Controversial Images in Art - Essay Example

PISS CHRIST: CONTROVERSIAL IMAGES IN ART due: Andres Serranos 1987 photo “Piss Christ” has been a benchmark of debate since its establishment. Andres Serrano glowed outrage when one of his art photos went on exhibition that included a crucifix flooded in his own urine. The stimulating part of this whole “Piss Christ” debate is that those people who feel insulted are being upset for the wrong intention. People think that their religion is being "pissed on," after what the artist projected to express was that many current Christians do precisely that every freaking day.

Andres Serrano tries to convey that Christians piss on Christs teachings and on what is at the very central of their faith at every turn (Leppert, 2007).This art seems to have created a standoff between the Catholic League and "Piss Christ" artist Andres Serrano that may have come to impermanent and anticlimactic silence. This image should not be viewed by small children since they can grow up with some wrong information which is not as per their respective religion (Leppert, 2007). The image in terms of private versus public sector, it can be viewed freely by those in the private sector as it does not involve the large crowd of people who in turn may cause chaos as different people have a different perception.

Based on religion the image tends to be more against the Catholics as they make more use of the crucifix though this affects Christians in general.Serrano protected his artwork by saying that it was a critique of the "billion-dollar Christ-for-profit industry" and "condemnation of those who abuse the teachings of Christ for their own ignoble ends." The artiste as far he has the freedom of expression he also has responsibility of coming up with art that controversy free. The artwork should not be complex to interpret especially to the young ones.

The viewers too have the responsibility to interpret and enquire of any type of art before either opposing or proposing of the same. This will aid in a smooth relationship between the artistes and the whole community at large (Mazur, 2002). Gender relates to this image in that it seems to victimize the moral behavior of male gender. This is by having the image merged in urine. All in all, Jesus Christ portrayed in the crucifix was a man. The artiste Serrano did show the image of a man, not because he was male gender but because Jesus Christ was of the said gender (Mazur, 2002).

I am willing to fully support Serrano’s artwork; this is because it has a positive message to the Christian fraternity. His message is directed to those people who “piss” Christ’s teaching. Ive severally looked at the “Piss Christ” image for many years and I favor it as good-looking and reminiscent artwork. This also encourages and motivates upcoming artistes. I don’t see any slightest impudence to Jesus in the image, “Piss Christ”. I appreciate the mechanical workmanship and structure of the image.

Some drawings are designed to task the viewer to think. This piece of artwork is in this regard (Balkema, 1997).ReferencesBalkema, A. W. (1997). The photographic paradigm. Amsterdam: Lier & Boog.Leppert, R. (2007). Chapter 2. Representing the young. Innocence, nakedness, and the adultimaginary.The nude (pp. 27-79). Cambridge, MA: Westview Press.Mazur, E. M. (2002). Art and the religious impulse. Lewisburg, Pa: Bucknell University Press.