I don't really know how to introduce this

[TheBYUGuy]

JESUS CHRIST IS THE KING, THE DUNEDAIN HAS RETURNED!
HE COMES BEARING THE WHITE TREE OF GONDOR!

Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
Ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul!

I hate you. My wife just woke up angry at me because I laughed so hard.

[Solon]

The soldier's name is King, and he replaces the likeness of MLK that was planned. Use of MLK's likeness is closely controlled according to the "artist".

This is true. A few years ago, Penn State wanted to have a statue of King put up on campus at the spot where he once spoke. King's estate wanted a million dollars to grant permission for the statue. So, the school decided to just put up a plaque with some of the words of the speech. Although the speech was given at the University, and the text was printed in the school paper, King's estate promised to go to court unless the school paid a hefty fee for permissions.

In a rare display of prudence, Penn State decided that fighting over who "owned' the words King spoke at Penn State ran counter to the sentiments that King was trying to support. So, in the end, nothing was put up. (I heard this from one of PSU's long-time archivists.)

I'm sure there are reasons other than money for why King's estate apparently acts this way, but King - IMO - is a national figure whose words and likeness should belong to all Americans.

MLF got his recognition vicariously through the African-American soldier.

MLF? That's some typo.

[I.J. Reilly]

This is true. A few years ago, Penn State wanted to have a statue of King put up on campus at the spot where he once spoke. King's estate wanted a million dollars to grant permission for the statue. So, the school decided to just put up a plaque with some of the words of the speech. Although the speech was given at the University, and the text was printed in the school paper, King's estate promised to go to court unless the school paid a hefty fee for permissions.

In a rare display of prudence, Penn State decided that fighting over who "owned' the words King spoke at Penn State ran counter to the sentiments that King was trying to support. So, in the end, nothing was put up. (I heard this from one of PSU's long-time archivists.)

I'm sure there are reasons other than money for why King's estate apparently acts this way, but King - IMO - is a national figure whose words and likeness should belong to all Americans.



MLF? That's some typo.

For some interesting information on the subject see Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Social Change, Inc. v. American Heritage Products, Inc. This case firmly established a right of publicity in Georgia, and serves to support the case for the same right in other places. The King estate is a vigorous defender of his name and likeness, along with any copyrights he mights own, which include text to speeches (even if they were given at PSU). While MLK may not have profited much from his image while he was alive, the family has made a pretty penny since.

[TheBYUGuy]

I got an e-mail from the artist letting me know about some additions to the second edition of the painting:

James Garfield – I was notified after the original painting was complete that John F. Kennedy was a Democrat. I didn’t want to remove him from the new painting simply for his erroneous political leanings but would still like to honor him as a heroic assassinated president. James Garfield was the 20th president of the United States and was the second assassinated. More importantly, Garfield the cat was indirectly named after him. Note the orange and black cartoonish cat under his arm, symbolizing wholesome entertainment in America. Also, both the cat and the artist love lasagna.

William McKinley – 25th president of the United States. Also assassinated.

Bill Clinton – note the symbolism of the blue dress on the ground in front of him, signifying his failed presidency based on his infidelity with a White House intern.

Anakin Skywalker – Once seduced by Satan to do evil, he became Darth Vader. But once Satan turned on him, he returned to good and reconciled with his estranged son. Note that he lies on the middle ground between the heroes and villains of America, indicating that only Jesus can truly judge him fairly. The bed on which he lies symbolizes deathbed repentance.

Mitt Romney – Jesus will appoint Mitt Romney as the 45th President of the United States of America. Mitt will reverse the failed decisions of the Supreme Court and restore greatness to the country. Like the artist, Romney is likely a Cleon Skousen fan.

Prostitute – represents the moral decay of modern America. She is also symbolic of the infamous harlot Isabel, the first named prostitute in authentic American history records.

Denethor – once the trusted steward of the throne of Gondor, Denethor committed suicide. It is the view of the artist that suicide is evil.

[Jeff Lebowski]

By the way Solon, that was a terrific find. This is priceless.

Did you notice the evil professor? I love that smug look on his face.

[I.J. Reilly]

The motif of the space program was particularly poignant.

