Have you seen this painting yet? It’s definitely causes some uproar. An artist, Michael D’Antuono created the piece to mark Obama’s first 100 days in office and he titled it, “The Truth”. If you want to hear a little more, check out this story.
Due to a storm of controversy on the blogosphere and beyond, the artist canceled the unveiling, but obviously this story and this painting live on.
I’d be curious as to your reaction on a couple of issues. First, how good of a place is the web for such conversations. How much should the web influence decisions about these types of things? Also, what is your reaction to the painting? What do you think it communicates? Is it a satirical and truthful declaration of the way many have treated Obama? Is it a blasphemous image? Does it simply show that many see Obama as bringing truth and hope where they didn’t see any before?
I must say that my first reaction is that the artist is being intentionally vague to allow the conversation to take place. All of the above are likely to be reactions and I can kind of appreciate an artist who can take what’s going on in culture and some of the undercurrent of religious themes, whether he agrees with them or not, and then place them within an image to get people talking. There’s definitely a line where a person can start to mock or blaspheme and this painting starts to play in dangerous territory, but for now I guess I’ll apply my own take to it and recognize some satire that reveals a truthful take on people’s reaction toward Obama.
We won’t be inviting obama to http://www.web-jesus.com, but you all are more than welcome to join us in Christ.