Art or Stupidity?

[0iD]

From the BeeB
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7039821.stm

An Australian performer who has had an ear grafted onto his forearm in the name of art has sparked controversy.
Cyprus-born Stelios Arcadiou, known as Stelarc, says his extra ear, made of human cartilage, is an augmentation of the body's form.

But surgeons questioned whether such an operation should have been carried out, given the absence of clinical need.

The ear does not function, but he hopes to have a microphone implanted to allow others to listen to what his extra ear picks up.

So is it art? or a crass offensive act of stupidity?

[Russ]

the ear doesnt function.... weird

[pollaxe]

I would vote the latter.

Then again I'm told my taste in art is very pedestrian - call me old fashioned but I like people who can paint well or actually do something. Cutting sharks in half, cracks in a floor, frozen blood and elephant dung don't really do it for me. Neither does some oxygen thief grafting an ear onto his arm to be honest.

I've seen (televised) performances of Stelarc - he was allegedly 'wired up to the internet' so that random electrical pulses moved his muscles. It was as interesting to watch as it sounds.

For some reason I've always recalled what Terence Trent-D'arby (I know) said when asked: "What is art?" His reply: "Anything you can get away with." Quite.

[kidzer]

call me old fashioned but I like people who can paint well or actually do something.

ditto, that kind of stuff is most impressive of all - I have a number of friends who are good at it, it's a talent to be able to do anything like that - I sure as hell can't!

As for this odd chap, I've gotta go with a crass offensive act of stupidity!

[Whiternoise]

Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "Talk to the hand"..

[TiG]

Just be glad he knows his arse from his elbow

TiG

[kickstart 1]

What a total waste of time given the amount of people that need surgery for real. Its great if its art ..just go get it done, but someone with a great need will have to wait years for the chance. I really dont get people who are perfectly healthy and not in need of any surgery doing stuff like this.

[micrar]

Freaky. Looks like a 3D tattoo

[staffsMike]

Dear oh dear..

[coco]

stupid and offensive espcially to those that are in desperate need this type of surgery.
maybe he should now think of doing another arty thing and have his penis grafted ontop of his scalp no wait he's already a ....

[TooNice]

Not impressed. I don't find it offensive, but I think that a tattoo would've been just as, if not more artistic.

[Saracen]

.... So is it art? or a crass offensive act of stupidity?

No, and yes, respectively.

It's the "art" of shock, in my opinion, and the act of an incompetent cretin that thinks it's art just because it hasn't been done before, while totally missing the point that there's a reason (not just including good taste) that it hasn't been done before. Or in other words, the last refuge of an utter plonker that appears to be totally devoid of any actual talent.

[streetster]

stupid and offensive espcially to those that are in desperate need this type of surgery.

there are people in desperate need of getting ears grafted to their forearms?

[Dorza]

I think he is a freak to be honest. I feel like ripping it from his arm, its so annoying to look at.

[WannaPiEcE]

More like destroying art, the human body is a work of art and surgically altering its appearance is not art, sorry.

[Lucio]

It's definately not art, It's a sad game of one upmanship by a generation of crazies all desperate to grab a little media attention to make money.

At least the crack in the floor is designed to symbolise something meaningful whereas this is just some sad little man trying to shock people.