CCP exec resigns over CCP row

Karen Flores, the embattled head of the Visual arts and Cureo division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has resigned. Her resignation came shortly after the decision of the board to close down the controversial "Poleteismo" exhibit which included the controversial art work of Mideo Cruz. Cruz work, which many artists and people found very crude and a bad art, was allowed to be exhibited at the Cultural Center. It created a huge uproar among those who found Cruz' work blasphemous, and those that found it obscene and in extremely bad form.


CCP's decision to close down the exhibit is not the best decision under those circumstances. It just showed that the board was bullied into submission, not a very good ending for such an inane and totally nonsensical issue.


Closing down the exhibit just meant that it was bullied, and reacted in such jerky fashion that it actually sent a signal to the people, that hey, we never intended this but will be doing it by the way. 


BY the way, I really don't understand what some artists are militating about. They are still saying that this is about rights. 


What about rights, when the CCP already gave Mideo Cruz the right to exhibit such a very bad and tasteless art in its premises? I mean, CCP's mandate is showcase the best Pinoy art. Defintely, Cruz' visual exhibit is not, and I say again, not the best there is among the hundreds of Pnoy arts literally out there. 


Example, Herber Bartolome's art pieces were never shown at the CCP, and don't ever tell me that Herber's work pales in comparison with Mideo Cruz, excuse me!


How about Joey de Leon's paintings and sculpture pieces? His work is thought provoking and really extremely good and is among those considered to be at par with international standards, yet, sadly, never even saw the light of day at the CCP.


These artists deserve a spot in that hallowed institution, but, until now, no invitation. Are you telling me that CCP people are tasteless people and unsophisticated that they rather show a thrashy piece over a fine one? That is what happened here.


BY exhibiting such a mediocre work by Cruz, the CCP has already proven that it respects the rights of artists to be exhibited. Artists, however, must realize that not all are to be given a space at the CCP. You must be the best.


In Cruz case, probably, he was the best among the mediocre artists pretending to be maverick artists, that's why he was featured.

Mideo Cruz's art in bad form

Art?

Here is a photo of one of Mideo Cruz's "art" pieces. It shows a sitting Jesus Christ with Mickey mouse ears and a joker's nose. Question--is this art?


Art is supposed to be an original piece made either by hand or personally by the artist. In this case, the only ones made by the artist were the ears and the nose. All the rest were probably retrieved in an old house, since this piece is normally seen in a typical Filipino Catholic's house. 


Okey, so what the artist did was alter or somewhat modify somebody's original "art" piece. Is that art?


Yes, whatever you say, and even if you ask any art professor, the question of whether this piece is art or not, it is still art. 


Okey, so its art. Art is a form of communication or self-expression right. Ask the artist--why did you put Mickey Mouse ears and a joker's nose in this piece? What are you trying to imply or say?


Do you just want to be funny or do you just want to provoke debate? What is there to debate? That Christ has a Mickey Mouse ear and a joker's nose, is that what you want us to debate about?


There's nothing to debate about simply because the issue is definitely a non-issue. Examine the piece and you'll find that it is more of a defacement rather than an interpretative or re-interpretative, art.


Art, to be art, is supposed to say something. In this case, what is the artist trying to say? That Christ has ears like a mouse, meaning, he probably has a keen sense of hearing? Makes sense. How about having a joker's nose, what is the artist trying to imply? That Christ is a joker? That he finds the things he sees as a joke? 


If these are the "messages" this artist wants to convey, two things: First, it is not supported by any historical nor archeological evidence, meaning it is a hoax and second, if this is not to be supported by any historical or external source, then, this must be a plain and simple attempt to blaspheme the original idea of the original art piece, which establishes or shows the supremacy of Christ as King of the earth. That is the original message of the original art piece which Cruz altered or modified by just placing mouse ears and joker's nose.


