http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/08/25/girl-on-trial-for-making-bad-art/
a friend posted this on facebook..
"Police in Sweden rushed to the aid of Anna Odell (left), a student at Stockholm's Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, when she seemed poised to jump off of the Liljeholmen Bridge.
After she was released from a day of psychiatric lockdown, Anna then "announced" that it had all been a part of her questionable final year art project, a performance piece meant to highlight the flaws in Sweden's psychiatric-care system.
She is now being charged with false alarm, violent resistance and "fraudulent practice," which means she caused financial damage without profit. She is also facing a claim against her from North Stockholm Psychiatry for $1,700 and possible imprisonment. If only there were legal repercussions against everybody who makes crappy conceptual art."
Christian Graphic T-Shirts
3 years ago
wow...what a story. i understand the artist's desire to "highlight flaws" in the psychiatric system, but s stunt like that dilutes resources from those who need them as well as diluting credibility for those who truly struggle with suicidal thoughts.
ReplyDeletealso, i generally vehemently object to any "art" that causes psychological distress to others. i am not talking about, say, gruesome paintings about war, which are certainly distressing, but rather abuses of the idea that the reaction of the audience is the true art - emotional manipulation of the viewer in a way which causes embarrassment, stress, or pain.
have you seen the movie The Shape of Things?
that is the "art" that i object to.
love,caro
It is interesting to me that Anna Odell chose to investigate and expose the flaws in the psychiatric system in this particular way. I wonder if the suicide ploy was the quickest, most expedient way to enter and extricate herself from the system? I wonder if she succeeded in any way in her attempt at exposure of flaws? What were the flaws she was trying to expose? The very contemptuous response of the commenter brings home to me the degree to which the idea of suicide is really "protected" - what I mean is that this young artist exploring an idea and using suicide as a vehicle/tool to promote her goal opens herself to and becomes subject to a great deal of serious repercussion...
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