White House Painting: Obama Throws Artist Under the Bus
by Ben ShapiroToday, the Washington Post reported that a painting by artist Alma Thomas entitled “Watusi (Hard Edge)” was being removed from the White House’s East Wing. For those who don’t remember, Thomas’ painting is a plagiaristic copy of Henri Matisse’s “The Snail” rotated 90 degrees – see my piece, and the paintings side by side here. According to Semonti Stephens, Michelle Obama’s deputy press secretary, the painting was moved “because it didn’t fit the space right.”
The White House explicitly denied that the painting was being removed because of its obvious similarity to the Matisse piece. And the Washington Post writers cover for the White House in typical press lackey fashion:
Stephens’s explanation makes sense because it is inconceivable that the White House’s art experts would imagine Thomas’s painting was fraudulent or a copy … Elaborations on earlier artists’ work, even full appropriation, have been common practice in art for hundreds of years.
Right. And Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services because Obama didn’t like his red glasses. It had nothing to do with his tax cheating.
Since when does the White House announce when it moves art? They don’t issue a press release every time they replace a painting. In fact, the White House didn’t announce when it sent a bust of Winston Churchill back to Britain – the media had to find out on its own. This is a clear response to the Big Hollywood piece, as well as scrutiny from other diligent bloggers like Michelle Malkin.
The idea that the Obama White House is infallible when it comes to vetting either its art or its nominees is bizarre and unsupported by facts. This is an Administration that has placed known tax crooks in high financial positions. This is an Administration that made an open Communist Green Czar, and a pedophilia-phile Safe Schools Czar. Believing that the Obama Administration failed to do basic research on the art it hangs on its walls makes perfect sense. And no amount of obfuscation from the Washington Post is going to rectify the obvious cover-up attempt by the White House.
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71 Comments
Its Bush's
ask obozo – he'll tell you
unless it ends up being a good thing
Mr Shapiro stumbled into another relevant truth…
When you are Fearless Leader you are infallible. The State is NEVER wrong. The differences between this bunch- and the DaSilvas, Batchelets, Chavez'- or Castros or Kim Jong Ils- is one of degree, not substance.
Just as Kim Jong Il always shoots a 60 in 18 holes or bowls a 300 game evry time out, or Castro (or his doppleganger) is givenplaudits for his unending brilliance, or the ridiculous adoration of socio/psychopath
Che-
So does this bunch lie, deceive, obfuscate, spin- and worse create fables- about humans with feet of clay like everyone else…
Wow. Thanks for this breaking news story! If it wasn't for the intertubes and brave, serious Web journalists such as yourself that painting might still be hanging up in the White House! Thanks for saving democracy, Ben! If it wasn't for idiots like you blowing every little thing up into a WORST SCANDAL IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE, conservatives might actually score substaintive points against this administration instead of constantly losing elections and coming off like grade-A nutjobs. Jerk.
Abstract Art Displayed at White House Includes “Rape of the Taxpayers,” “The Persistence of Obama,” and “The Change” (click picture to enlarge): http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/10/abstract-art-...
Wow. MJS woke up grumpy. But if you miss the point I'm guessing it's because you are trying to miss the point.
If you lie about the little things would you lie about the bigger things? If you cover up the little things would you dare cover up the big things?
"If it wasn't for idiots like you blowing every little thing up into a WORST SCANDAL IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE" Okay MJS. We'll just let you tell us when something is news worthy.
Obama's art is like Michelle's 'style'. Neither is what the media says it is.
Vetting has a vague militant inference to it which precludes
actually using the process in this admin. Since they can't make a decision
on something as major as a Afgan reinforcements I no longer think they will vet
anything a bit less in importance beyond whether you are a conservative or not.
Good post Mr. Shapiro.
I know you would prefer that Obama would hang a copy of "Piss Christ" the 1987 photograph by photographer Andres Serrano.
Debase the culture, break laws, ignore tax bills – that's the attitude DemocratSS in office today.
[...] from Ben on the painting’s removal: The White House explicitly denied that the painting was being [...]
then it will be Martha Stewart's.
Ahem. May I interrupt? Who broke Acorn? Who Broke NEA? Who is uncovering creepy indoctrination videos? Who actually gives a darn when it comes to the banality of this ass kissing MSM? Ben is a jerk because he's pointing out that The One is so full of himself he had to tell the world he's moving a painting? If i didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to say, what was it that reporter says in "V"? Oh yes, "Show some respect!". Oh one more thing before I close, we are not a democracy. We are subjects of a Constitutional Republic. Yes I'm a Conservative and I've read a book try not to faint.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by andrewbreitbart, Big Hollywood. Big Hollywood said: White House Painting: Obama Throws Artist Under the Bus http://bit.ly/13htRV [...]