So, the intention of Cruz is simply to mock and blaspheme someone's belief. Yes, there's no question---it is art. But, as what I wrote in my previous entry, if Tolstoy is to be asked, it is a bad form of art, something which the CCP should have realized earlier and the CCP should not have exhibited or shown in the first place. Why? Because CCP is supposed to be a repository of good art, not a bad form of art such as this one from Mideo Cruz.


Cruz is a bad artist. He wants to be funny in this piece, but instead of getting laughs, he got angry responses, because what he did was blaspheme someone else personal beliefs, something which is definitely not iconic and definitely a bad form of art.


So, there is really basis for someone to file a criminal case against Cruz for offending some else religious beliefs. It is okey to spark a debate. But, in Cruz case, his art did nothing to inspire a debate. It was simply and clearly an art piece that aims to mock somebody's religious beliefs, something punishable under our Revised Penal Code. 

Kulo is not about rights--it is about whether its a good or bad art exhibited at the CCP

The issue about "Kulo", the alleged controversial "art" exhibit of Mr. Mideo Cruz at the CCP is not about rights. No. It is about whether or not the CCP is mandated by its charter to exhibit or show bad art. 


In one of the pieces of Mideo Cruz’ controversial “art exhibit” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) shows a red movable penis plustered at a crucifix. One observer asked him what this means and he said that this represents a patriarchal society. For Cruz, a patriarchal society means a penis moving up and down in a crucifix.


Art, according to several authorities, reflects truth and life. Where is the truth of describing a patriarchal society in a crucifix? There are many patriarchal societies which members do not even know the meaning of a crucifix or have’nt seen one. Why link a social system with that of a crucifix, there seems to be no connection. Maybe he meant, feudalism?


How about the penis protruding in the forehead of a photo of Christ? What does this mean? The phallus has been used in ancient art and symbolism. In “Kulo”, what does this mean? Even if it means something, it must be either extremely weird or extremely funny.


Question–is that art?


The center of the raging debate for or against Mideo Cruz’s exhibit over at the CCP is this–is a mismash of symbols and photos and religious imagery, art? If it is art, is it good or bad art, if we are to use Leo Tolstoy’s arguments about art in his article “What is Art?” If it is a good one, does it deserve a spot at the CCP?


The CCP by the way, is a government functionary tasked on promoting the arts and culture of the Philippines and by Filipinos. Its mandate is simple: the CCP has sought to truly embody its logo of katotohanan (truth), kagandahan (beauty) and kabutihan (goodness).


There is art and there are art pieces out there, but some or even most of them were not shown at the CCP. Why? Because there is such a dichotomy between good and bad art.


Leo Tolstoy in his seminal piece, ” What is art?” defines art as something which serves a communicative function–it emotionally links the artist with that of his audience. There is, correctly put by Mideo Cruz, at least some emotional impression by the audience upon the artist. If the artwork only got a reaction from his wife and some close associates, it is still, art.


Art has two classifications|: one Good and the other bad.The good ones establish a relationship between the artist and his audience. The emotional feeling should be positive and plays a key role in fostering feelings of brotherhood. Bad art does the opposite, according to Tolstoy. Art should never be used to foment disunity or hatred against fellowmen.


In the mismash these artists called ” art”, they tried to provoke deep and strong emotions.  They did. However, instead of good and lofty feelings, they evoke hatred and disunity. Bad art, Tolstoy might say. Not worthy of a CCP exhibit.


One may respect the exercise of Mideo’s right to free expression as an artist and it may have been art, this mish-mash of rehashed ideas turned into trash or what others term as trash-art is really not worthy of being exhibited at the CCP, for being bad art.


By showing this thing there at the CCP, is the CCP trying to say that it supports bad art?
This is much ado about nothing. 


Mr. Cruz may have laughed himself to death. He relished the fact that people talked about his piece which he himself can't explain. Yes, there's no doubt that his piece is indeed art. Yet, it is a bad one which does not merit an exhibit at the CCP.