Opinions needed: Crossing the line or setting it straight?

[a12ctic]

Okay, so I need some input on a situation that has arisen. I am a senior in high school and was required to do a small art project symbolising our future.

I figured I would do something that meant something to me and not just the same ******** every shallow senior in high school would do. Instead of pasting some magazine cut outs about college and a career, I photoshopped a picture of myself on to the body of an unpopular dictator and placed the words power, wisdom, nobility, and sexuality under the picture. All of which are concepts that represent the concept of being powerful.

My choice was not an attempt to be offensive and was strictly an attempt at creative satire. my project was well done. However, my teacher has hung every other project, excluding mine, in the classroom.

I'm frustrated because the concept of school should reinforce free thought, not hinder it. Anyway, in my frustration I have decided to stand up for what I believe in and say something to the teacher.

Here are some notes I took on presenting my opinion. Any input would be appreciated.

Curiosity about "my future" art project.

Did project based on creativity. Wanted to do something nobody else would because challenging peoples beliefs is important to teenagers development (in my opinion).
Subnote: project not meant to be offense, but to trigger free thought.

Question possible reasons for offense.

Argument towards sexuality: a symbol of power in my cultures including our own.

Satirical effort; is it not appreciated?

Apologies for any offense taken.

State that challenging the way people think is something that is part of my life and something that I hope can continue to be part of my life as an adult.

Thank you for reading, I apologies for any spelling or grammatical errors in this, it was typed on my nokia e63.

[fguy64]

Did the teacher offer a personal opinion on your work? Did he give you a grade? What was it?

Honestly? I wouldn't take it personally. At least your work had an impact, it wasn't boring. And you wouldn't be the first artist or writer to have his creation censored. This is high school after all. That tends to be kind of vanilla and avoiding controversy.

My guess it was the swastika on the body's arm. Just a guess.

[GNU-Fan]

Yes, definitely talk to the teacher.
I would take the teacher aside after class and ask why your picture was excluded.

If you cannot convince the teacher to revise the decision to exclude your picture, at least (s)he will notice you care. As I see it, you can only win.

[Roxoff]

It may just be that it's been excluded for reasons other than quality and originality. It could be (in fact, I'd consider it likely) that the image is just considered offensive to minority groups in your school, i.e. not considered suitable for display to the other impressionable minds in your classroom. It doesn't make your work less valid, just not suitable for display.

On the other hand, it may also be that your work isn't up to the standard that everyone else reached... you should be prepared for that eventuality, too.

Whatever the reason, you wont find it by posting here asking for opinion. Part of growing up is being able to confront such percieved injustices and learning to discuss them as mature responisble adults. If you've not done that yet with your teachers, then that should be your next step.

[a12ctic]

Did the teacher offer a personal opinion on your work? Did he give you a grade? What was it?

Honestly? I wouldn't take it personally. At least your work had an impact, it wasn't boring. And you wouldn't be the first artist or writer to have his creation censored. This is high school after all. That tends to be kind of vanilla and avoiding controversy.

My guess it was the swastika on the body's arm. Just a guess.

No, it was a recent project. It wasn't hitler, it was a more modern dictator, Kim Jong Il actually. So theoretically, that should be less offensive. The picture is actually entirely tasteful. It just looks like a leader standing in front of troops, I even added a grey filter so that race should be a complete non-issue. The thing I'm afraid was taken seriously was the word "sexuality," but at the same time, it just doesn't make sense to me.

It may just be that it's been excluded for reasons other than quality and originality. It could be (in fact, I'd consider it likely) that the image is just considered offensive to minority groups in your school, i.e. not considered suitable for display to the other impressionable minds in your classroom. It doesn't make your work less valid, just not suitable for display.

On the other hand, it may also be that your work isn't up to the standard that everyone else reached... you should be prepared for that eventuality, too.

Whatever the reason, you wont find it by posting here asking for opinion. Part of growing up is being able to confront such percieved injustices and learning to discuss them as mature responisble adults. If you've not done that yet with your teachers, then that should be your next step.

The minority groups is the only one reason that would actually be reasonable, but at the same time, the picture should be non-offensive to anybody.

What bothered me wasn't that my work wasn't hung up, but that sub par work that was placed in the room. It obviously was not up to the level of quality as my project and was clearly less presentable. My project was better than anybody's in the class.

Also, I have no problem discussing issues with my teachers. It was late at night and I wasn't sleeping. I just posted something that was on my mind. Sometimes I can be quite unreasonable. I was just wondering what someone else thought and had nowhere else to gain input at three in the morning. The reason I did post this is here is because I'm not afraid to seek the opinion of others.

[fguy64]

Well, I would tend to agree with you. I can see maybe if it was Hitler, but it wasn't. Sexuality? That might be it. I guess it would be useful to know why, hopefully you will get a straight answer from the teacher.

Hopefully since it wasn't displayed, they gave your work back to you.

[TaylanUB]

It was late at night and I wasn't sleeping. I just posted something that was on my mind. Sometimes I can be quite unreasonable. I was just wondering what someone else thought and had nowhere else to gain input at three in the morning. The reason I did post this is here is because I'm not afraid to seek the opinion of others.

Pfft, isn't that what the Coffee Lounge is for? ;P


Anyway, i found your story interesting. And i find it sad really, that an `educational' institution does not feel comfortable with presenting a satirical piece of work of OK quality (i am assuming it was OK or higher).

[Bemk]

I am interested in this story. Please let us know what the teacher had as an excuse.

[moshertec]

dude ive been into this type of thinking for a while and im glad someone actually posted somethign like this someoen else had asked if u were graded on this i think if it was fairly done u actually put effort just into the picture u should be getting an a i mean come on art is one of the easiest classes ive ever taken


anyways im guessing along with most of the other people here that you "unpopular dictator" was hitler which who should give a **** about him people censor themselves these days because they dont think they have come to be what they actually are

i know im kinda running my crayon off the page

ok but for one keep doing what your doing never settle for mediocre or however u spell it

if u want them to post it u need to talk to them ask them for a real valid reson why they wouldnt post it


then if they still dont post it you should go talk to a princeable and make sure ur giving a valid reason why it should be posted if u beat them at thier game u win at least ur supposed to

[a12ctic]

I've decided to wait till I receive a grade on the assignment to bring it up to the teacher. If she is concerned about minorities, or upsetting someone, it should not reflect upon my grade. If she is offended by the picture or does not understand the significance, my grade will probably be lower than expected, in that case I will bring up my concern to her.

I'll let you guys know the outcome of the situation.