More on that courageous art world

Returning to the subject of the courageous art world that we have mentioned before, here is a story that comes via Michelle Malkin's blog.

The Hague city museum, the Gemeentemuseum, has decided not to exhibit an artwork that might be deemed offensive. Considering that the Impressionists were considered to be shocking and offensive when they first exhibited and that people still find many of Goya's drawings and paintings offensive, that is nothing to go by.

However, let us try to guess what the Gemeentemuseum might have found offensive these days. Would it be another version of the P***s Christ? Or a papier mache figure of the Pope being struck by a meteor (I have seen that myself)? Perhaps they thought that some people might find the endless humourless distortion of President Bush's face somewhat offensive?

If not any of those, then what? I am sure all our readers are on tenterhooks.

The city museum of The Hague has decided not to include in an exhibition a work of art that may offend Muslims, it was reported on Monday.

The picture, made by Iranian artist Sooreh Hera, is entitled Adam and Ewald and shows two gay men wearing masks of the Muslim prophet Mohammed and his son-in-law Ali.

It is part of a photoseries the Gemeentemuseum has included in the 7up exhibition due to open on December 15.

I have absolutely no idea how good Sooreh Hera's work is but I suspect that I would not waste any time or money on it. That is not the point, however.

The museum decided they wanted to exhibit her work and, courageous people that they are, .... they went back on their decision. Why did they do so? Simple really.

The Gemeentemuseum's director Wim van Krimpen told reporters the museum is interested in purchasing Hera's complete series, which he called "high quality works of art".

However, he added he will not exhibit Adam and Ewald in the next few years because "certain people in our society might perceive it as offensive".

Hera responded she was "disappointed" and added "apparently a Muslim minority decides what will be on display in the museum".

Very polite of her but let's face it: this was a display of sheer funk. Never mind, I am sure there are plenty of works of art there that depict President Bush in a nasty and offensive manner. After all, these people are so courageous.