You really, really liked that piece …huh… MJS! Just remember that your Barry loves you for your dedication to himself. For your love and devotion to dear leader, you have another Hope poster on the way, blessed be the Barry the most Merciful.
"Elaborations on earlier artists’ work, even full appropriation, have been common practice in art for hundreds of years."
Elaborations, yes, all out copies? That's bad, bad, BAD form!
Everything about this administration screams amateur!
Thank you! It appears FLOTUS deliberately chooses the most hideous things she can find to wear. It would seem that she is saying "F" you to America with some of those digs.
Oh…darn, and I really liked that piece. I’m sure the spot where it hung in the White House is a little darker now.
The response from the White House is rather amusing. It's too bad you can't generate electricity from all that political spin that comes out of Washington. The entire city could be removed from the electric grid and be fully self sufficient in electricity needs just from the Democrat's spin alone.
It wasn't removed just because it was a copy. It was removed because it was a copy of a white man's painting. Right?
Ben Shapiro's original article highlights a trait of Obama's administration that steals from hip-hop culture: everything is stolen. Nearly every hip-hop tune is derivative (sometimes plagiaristically so) of some classic from decades ago, even if only a measure or a recognizable riff. In the music publishing/placement business, we are always wary of tunes that have "sampled" elements for fear of copyright infringement, and warn those who submit to us accordingly. No such fear (or knowledge, apparently) of copyright law exists in team Obama. Not much fear or knowledge of the Constitution, either.
Ah, an "homage"…
Well, that explains why she rotated it 90 degrees and named it after an African tribe.
I'm no expert on copyright law, but I think I remember hearing somewhere that an image has to be changed at least 25% from the original in order to not be a copyright infringement. Rotating the image 90 degrees would qualify as a 25% change, wouldn't it?
Yeah, that's the ticket.
"Elaboration" is not uncommon for an art student, the lesson here is choose what you like and then follow the art, sometimes the artist can make a change thiers(eg Andy Warhol), but although great, over rated like O'Keefe(that's just my opinion). But the WH reaction is amazing, Rebo on Babylon 5 was right when he said "politics is where the real comedy is".
The people writing here are a breath of fresh air. I have never been bored or left with that lingering feeling of "why the hell did they write that". We all must ensure that Obama and his communist buddies do not impede on our freedom of speech so that we can continue enjoying Breibart, FOX, Beck, Hannity, Rush, Levin, Savage, Laura, and so many others. Without them, we're doomed. To see another generation of truth tellers coming in gives me hope for the future.
You forgot to end it with Peace Be Unto Him after his name.
i lol-ed until i almost rofl-ed at that!
ain't cliches da bomb?
One time I shot a 59. We didn't play a second hole – it got too dark.
If I were her, I would burn that black and white plaid dress. Her *ss looks two ax handles wide in that thing. Good grief, stylists and staff….grow a backbone and tell her!
Watusi Twists Under the Wheels of the White House Bus…
…
Obama's approval rating is down to what? Nine? Nine and half? How's ol' Harry Reid look for re-election?
Yes, conservatives obviously need to start listening to liberals and doing as they command, or they'll never score any points against this administration.
The ONLY reason that this particular picture and a second one, by this artist, were chosen, is because the painter is a black woman. This picture is crap, BTW, no matter WHO painted it !
That's hysterically funny ! Thanks for the link.
The BOOB BELT and cardies should go first; not to mention that flowered thingy she wore in London.
Constantly losing elections?
Try again libtard, or perhaps you were busy watching the HBO special on Obama Tuesday night, while voters in NJ and VA soundly rejected the dhimmicrats?
EXACTLY and then repainted, BADLY, by a BLACK WOMAN
James, the original "Piss Christ", was actually a crucifix submerged in a glass tank of the (cough, hack), "artist's", own urine.
It was a most vile thing.
I believe it was also done with Government grants. Of course.
President Jimmy Nixon is unraveling. Another example of his administration's incompetence.
Do the words "plastic turkey" still send you into raptures? Was that a more legitimate news story?
Gimme a break. The Obamas made the announcement for the purposes of media attention. Don't be such a cry baby.
I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt here because it seems that the connection to the other painting was always up front and center. The artist wasn't trying to be deceptive.
As for "fitting the space"… did you *see* the paintings chosen with that one? You'd need some glass and chrome penthouse with some ultra modern (retro 60's) furniture for them to "fit". The idea that they were installed and someone realized they looked ridiculous is not a stretch.
