwilling to pay an extra $5 a year in taxes to make art more accessible to everyone (while only 34% said they would). That's terrible! I don't know if it reflects an incredible ignorance or selfishness -- but it certainly doesn't reflect well on our country. If art is truly important (and I believe it is), then we should be willing to pay a few dollars to make it accessible to everyone.

And then we have the results of another of the survey questions -- which words would you use to describe the world of art today? The most common answer was expensive (given by 47% of the respondents). Only 9% said art was affordable.

Now I will admit that the art of past masters (like Van Gogh, Picasso, and others) can be very expensive -- but that is a very tiny percentage of all the incredible art that is out there for us to enjoy (and much of it can be viewed inexpensively in art museums). There is a whole world of art that is available for a very reasonable price. Just visit your local galleries, or college student art shows, or find current artists on the internet. They are making some incredible art that will simply blow you away -- and it is affordable. But if even that is beyond your budget, there are prints and reproductions that can be had for only a few dollars.

Art is important, and we should all include it in our lives. Make time to go to art museums, and buy what you can afford for yourself. It will make you a better and more well-rounded person -- and if enough of us do that, it will make us a better society.

Is It Art Or Is It Advertising ?

These two sculptures have gone up near Marfa, Texas. One is a life-size image of a Dodge Charger, and the other is a 40-foot tall image of the iconic Playboy bunny. But one citizen has complained to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) that the bunny image is advertising (and not art), and therefore should have to abide by the state laws regarding roadside advertising signs (which require a permit from TxDOT). And TxDOT has agreed with the complainer -- ordering the removal of the bunny sculpture within 45 days (since Playboy Enterprises did not apply for and receive a permit for the "advertisement").

Playboy did pay for the sculpture to be made and placed near Marfa (which is known for its art community). But they say the two sculptures are art, not advertising (and therefore don't need any permit). This brings up an interesting question. What is art, and where is the line that divides it from advertising? Some artists, like Andy Warhol, didn't believe there was a difference -- and his reproductions of Campbell's soup cans have been recognized as art. If an image of Warhol's famous painting was put up beside the road, would TxDOT consider it an advertisement?

Does the fact that Playboy Enterprises paid for the sculpture to be made and erected make it an advertisement? Would it be art if Playboy Enterprises didn't pay for it? A case could certainly be made that the sculpture is an iconic symbol in our culture (just like the Campbell's soup can), and could be used to make an artistic statement (such as a statement about sexuality in our society).

I have to disagree with TxDOT. I think both sculptures are art. But then I live in Amarillo, only a couple of miles from Cadillac Ranch (a recognized work of art featuring 10 Cadillacs buried nose-down in the ground). TxDOT has not said that Cadillac Ranch is an advertisement for Cadillacs -- why not? What is the difference between those Cadillacs and the bunny sculpture? Aren't both iconic symbols of our culture? And what about the giant cross erected in the Panhandle? Couldn't that be considered an advertisement for christianity?

What do you think? Is the bunny sculpture art or advertising? What is the difference?

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Here are the images I reference in the above post -- Cadillac Ranch, the Warhol painting, and the huge cross in Texas Panhandle. Art or advertising?