Art maybe but not a ritual
BLOODY ART
“ART” is a broad church these days. It can be the Sistine Chapel painted ceiling; the bronze sculpture of the Angel of the North at Gateshead, UK; the photo of a massed crowd of naked humans painted blue in Holland; even a young woman in an art gallery staring interminably into a visitor’s eyes. So who am I to say that a group of humans wallowing in the warm blood and guts of a just-slaughtered bull is not art?
Apparently the artist, Hermann Nitsch, has been setting up this “happening” in many locations over many years, though in Mexico we read it took only a petition of 5000 signatures to prevent it.
I have the deepest admiration for the genius of David Walsh, who I understand is a vegetarian, and who may wish that we meat eaters truly understand all the death and suffering which attend the slaughter of animals for our food.
He is also aware that shocking events appeal to many punters. (The display in Mona of a hundred plaster casts of vaginas, looking like subtle and exquisite flowers, drew a similar controversy). Maybe this blood-orgy slaughter of the bull and following bloodbath can be termed “art”. It certainly can’t be named as “ritual”. Blood sacrifices of olden times were religious rituals. Performed in awe and hope that God or the gods would appreciate the sacrifice, and in turn bestow health, success, safety and prosperity on the whole community. Please do not allow this bloody event, if it should take place, be referred to as “ritual”. volves a carcass, ( Mercury, April 27).
It was with great interest that I read the quote “I don’t think it’s a good space for politicians to be in to be making judgment calls about art, no matter how confronting it is. I think it’s a dangerous thing for politicians to be in that space.”
Hmm, why then is it a safe space to be in when forcing their own beliefs on to the general population in regard to voluntary euthanasia? It is considered a “safe space” for them to vote according to their own conscience rather than according to the wishes of their constituents.
I deem it a far “safer space” for politicians to have a conscience vote on this matter of art than it is to have a conscience vote on the needs and wishes of many in the population.
This becomes exactly what the Premier says is dangerous, making a judgment call. entrails
Sick musings
and blood THE greater part of the correspondence in the Mercury regarding the Hermann Nitsch Action.150 theatre rightly expressed disgust and anger at Mofo’s slaughter of a bull in its next dark celebration. Most letters referred to this as a inhumane act, which no doubt will delight and divert devotees of the Dark Arts.
Little correspondence however, has referred to the profanity of the Crucifixion, which is the essence of Nitsch’s sick musings, and is the main feature in the online advertisement at https://darkmofo.net.au/ program/hermann-nitsch-150action/.
This reflects that our society is now positivistic and agnostic, rather than A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. Christian in essence. I am sadly reminded of St Thomas More’s defence, “Qui tacet consentire videtur”: he who is silent is understood to consent.
Unnecessary violence
HOLLY Ewin says we shouldn’t censor art even if it involves killing an animal (who obviously has no choice in the matter) and then allowing people to slither around in the victim’s body parts (Letters, April 24). She also questions whether a philosophical belief system such as veganism should be the yardstick of a secular society. Basically, vegans are opposed to anything that inflicts unnecessary violence and suffering upon others; it’s about respect and compassion for all lives. I can see that would certainly be a very inconvenient yardstick.
Free country
I CERTAINLY do not agree with the planned Dark Mofo performance by Hermann Nitsch. However people have a right to go and see his performance, if that’s their inclination. Stopping the performance would be the same as banning free speech. Politicians and other groups do not have the right to stop people from seeing, what in their opinion, is art. We live in a democracy where if it is not against the law, it should be allowed. I personally cannot see this type of performance as art, but to each their own. All the publicity will certainly generate tickets sales, if it goes ahead.
UN’s Saudi joke
ANOTHER nail in the coffin for the relevance of the UN with the appointment of Saudi Arabia’s representatives to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. This maleorientated state refuses women basic rights such as driving a car.
Big mistake
WHERE would the bed crisis at the Royal Hobart Hospital be if the Hobart Private Hospital hadn’t been sold (Letters, April 26)? Robin Gray, can you hear this?
Buy hotel
MEMO to Health Minister Michael Ferguson: Solution to overcrowding at the Royal. Buy the TraveLodge Hotel — 131 air-conditioned rooms, all with beds — a bargain at $20 million. It will also save you from more criticism.
Values sold out
MALCOLM Turnbull used to be a strong advocate for an emissions trading scheme and gay marriage. Political expediency has seen him sell out on both. Is this an example of Australian values? Whatever happened to human values?
Tassie off the map again
SO James Faulkner and George Bailey have been dropped from the Aussie one-day squad. Crazy! My old mum used to say the thing you can’t beg, borrow, steal or inherit is experience. I bet some untried New South Welshman or Victorian will get the gig. Looks like Tassie is not on the map again.