Florida school deems Michelangelo's David statute pornographic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect there is more to this story. But, having been a Middle School student and having raised Middle School students, I would suggest that there are plenty of examples of Renaissance Art that could have been shared rather than this one. This would not have been my choice.

But, I suspect there is a lot more than just sharing this picture. (And, the David I saw was in a building--I think that is a replica in the picture?)

I taught 4th grade at a Catholic school in Kansas City, Missouri. When we read the book From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (Author, Illustrator), we took a tour of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. It was such a fun language arts unit to teach. I had sent requests to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC for maps. They mailed free packets one for each student to go along with the novel.

When we toured the Nelson, I had parents with me. And I prepared the parents and the students ahead of time that they would see some images or sculptures of humans without clothes on or draped in clothes. My fourth grade students did "giggle" and laugh when they were at the museum and saw some of the art, but it would be the same as if they were listening to "opera". The children were great.

This famous sculpture by Rodin was a gift to Kansas City by Grant and Mathilde Rosenzweig and sits on the south lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

The Nelson has a copy of Copy after Michelangelo's "Aurora" https://art.nelson-atkins.org/objects/2209/copy-after-michelangelos-aurora?ctx=6a0b5f1c-2072-498e-aba7-156b63510447&idx=152

There's also a statue of David in Sarasota, Florida visible to anyone who goes there. The statue of Michelangelo's "David" at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, is the only one in the Western Hemisphere.

As a GenXer woman, I'm so perplexed by the obsession of the right in Florida on this topic, when the beach is so nearby for one, and children there see much more of the human body than in most other states. And Miami is located in Florida, South Beach of all places, where it's not exactly conservative.

+1
Taught by nuns in middle school and they were excellent teachers of renaissance art. There was no blushing when talking about art. But then again not only were they religious but also educated.

There is something about this whole movement that smacks of letting the ignorant and stupid define what is educational.

Ever the British series on PBS with Sr. Wendy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect there is more to this story. But, having been a Middle School student and having raised Middle School students, I would suggest that there are plenty of examples of Renaissance Art that could have been shared rather than this one. This would not have been my choice.

But, I suspect there is a lot more than just sharing this picture. (And, the David I saw was in a building--I think that is a replica in the picture?)

Please tell me that you are kidding. Please, please, please.

[Anonymous]

This is so ridiculous. Do the Christians complaining about this David remember this is the David of David v. Goliath, the Biblical story?

And that’s not to mention the historical and artistic significance of the piece. The statue was originally given to two other artists, but neither could actually make it work (huge statue and not the best quality marble). It sat there for decades before Michelangelo came along and carved it into an masterpiece. And originally it wasn’t in an art gallery or some private collection; it was in a public square in Florence and a symbol of the city-state and its struggle against rival powers (supposedly David’s glare was turned towards Rome).

This could be a great conversation starter about the linkages between religion, history and art, and absolutely what people expect a classical education to cover. But no… I guess it’a just porn now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect there is more to this story. But, having been a Middle School student and having raised Middle School students, I would suggest that there are plenty of examples of Renaissance Art that could have been shared rather than this one. This would not have been my choice.

But, I suspect there is a lot more than just sharing this picture. (And, the David I saw was in a building--I think that is a replica in the picture?)

I taught 4th grade at a Catholic school in Kansas City, Missouri. When we read the book From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (Author, Illustrator), we took a tour of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. It was such a fun language arts unit to teach. I had sent requests to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC for maps. They mailed free packets one for each student to go along with the novel.

When we toured the Nelson, I had parents with me. And I prepared the parents and the students ahead of time that they would see some images or sculptures of humans without clothes on or draped in clothes. My fourth grade students did "giggle" and laugh when they were at the museum and saw some of the art, but it would be the same as if they were listening to "opera". The children were great.

This famous sculpture by Rodin was a gift to Kansas City by Grant and Mathilde Rosenzweig and sits on the south lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

The Nelson has a copy of Copy after Michelangelo's "Aurora" https://art.nelson-atkins.org/objects/2209/copy-after-michelangelos-aurora?ctx=6a0b5f1c-2072-498e-aba7-156b63510447&idx=152

There's also a statue of David in Sarasota, Florida visible to anyone who goes there. The statue of Michelangelo's "David" at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, is the only one in the Western Hemisphere.

As a GenXer woman, I'm so perplexed by the obsession of the right in Florida on this topic, when the beach is so nearby for one, and children there see much more of the human body than in most other states. And Miami is located in Florida, South Beach of all places, where it's not exactly conservative.

+1
Taught by nuns in middle school and they were excellent teachers of renaissance art. There was no blushing when talking about art. But then again not only were they religious but also educated.

There is something about this whole movement that smacks of letting the ignorant and stupid define what is educational.

Ever the British series on PBS with Sr. Wendy?

Yes, I caught a few episodes a while back. She was so fun. Not like the nuns I knew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Conservatives are the American Taliban.

This a million times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect there is more to this story. But, having been a Middle School student and having raised Middle School students, I would suggest that there are plenty of examples of Renaissance Art that could have been shared rather than this one. This would not have been my choice.

But, I suspect there is a lot more than just sharing this picture. (And, the David I saw was in a building--I think that is a replica in the picture?)

You are a ridiculous, repressed clown. The kids need to learn about art so they don’t grow up to be as small minded as you.

[Anonymous]

It’s interesting to see how many people have shut down the fascist excuser. I’m noticing less patience among people for the excuses of those who are any fascism as the law of the land.

[Anonymous]

You don't have to guess at the idiotic reasons this happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Conservatives are the American Taliban.

Yep. We sent our military to Afghanistan to defeat terrorism but they only ended up learning the tricks of the trade instead. Then they came home and started to implement Taliban inspired control tactics within the USA.

I've thought these thoughts for a long time now. Plus we keep importing people from 3rd world countries that have backwards views.

[Anonymous]

From the original article: " The school is required to teach about Renaissance art in the sixth grade in order to keep its Classical specification with Hillsdale College curriculum."

How do you teach classical art in a manner that avoids nudity? Greek and Roman sculpture, mosaics, pottery, pretty much anything that survives varies between breasts, butt and full frontal.

[Anonymous]

I used to draw live nude models in my college art classes. That'll probably go next. And anatomy classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to draw live nude models in my college art classes. That'll probably go next. And anatomy classes.

Oh please, art was cut eons ago. Too decadent. Doesn't help train anyone for a life of drudgery and obedience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't have to guess at the idiotic reasons this happened.

That interview was such a fascinating read.

The administrator was like "Yeah we know most of the parents are going to protest our decision, but tough luck." Unreal. Pretty clear he's just a nervous political hack.

[Anonymous]

Gasp! Children should never look at Mannerist depiction of a man with marble junk. They need to focus on the active shooter drills. No beauty for them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the original article: " The school is required to teach about Renaissance art in the sixth grade in order to keep its Classical specification with Hillsdale College curriculum."

How do you teach classical art in a manner that avoids nudity? Greek and Roman sculpture, mosaics, pottery, pretty much anything that survives varies between breasts, butt and full frontal.

There’s actually plenty of Renaissance artwork that has had fig leafs painted over the genitalia so we’re safe.

(Happy that art history degree paid of for this post!!)