[Jeff Lebowski]

He says that the fifty stars in the night sky represent the states and "some of the stars shine brighter than others". I wish he would have ranked the good vs. bad states for us.

[Pheidippides]

I wish he would have ranked the good vs. bad states for us.

The stars at night, are big and bright



DEEP IN THE HEART...OF TEXAS!

[wuapinmon]

I got an e-mail from the artist letting me know about some additions to the second edition of the painting:

James Garfield – I was notified after the original painting was complete that John F. Kennedy was a Democrat. I didn’t want to remove him from the new painting simply for his erroneous political leanings but would still like to honor him as a heroic assassinated president. James Garfield was the 20th president of the United States and was the second assassinated. More importantly, Garfield the cat was indirectly named after him. Note the orange and black cartoonish cat under his arm, symbolizing wholesome entertainment in America. Also, both the cat and the artist love lasagna.

William McKinley – 25th president of the United States. Also assassinated.

Bill Clinton – note the symbolism of the blue dress on the ground in front of him, signifying his failed presidency based on his infidelity with a White House intern.

Anakin Skywalker – Once seduced by Satan to do evil, he became Darth Vader. But once Satan turned on him, he returned to good and reconciled with his estranged son. Note that he lies on the middle ground between the heroes and villains of America, indicating that only Jesus can truly judge him fairly. The bed on which he lies symbolizes deathbed repentance.

Mitt Romney – Jesus will appoint Mitt Romney as the 45th President of the United States of America. Mitt will reverse the failed decisions of the Supreme Court and restore greatness to the country. Like the artist, Romney is likely a Cleon Skousen fan.

Prostitute – represents the moral decay of modern America. She is also symbolic of the infamous harlot Isabel, the first named prostitute in authentic American history records.

Denethor – once the trusted steward of the throne of Gondor, Denethor committed suicide. It is the view of the artist that suicide is evil.

The Garfield one is clever.

[wuapinmon]

The Seventh Son

By the way Solon, that was a terrific find. This is priceless.

Did you notice the evil professor? I love that smug look on his face.

That's pretty much how I always look. I also try and put myself on the same steps as Jesus whenever possible because I can heal the sick, raise the dead, and make the little girls talk out of their heads, cause I'm the One.

[Green Lantern]

You know this guy seriously considered putting Glen Beck in there somewhere.

I think the Skousen book in the student's hand counts as a Glenn Beck reference. He's like the Skousen incarnation for our times. Mixed with the KZHT Morning Zoo Crew.

[Commando]

Why does '"mormon art" have to always be so kitschy and embarrassing? I saw a huge print of this in the BYU book store, but didn't even give it a second look. Only through the magic of the internets have I been able to examine how retarded some people are. I'm going to be very angry with this artist if someone I love ends up with a print of this painting.

[Surfah]

Why does '"mormon art" have to always be so kitschy and embarrassing? I saw a huge print of this in the BYU book store, but didn't even give it a second look. Only through the magic of the internets have I been able to examine how retarded some people are. I'm going to be very angry with this artist if someone I love ends up with a print of this painting.

There is Mormon art that is pretty cool IMO. I like the art issue of the Ensign. However, the cool art to which I refer seems to be produced outside the US. I don't know what that means.

But you're right, some of it is awful. I can't stand Simon Dewey's work and his romance novel Jesus. For our wedding Gidget's ex-fiance's parents gave us a Simon Dewey coffee table book. I cringed. It's not even something we could re-gift because I'm too embarrassed to give that away. I have no clue where that book ended up.

[beefytee]

There is Mormon art that is pretty cool IMO. I like the art issue of the Ensign. However, the cool art to which I refer seems to be produced outside the US. I don't know what that means.

But you're right, some of it is awful. I can't stand Simon Dewey's work and his romance novel Jesus. For our wedding Gidget's ex-fiance's parents gave us a Simon Dewey coffee table book. I cringed. It's not even something we could re-gift because I'm too embarrassed to give that away. I have no clue where that book ended up.

Thinking of bad religious art, the Jehovah's Witnesses stuff stands out to me.

[RobinFinderson]

Thinking of bad religious art, the Jehovah's Witnesses stuff stands out to me.

Much popular LDS art is every bit as bad as the J-Dub work.