Statue of David - great art

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Rose65

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United Kingdom
By Michaelangelo. So, the principle of a Florida school is forced to resign, for allowing children to view this classic world famous artwork.

This brings up the question perhaps of whether great art, if consisting of nudes as the subject, can be regarded in law as pornography and thus unsuitable for children? If that is held as a legal fact, then the loss of this teacher's job can be legal.
If I were that Principal, I would certainly launch a lawsuit. She has lost her job apparently on the strength of a couple of parents objection. It must be proven that she broke any rules.

It sounds crazy to me, but of course there must be far more to this event that we perhaps do not know? It cannot be just due to the endlessly tedious over- sensitivity we have to witness these days from people who love to cause an issue for no reason. It seems somebody is always offended by something.
 

Considering it's a publicly funded private charter school, the principle should have taken into consideration the demographics of the parents and used a bit of common sense. What group is most likely to support publicly funded private charter schools and would they want their 11 and 12 year old children looking at art depicting naked people. Obviously not.
 
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Pornography is a terrible destructive thing and utterly different from art, we know that. Could it be there are those who truly cannot see that? If not, there is a huge amount of art that must be denied to children, if they must be shielded from it.

The beauty and perfection of the human body in art is in itself a wonderful thing that great artists of all kinds have depicted. Nothing sleazy at all.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this case.
 
I read once that many of the original Michelangelo nude paintings were censored by prudes in earlier eras by having fig leaves painted over them. And iconoclasm (destruction of artworks often for religious reasons) has recurred at various times through history. It's an issue that never really goes away...
 
Michelangelo's art is BRILLIANT!
Viewing nudes by children makes them appreciate ART, not lewdness.

I sculpt many nudes, though I am asked a lot, "Why don't you put clothes on him or her?"
Some people of limited vision can't see beauty and skill in molding the human body.

I didn't hear of this occurrence but I'm sure she will fight this and win.
 
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This is more than ridiculous. Michelangelo's art is never pornographic. Robert Campin's picture "The Virgin and Child before a Firescreen" (15th century) at the National Gallery of London obviously would be highly pornographic for such silly parents in this context. Poor children!

588px-Robert_Campin_-_The_Virgin_and_Child_before_a_Firescreen_%28National_Gallery_London%29.jpg


https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/...tion/the-virgin-and-child-before-a-firescreen
 
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I've seen David in Florence. I was so tired but I got revived after seeing this statue. The detail, the strength in his eyes..yes, eyesl Of course I looked. Everyone does but it's not about the nudity. It's art. Leave it alone! It's not like there aren't pictures of him everywhere.
 
Rose65 said:
the principle of a Florida school is forced to resign, for allowing children to view this classic world famous artwork.
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Actually I believe the offense was not notifying parents beforehand, as is required by Florida's new law. If she had done that she probably would not have been fired.

I think the law is ridiculous. The statue of David is an important part of our western civilization's art heritage. No reason to notify parents that kids may see it, that's silly. Kids can easily find real pornography if they want to. Hell I have no trouble finding it when I was a kid and its much more available today.
 
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Great art is great art and needs no apology, nor should anyone be stopped from seeing it. It feeds something essential inside us that touches the soul. Surely no education can be complete without at least an introduction to the great classic artworks.

Pornography is an appalling completely other matter. It is abuse of both watcher and watched.

This poor woman's motive was pure and noble and to lose her job is awful.
 
From what I read, the principal of the school was supposed to send a letter to the parents and have their signature on file prior to showing the art to the students. Supposedly, she failed to do that.
Living in Florida for over 40 years, I have to say that I am getting sick and tired of this new nonsense. It is like returning to the middle ages!
Having both my daughter and son in-law in the education system in Florida, I truly feel for them!
Being Italian, the last thing on earth I want is art is being denigrated by ignorant people.

kaemicha said:
I've seen David in Florence. I was so tired but I got revived after seeing this statue. The detail, the strength in his eyes..yes, eyesl Of course I looked. Everyone does but it's not about the nudity. It's art. Leave it alone! It's not like there aren't pictures of him everywhere.
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My father took me to see him when I was about 10 years old. I remembered it very well. It is a very powerful statue. What struck me most was its presence, I felt it was alive next to me. His muscular body felt very impressive to me and as you mentioned the details were perfect.
 
I was reading about this in the newspaper and thought that
the result was ridiculous, but then I decided that it might be,
some "American" view, of such things.

Look at Belgium, their national symbol is called, "Manneken
Pis" and it is a statue, of a young boy urinating, with real water
flowing, like the real thing, how would that be viewed I wonder.

Mike.
Manneken Pis.jpg
 
Mike said:
I was reading about this in the newspaper and thought that
the result was ridiculous, but then I decided that it might be,
some "American" view, of such things.

Mike.
Click to expand...
Why would you think Americans would have such a narrow and limited view of artwork centuries old? America is a young country compared to Europe and Asia and Africa. We don't do the ancient sculptures, we left it to others. America was busy building a country on the foundations others left for us. That certainly includes these masterpieces of old.
 
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Right Now said:
Why would you think Americans would have such a narrow and limited view of artwork centuries old? America is a young country compared to Europe and Asia and Africa. We don't do the ancient sculptures, we left it to others. America was busy building a country on the foundations others left for us. That certainly includes these masterpieces of old.
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I knew that I was writing this bit all wrong, Right Now, I was
meaning that, a small number of people in America, see things
the wrong way, I know that it doesn't apply to most of you and
I don't know enough about your country other than what I have
read and heard 2nd, 3rd or even 15th hand, the more people who
pass on a story, the more it changes, anyway somebody didn't like
the sculpture enough, to fire a Head Teacher, for showing it to some
children.

I apologise for upsetting you.

Mike.:cry:
 

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