The progressive is the proverbial babe at the bar. Obama strolls in, glances about, homes in on and plops down next to Miss "maybe he'll buy me a drink" to see if he can get a little action. In no time they're out the door to her place where she thinks she's in love. Later that week she finds out she is broke, has VD, fired from her job, has strange people living in her house and pregnant. Mad as hell, she heads for the bar to find and confront him and, lo and behold there he is! "You bastard", she screams, "What have you done to me?" "I have no money, I have herpes, will probably be arrested, I've got illegal aliens living in my house and I'm knocked up!" He looks down his nose at her and says, "Hey, you screwed up, you trusted me".
Whassa matta MJS can't take it when someone points out Obooboo's foibles?
I'm pretty sure that because he was French that cancels out the white factor…
it was the obamas who made a big deal about their fabulous taste in new art for the whitehouse and their special support of black artists. the fact that one of the paintings is plagiarized is news. that the whitehouse chose to announce that this particular painting was removed and made such a ridiculous excuse for the removal is also news… or, according to you, are we no longer supposed to report on statements from the whitehouse ??
i look forward to her new outfits… they are HiLaRiOuS !! … classless, ghetto, and totally inappropriate, but funny as hell.
It was just an homage to that other great Progressive art plagarist, Ward Churchill.
You mean who made up the Acorn and NEA "scandals"? Of course, that was Fox and the rest of the propaganda brigade. And a bunch of morons who will believe anything.
Wouldn't be surprised if any Norman Rockwell or Andrew Wyeth paintings have been used to stoke the Whitehouse boiler.
The saddest part is that they replaced it with "dogs playing cards".
So you get to have a tizzy when he gets the painting, /and/ pitch a fit when they get rid of it.
You must be, like, the zen master of the no-win situation.
You mean the ACORN scandels(plural) that had a plethora of audio & video evidence against them showing among other things fraud, prostitution, child prostitution etc…too numerous to list here???
I kind of like the black lady's painting a little better than Henri Matisse’s version……………………………..that means I'm not a racist's,
Right?
You mean the entire east coast and a good portion of the midwest could be removed from the electrical grid.
And they both have big frames.
Hahahahahaha!!!!!
And an Elvis on velvet!
"SOFA SIZED PAINTINGS – ON SALE THIS WEEKEND AT THE WASHINGTON DC MARRIOTT, SHERATON and MOTEL 6."
Stock up, Michelle!
Thanks for clearing this up, Shapiro. Here I was thinking the Obama's just had really bad taste in art and it turns out that they possess bad judgment, also! How much did this stuff cost us?
I do believe tha is how it is stated in the NEA's official "How To Not Get Busted For Infringement" legal briefs.
Velvet murals of dogs playing cards?
Can anyone Photoshop "FURTHER" on the front of that school bus?
After last Tuesday's elections, maybe you should reconsider the statement; "constantly losing elections" You think so??
He won't be the last to be thrown under the bus. There are a whole bunch already lined up like "good little socialists" should.
Thanks for naming that hideous piece of clothing! What is she thinking?? She needs a mirror not a stylist…
Notice how the Post article didn't put them side by side…
Thank you. It was made famous (infamous) by the photos the idiot "artist" published, and yes, this filth was a product of OUR tax $$$$. Outrageous.
ho! like the 297 we bowled- but it was a series…
It's on loan , it doesn't cost a dime.
The person who didn't do basic research is Ben Shapiro. It takes about 30 seconds on google to find out that anyone involved in the art world would know that work references Matisse and it's not any dark secret or big discovery. If this is the level of scandal you guys are going to drum up then the next 7 years should be fine.
I can't take credit for naming the ridiculous looking BOOB BELT, but do use the term, because it fits what it is.
She has an army of stylists, makeup people, and hair people, etc., but perhaps she's now picking out the stuff she wears. Who knows? Whatever the case might be, the woman always manages to look all wrong, no matter how expensive her clothes and accessories are ( and they're very expensive; the MSM used to talk about how she got stuff from nondesigners, trying to make her look less elitist, but it just isn't so ), and they are very expensive!
[...] White House Painting: Obama Throws Artist Under the Bus According to Semonti Stephens, Michelle Obama's deputy press secretary, the painting was moved “because it didn't fit the space right. … [...]
[...] abyssmade him one of the most sought-after directors in hollywood, and he continued through . . . White House Painting: Obama Throws Artist Under the Bus As stated by semonti stephens, michelle obama' s deputy press secretary, the painting was moved [...]
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