Neighbor from h*ll puts up Swastika display; Claims it's 'Art'

When does "Art" go too far?

A California man has become the neighbor from h*ll by plastering swastika-covered Israeli and American flags across the front of his home and refusing all demands he take them down.

The Sacramento homeowner also fashioned a soldier out of wood and green cloth and strung up a Palestinian flag above the house.

He calls it his art, neighbors say, and there's nothing the police will do about it.

'This is ridiculous,' nearby resident Rick Reader told KCRA. 'Seeing this is ridiculous. That's crazy.'

One man who's acquainted with the homeowner and tried to level with him. '(The swastikas) kind of cross the line for this neighborhood,' the concerned neighbor recalled saying. ' [but] he called it his art and got very defensive about it.'

Police on Monday dropped by the house and spoke to the homeowner, but said there's nothing they could do.

KCRA also tried to speak to the man, who appeared at his front door wearing a hoodie but refused to comment.

So, for now, residents nearby remain helpless to do anything about the display.

At night: The offensive display is also festooned with Christmas lights to make it an evening eyesore, as well

KCRA

"So, I went over one day and just said, '(The swastikas) kind of cross the line for this neighborhood,'" said one neighbor, who didn’t want to provide his name. "He called it his art and got very defensive about it."

Others in the area said the display is not art.

KCRA 3 tried to ask the man behind the displays what they meant, but he refused to explain.

So the question is, is this hate speech masquerading as "art"? Or is this art gone too far? When does "art" cross the line? Yes, art can sometimes push boundaries, and sometimes it can skirt them. But there are times when it can go so far beyond them, it can make them question the very artist who "created" it.

Personally for me, I think this is a case of hate speech masquerading as art, but that's just MY personal take. What is yours?

Its art. And a statement. many of us "get it". Its not "pro Nazi" either.

Its funny how most Americans can live in "this art" daily and support it blindly...until they "see it" then its an eyesore.

Alls I see is a billboard for typical Western Culture.

Maybe if Lady Gaga was somehow pictured alongside it...residents would clap.

MM

a reply to: Anyafaj

In Germany that guy would have been arrested. While I do support freedom of speech sometimes for moral reasons, you have to consider the feelings of other people.

I remember one time in my old high school my classmates sang Happy Birthday to Hitler and were in trouble because one of the teacher's grandmother was Jewish.

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: Anyafaj

In Germany that guy would have been arrested. While I do support freedom of speech sometimes for moral reasons, you have to consider the feelings of other people.

You ever think this is EXACTLY that? Considering the feelings of other people? Like...millions of dead people...and millions more being killed as we speak?


MM

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: Anyafaj

In Germany that guy would have been arrested. While I do support freedom of speech sometimes for moral reasons, you have to consider the feelings of other people.

I remember one time in my old high school my classmates sang Happy Birthday to Hitler and were in trouble because one of the teacher's grandmother was Jewish.

I remember reading awhile back a family wanted a birthday cake for their son, who's name of course was Adolf. Yeah, that went over about as well as could be expected.

ART is not hate.

The guy who did this obviously fell out of the "stupid" tree, striking every branch on the way down.

Somethings one shouldn't do even though one can.

a reply to: Anyafaj

Naming your child Adolf is knowingly putting a stigma on your son for life.

originally posted by: Ultralight
ART is not hate.

The guy who did this obviously fell out of the "stupid" tree, striking every branch on the way down.

Somethings one shouldn't do even though one can.

I see...so...this is hate? Not art. Got it...hate.

Are you an artist? I am. Born and raised, paid and published.

Art can be hate. Art can be any emotion or none at all.

Do you really see a guy who supports Nazis here?

This is most likely a guy shoving the truth in your face...that your leaders and your militaries are doing war crimes akin to the Nazis.

Oh wait...art should also never come with hidden meaning and be taken at face value cus real art panders to people unable to consider deeper agendas and ideals.

Sigh...

MM

originally posted by: Mr Mask
Its art. And a statement. many of us "get it". Its not "pro Nazi" either.

Its funny how most Americans can live in "this art" daily and support it blindly...until they "see it" then its an eyesore.

Alls I see is a billboard for typical Western Culture.

Maybe if Lady Gaga was somehow pictured alongside it...residents would clap.

MM

Art should of course be a part of everyday life, and for most it is in one way or another, but there have to be limits.

For example, would you claim it's still a perfectly acceptable form of artistic expression if he was living across from a school and displayed pornography while calling it art?

In another context and framing, perhaps there would be a point. In this instance, it seems to be nothing more than a simple-minded individual with extreme political views using the most vague excuse of "art" to deflect correctly directed accusation.

He doesn't need to be displaying this outside knowing it would offend many people, real artists generally don't do that, it detracts from what you're attempting to do. Unless needlessly offending people with the most blatant and derivative nonsense is what he considers his "art" to be.

originally posted by: Anyafaj

So the question is, is this hate speech masquerading as "art"? Or is this art gone too far?

Neither. Its expression of opinion, an opinion that you personally dislike. That does not make it "hate speech", or whatever the hell "art gone too far" means.

Sorry bub, but art and statements you personally dislike do not automatically fall into the category of "hate".

a reply to: Mr Mask

Ok. I won't buy your art.

a reply to: Mr Mask

Well there was a thread a few months ago about a man who protest Obama policies by displaying a swastika flag and how the Jewish neighbors were seriously offended

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Link to story

www.13newsnow.com...

originally posted by: Mr Mask
Are you an artist? I am. Born and raised, paid and published.

