Michigan artist sentenced to jail over mural nudity

[IndianaGreen]

Michigan artist sentenced to jail over mural nudity
By Joanne Laurier
24 February 2005

In a particularly philistine and backward act, artist Edward Stross was sentenced to prison last week for his mural depicting a bare-breasted figure on a building in Roseville, Michigan, in suburban Detroit. The artist was ordered by District Judge Marco Santia to serve 30 days in jail, do two years of probation and pay a fine of $500 for his variation of Michelangelo’s “Creation of Man,” illustrating a half-naked Eve. Stross was also mandated to alter the fresco, which he painted on the outside of his art gallery in 1997.

After covering the breast with a black cloth, Stross explained to reporters that he was in mourning for artists everywhere. “Removing the work is the ultimate punishment. The jail time is nothing compared to removing what I painted. ... They’re trying to paint me out as a criminal.”

At Stross’ trial, Roseville resident Jim Goldwater spoke in support of the artist, telling jurors that Stross volunteered at a local homeless shelter and has created a number of murals in the community for free. He added, “I think it’s disgusting, to be honest with you.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan filed an emergency motion to keep him out of jail pending an appeal of the sentence. On Tuesday the ACLU obtained a stay until March 5. City officials are apparently quite determined to see Stross jailed. Roseville city attorney John Dolan told the Macomb Daily, “We don’t believe there is a basis for a stay. He was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Continued Dolan: “There also aren’t any constitutional claims that we think have any likelihood of prevailing in this case.”

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/cens-f24.shtml

[rodeodance]

1. thought artists had lots of 'freedom' --must be in another America

[Richard Steele]

2. Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick!

I can't frigging believe what this country is becoming.

This is just SICK. Goddamned TALIBAN ASSHOLES!

[rodeodance]

3. one good thing is the ACLU is on the case!!

[Bridget Burke]

4. Could some other aspect of the mural be controversial?

Like--the American flag being borne away from God?

www.detnews.com/2005/metro/0502/22/B01-95677.htm

[Vladimir]

14. That's what all the fuss is about?!

some people really need to get a life.

[noonwitch]

5. I've seen the mural, it's cool

The City of Roseville is being ridiculous. Then again, Roseville doesn't have that much-some shopping along Gratiot, head shops and speed traps.

[pnutchuck]

6. What the hell is happening to the US?

I'm an American artist living in Paris and sometimse feel the stigma of being so. The French are not very accepting of American artists, it takes a long time for them to warm up to you, but they would never dream of suppressing their voice. That is something they pride themselves on here, their love for art or all kinds.

Suppression of an artists vision is, for the artist, like someone demanding a body part, or to harm your own children. It's the worst kind of propaganda, because it attacks the mind and cuts off expression and creativity leaving the community and country at the mercy of drones.

BTW here's my version of Bush

[Tsiyu]

7. Aaaackk! Boobies!

Bare evil woman flesh! Put a burqhua on that painting before the whole town sees a BOOBIE!!!!!!!!

[forintegrity]

8. The ACLU sure is busy

now days!

But it's OK to give a male escort a press pass into the WH?

Such disgusting double standards!

Hypocrites, every last one of them!

[annabanana]

9. proud to be a "card carrying member!"

They need all the help they can get now. If you're not a member, go here and join the good fight!

http://www.aclu.org

[forintegrity]

10. Thanks

I will. They're a great organization and so very much needed!

[paineinthearse]

11. I'm nominating Dolan for conservative idiot of the week!

What an idiot. I suggest he read the US Constitution:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech , or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

[bloom]

12. IF this keeps going...

there is a lot of art in Musuems, from the Renaissance, for instance, religious art showing a breast or two - Is the anti-art crowd going to target that next?

[MadHound]

17. Yeppers, that is what's next

Witness Ashcroft's covering up of a classical piece of sculpture. Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" among other works will have bikini tops added on.

This type of censorship is absolutely appalling. I'm just speechless that there are people in this country who are this hung up over such issues. We can show images of violence from every possible venue, but OMG, exposing a boob is somehow offensive? Just goes to show how screwed up the prioties of many of our fellow citizens really are.

[IndianaGreen]

19. Michaelangelo's statue of David

was a pivotal part a Simpson's episode in which the religious rabble tried to ban its exhibition for it being obscene.

Remember that the statue is that of David as a young man. Will the relgious rabble accuse Michaelangelo of being the Jacko of the Renaissance.

[H2O Man]

13. I would hope that

even progressive democrats would admit that there is something un-natural about nudity. If the Lord wanted us to be naked, we wouldn't be born with clothes on. I blame much of this on communists and hippies: an example of the combined naked evil of these forces that stands out in my mind was the "Two Virgins" naked album cover from John Lennon and Yoko Ono. They were seriously disturbed individuals, who had a very negative influence on the youth of America. Note that after this album came out, far fewer youth were willing to wear the military uniform and kill half-naked people around the world. Yoko claimed to be an artist, too.

[paineinthearse]

16. ha ha

You should call in to CSPAN Journal on the rethug line.

:toast:

[paineinthearse]

15. Remember what Ashcroft did with "Justice" & "Majesty of Law"?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002/01/29/statues.htm

01/29/2002 - Updated 09:54 AM ET

Justice Department covers partially nude statues

By Kamenko Pajic, AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — No longer will the attorney general be photographed in front of two partially nude statues in the Great Hall of the Department of Justice. The department spent $8,000 on blue drapes that hide the two giant, aluminum art deco statues, said spokesman Shane Hix. For aesthetic reasons, he said, the drapes were occasionally hung in front of the statues before formal events. The department used to rent the drapes, but has now purchased them and left them hanging.

The drapes provide a nice background for television cameras, Hix said.
ABC News reported that Attorney General John Ashcroft ordered the statues covered because he didn't like being photographed in front of them. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Ashcroft has been photographed several times in front of the female statue that represents the Spirit of Justice. The 10- to 12-foot statue has its arms raised and a toga draped over its body, but a single breast is completely exposed.

The other statue, of a man with a cloth covering his midsection, is called the Majesty of Law. Both statues were installed in the 1930s when the building was finished, according to the Justice Department.
Hix said the Justice Department bought the drapes to avoid having to rent them every time the agency had a formal event. The drapes cost about $2,000 to rent. He also said Ashcroft was not involved in the decision. "The attorney general was not even aware of the situation," he said. "Obviously, he has more important things to do."

The Great Hall is an ornate, two-story room that the department uses for ceremonies and special speeches. In the past, snagging a photo of the attorney general in front of the statues has been something of a sport for photographers. When former Attorney General Edwin Meese released a report on pornography in the 1980s, photographers dived to the floor to capture the image of him raising the report in the air, with the partially nude female statue behind him.

[H2O Man]

18. The Ed Meese business

was hysterical. I can remember what a joke he was, for the reason that you mention.

It was around that time that I joined a group called: the Organization of Religious Groups Against Smutty Material (ORGASM). I still feel that ORGASM has a healthy role to play in our society.