While your point is valid, it misses the point of this image. My point is not that an image of this type can not be art. My point is that if done ad nauseam, images such as the ones that have shown up here lose their power. I agree that art is subjective; it is incredibly complex. For example, my above image was deliberately made to look trown together, as if I had expended the least ammount of effort to make it (easy, since thats just what I did). However, due to the statment it carried, and its ironic nature I realized it actually was a work of art. This image isnt intended to say what is art and what isnt. Its intended to say that anything can be done to excess, and artists at times must shown temperance.

I find that odd, eye, as these artists started posting in response to what can be construed as "left-wing propaganda" and "America Hating". As for comments, I understand why they do not allow them. Renderosity will pull pieces if they cause too much "controversy or animosity", I forgot the exact wording they used in reply to my (and others) e-mails to them asking why certain things were pulled by them. Other artists, like a certain artist with a fascetious name, were posting personal attacks and insults of the posters of the "right wing" pieces. Of course, the most offensive of the artists (I had a two month long PM conversation with him in which he constantly and consistently resorted to personal attacks against me), is not on the 15 day view. I don't know whether he is on vacatio or what. Anyway, I saw many pieces I would consider "left wing (VERRRRRYYYYY FAR LEFT WING) and Bush Bashing" long before I saw any pro-republican (or anti-Kerry, as many non-republicans/non-conservatives are anti-Kerry as well - myself being one) pieces, yet no one was upset or calling that work "propaganda" except the artists that are now posting opposing/dissenting views. Why is that the group that screams the loudest for freedom of speech and expression is always the first to scream "shut up and sit down" (or in the words of a certain public figure "shove it") when someone says something or expresses an opinion that does not agree with theirs? As for art, yes, a collage is art. I think the greatest form of art is a piece that is left open to the individual viewer to react freely without too much commentary or rhetoric from the artist, as I've stated many times. But, in a collage type presentation, the art is used as a background for the words. Yes, the overuse of such a medium CAN be tedious, but is not always so. That, again, is open to the interpretation of the viewer. I really wish people would stop insulting artists for not allowing comments when it is Renderosity's own policy of pulling things that has caused them to stop allowing comments. I too wish they would allow comments as it puts it all out there, but if it is going to be pulled if someone "goes over the line" (which inevitably happens), then what is the point? If you don't like it, post an opposing piece.

kldorman - I didn't see any of the alleged left-wing propaganda, but if it was as tasteless as this right-wing propaganda (e.g. bringing up allegations of Bush's drug use during his youth) & as cowardly in not allowing comments (despite what Renderosity's policy may be), I would have condemned it as well. And I never suggested censorship - I was merely expressing my opinion that this stuff was sleazy. As for what art is or is not, anyone can label anything they create as art, but I as a viewer or consumer of art am also free to exercise my critical faculties & judge for myself whether it is good art, bad art, or something else entirely masquerading as art.

excellent artwork!!bravo!"vote":DDD

Amen.

It is funny isn't it that as kldorman stated, Renderosity 'will pull pieces if they cause too much "controversy or animosity"'. Art has been controversial from the beginning of our modern age, and long before. Monet and other impressionists were criticised for their skin tones as it was claimed they appeared 'corpse-like', due to the fact they contained blues and greens. And let us not forgot nudity. Although we may see a nude painting circa 1700 and praise it purely on its artistic grounds, contemporary viewers found it 'lewd' and 'morally corrupting'. Regardless of our political views, we live in highly politicised times. It is therefore unsurprising that in any art community there is bound to be a plethora of 'political' imagery. Not meaning to criticise current administrations but I believe most people feel we live in an age lacking accountability. Artists are often (but not always) people who measure their reaction to the world very deeply and are therefore very critical of our mediocrity and the status quo. However, your argument about 'inundating an artistic community' might equally apply to sub-standard art in general (using your criteria of art lacking commitment if not enough time is put into it) I have seen hundreds of Poser renders and photographs that look like the artist has allowed their device to do all the work for them at the press of a button. Similarly also, Andy Warhol produced reams of mass produced art, and it now considered one of the main driving forces in the modern, consumer driven art movement. Frankly, if art of any standard had provoked a reaction within you it has achieved its goal as art. Art itself is (perhaps unfortunately) detached from morality and devoid of any quantifiable measure of 'rightness'. It comes down to the individual responsibility of the artist to care about their work. Would it not be a bland, terrifying world if we all thought the same way? Finally, I don't think we can call anyone who criticises their own nation a 'hater' without knowing more about the driving force of the artist. It often takes courage to point out ones own faults or those of their nation's leaders (didn't we vote them in?). I think if the events of the last eight years have taught us anything, it is to have the courage to examine ourselves without blustering, evangelising or hiding our heads in the sand. The whole world is changing. Are we going to be ready to meet its challenges? Be thankful we can express ourselves. I have learnt a lot about other people's political views through the art of this site. Be well, Huw Carr.