Richmond Times-Dispatch -Daniel Nemam
Ring Around the Raspberry Patch
We have enough Rasberries to go around. Our semi-
beloved annual awards for the silliest, stuffiest and
goofiest actions of the year go to:
Ashcan School of art.
A teacher at Monacan High School was sus-
pended for painting pictures with his butt.
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20 comments:
Apparently his butt wasn't the only body part he expressed himself with.
Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can not use for art. People everywhere are going to be offended be everything you do. And they should all stop complaining.
I think this is hilarious. he didn`t bring it to school. Lighten-up. It is not a photograph. It is art. Much is to left to the imagination. The most famous artists were thought to be crazy or immoral in their day, and now their work is worth millions.
I am a teacher and artist and also 55yrs,old.
This guy is a genious.
Linda from AZ.
I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Its not a photograph of his genitals & buttocks, its just a painting of them so i don't see anything wrong with it. He's not doing it in front of his class or showing his students the paintings so it shouldn't matter
I hope that in spite of all this silliness with the schooling system that you can continue to express your self how you see fit. Some of these paintins aren't my thing...although there are a few that are very "ass"thetically pleasing? :-) Blessings to you and I hope this will give you more positive feedback instead of overall negative.
So, It wasnt as if he was bragging about it and forcing people to look. The videos turned up on you tube and eventually made their way to his school. Give the artist a break and let him do his job.
It appears big brother is on to you Stan!! This has nothing to do with your ability to teach..and what you do in your private life is your business...not theirs!! I'd give the Board of Education a full "moon"...obviously they've never seen one on a clear night!!
Stan,
I understand that you're wanting to express your artist and unique form of art and that is fine. However, I do not believe that a high school is the proper place in which to teach it. Children at this age aren't entirely going to understand the artistic side of this and instead will focus and even gossip about what you do. This type of art should be taught at college or university level. It is inappropriate and may even be considered sexual harrassment considering the age group in which you have chosen to teach your unique style of art. Even if it is not your intention. I know that if my child went to your school and wanted to take your art class and you taught butt art, I'd be very upset and pull my child out of your art class. The news has reported that your are a good teacher and one that students gravitate towards, so why with high school kids? Don't you think, considering their growing and curious state of mind, that this is inappropriate? The one thing that is really upsetting is that your art can be considered as an excuse for vouyersim geared towards minors. Though it may not be the case with you, it will be used by pedophiles as an exuse, if it hasn't been done already. Yes you have your 1st Amendment rights, but your judgement to teach minors about butt art is not admired. It should be kept in the appropriate age group, over 18.
Ms. J
Why would you want to look at this in your home or anywhere else...I think of a mentally distirbed man in his art studio making gross "art" and playing with his stuff..wouldn't want you around my children either....
To each his own...so keep it to yourself!!
WV
Isn't it just as much (if not more) of a distraction to remove the teacher, as it would have been to let him continue teaching? The art is beautiful & unique and I cannot understand why people are so offended by it. Artists have done far more controversial things, and were commended for their creativity. Teachers have done far more controversial things and were allowed to keep their jobs. Mr. Murmer's dismissal is just one more case of making an example out of someone in order to distract from bigger world issues. What a sad moment in the art community.
Does it effect his teaching?
I see absolutely nothing wrong with his art. I think he was unjustly terminated for his artistic expressions. As long as he did his artwork outside of the classroom he should have been able to remain teaching.
It is so sad that a school suspended an otherwise great teacher for something like this. He was not selling his photos in school or teaching the children to paint like that themselves... In a world where sex is in or on EVERY thing the kids see, touch, or taste this school has issues with art? hmmmm... This is not my type of artwork however I commend Steve for being so creative... I would challenge the school board to really review the reasoning behind his termination... I don not believ it is right to assume that teachers are to be perfect inside and outside of school grounds. As a mother I want my chilren to learn from real people who will encourage their creative thinking.
A teacher should only be held responsible for the knowledge they give their students.
Artistic expression is one thing, but, get me a break, there are many many "tools" that can be used to paint with, grow up!!
butt his "tulips" are so cute...very creative! kudos to you stan!
You should be able to do what you want to do when you want to.
Hey there. Thumbs up!!! I find it totally ridiculous that you lost your job directly/indirectly just because you paint with your butt, penis etc... Especially coming from a tertiary art school!!! Prrrleeease!!!! Future art students should avoid this school as apparently freedom of expression is not supported.. I mean, haven't they heard of Yves Klein???
But look at it this way.... because of all the tum tum, you've got yourself the best advertisement... All the best for your future endeavours...
I think the whole thing about Stan being fired for his artwork that he does ON HIS OWN TIME is ridiculous. Schools should be teacher freedom of expression and individuality and props to stan for making interesting and excellent art without using a paintbrush! If you look on the bright side though, This whole him being on suspension has hit the newsstands like white on rice, this is the first time i had ever heard of his paintings and I am just amazed at them, i think they are brilliant, and if I had 900$ to spend, i would buy one and hang it in my living room!! However, as a college student, that is not in my budget.
here's to you Stan for being an individual!
Stan-
We just want you to know that there are at least SOME sane people in VA who totally support you and hope you are able to return to your job. It appears that what you do is toally harmless and we can't imagine it distracting the kids nearly as much as all this global media attention brought by the school board's actions.
Keep painting!
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