I am.
I'm the son of an artist, studied fine art, also published, had three gallery shows and regularly work on commission.
The fact that you are an artist should also mean that you understand that art does not exist in a vacuum. You cannot separate art from social context and environment - nor should you try to.

originally posted by: Mr Mask
Oh wait...art should also never come with hidden meaning and be taken at face value cus real art panders to people unable to consider deeper agendas and ideals.

No one is saying that, and the fact that you're putting words in their mouths about what they think of art in general suggests you already know you're wrong on this.

And you really are wrong. Using the excuse of "it's art" does not give you a free pass. Claiming someone simply "doesn't get it" is arrogant in the extreme.
The fact is, the context of this "art" is not correct, not acceptable, and not appropriate. The artist has to consider the environment for what they are creating, it's a core and fundamental aspect of public display and installation.

I would not expect to put one of my oil on canvas nudes in a hospital ward, nor one of my erotic sketches in a school. Whether you like it or not, we share this world with others, and your ideas of art do not trump the rights of others to not feel threatened.

originally posted by: Rocker2013

Art should of course be a part of everyday life, and for most it is in one way or another, but there have to be limits.

And what limits are those? A symbol should be seen as porn? lol. No. That is Nazi crap right there. You are legally allowed to hang any flag you choose. Be it a nazi flag, an American flag or any mixture of. That's American freedom. You deal with that or you move away. Simple.

For example, would you claim it's still a perfectly acceptable form of artistic expression if he was living across from a school and displayed pornography while calling it art?

There are laws that govern what is art and what is not. Porn is not legally defended as art. So no. Your argument is not only flawed it has zero to do with this issue.

In another context and framing, perhaps there would be a point. In this instance, it seems to be nothing more than a simple-minded individual with extreme political views using the most vague excuse of "art" to deflect correctly directed accusation.

One can argue your views on this to be equally (or more so) simple-minded. I personally find your stance to be very Anti-American and Pro-Totalitarian.

He doesn't need to be displaying this outside knowing it would offend many people,

Why not? Should he simply remain silent and watch the thousands being killed for nefarious reasons? Should he pop in a Jay-Z CD have a coke and smile blissfully while you rule his rights to "art"?

real artists generally don't do that, it detracts from what you're attempting to do.

Oh really? Let me get this right...REAL artists stay within safe areas of creation so people like you don't get huffy and upset? I see...so, all the famous artists (living and dead) have always played it safe...and they should also do so by law? Just so wittle sensitive people don't get upsetty?

lol...again...no. ART is a punch to the jaw and a stab to the ribs. ART is blood and suffering. REAL art don;t give a damn who or what you worship or hold dear.

Sadly "real art" is something MOST Americans couldn't stomach due to the lifelong indoctrination effects that have forver stunted their values, morals and intelligence.

Unless needlessly offending people with the most blatant and derivative nonsense is what he considers his "art" to be.

And what IF that is what his art is meant to be (I can almost assure you that is not his meaning here but- what if?).

Should be be silenced and stifled? Maybe rounded up and beaten for his art? Oh wait...lets just force him to move from his land and tell him his family don't own it anymore? If he refuses to bow to our "deep wisdoms of art" we can always kill him...maybe put him in a camp?

Do we have room in those camps still?

Wait....what are we talking about? Art? Oh ya, ART!!!

IF THIS IS ART HOW COME THERE ARE NO PRETTY FLOWERS AND PICTURES OF HALF NUDE CHICKS!?

Art...psssh...art never offends or has a strong message that may offend the masses...art can't offend people. THAT'S SILLY!

Heil ART!

MM

originally posted by: starwarsisreal

In Germany that guy would have been arrested. While I do support freedom of speech sometimes for moral reasons, you have to consider the feelings of other people.

And you forgot to add at the end: "and then not say anything if you find that even in the most remote of possibilities, you might offend someones delicate sensibilities and sense of entitlement that their nonsensical beliefs not ever be questioned".

Foam padded failed liberal ideological garbage pushing to curtail what freedom of speech and expression truly means, distorting it into a perverted mutation of its intended form.

"Art" or not, he will eventually be forced to remove it. One of his neighbors will sue, and rightfully so, claiming that they have been harmed financially, via diminished property value. I mean, who wants to live next door to a Nazi? Significantly fewer people, that is for certain.

originally posted by: Rocker2013

I am.
I'm the son of an artist, studied fine art, also published, had three gallery shows and regularly work on commission.
The fact that you are an artist should also mean that you understand that art does not exist in a vacuum. You cannot separate art from social context and environment - nor should you try to.

Ok artist guy...then get this.

HIS MESSAGE IS THAT AMERICANS ARE DUMB AND BLIND TO ATROCITIES ON WEAKER PEOPLE.

His message is to take notice.

His message is clear and we need more people doing this.

The only "shame" here...is the shame you, me and everyone who pays for the murder of millions should be feeling.

This guy may be a sucky artist...but he sure as hell got people talking about larger issues than who won the last Oscar.

Tell me...how much talk is your "safe art" getting?

MM

So another words, most of this guy's neighbours are completely missing the 'stop-the-Palestinian-genocide-US/Israel-allied-war-mongering' message he's displaying in his front lawn ?

All they see is a swastika and the rest flew right over their heads ?

Why doesn't this surprise me...

a reply to: Rocker2013

I would buy your art, Rocker.

a reply to: Mr Mask

You basically just either ignored my points, or warped them to dodge having to respond to the actual point, and all while mixing in stereotypical anti-American rants and verging on antisemitism at the same time.

Well done you.

And yes, I would recommend you calm down a little, maybe put on a Jay-Z CD and sip a nice cold Coke.