Comments on: Cartoon Last Supper offends some San Diegans http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:31:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Joe Jusko http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3130669 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:18:21 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3130669 Maybe they're serving Hossenfeffer. Maybe they’re serving Hossenfeffer.

]]> by: Craig Kausen http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3128066 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:35:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3128066 I was sent a link to this thread yesterday. My name is Craig Kausen and I am Chuck Jones’ grandson. I operate the gallery that is presenting ‘The Gathering’ by Tarnowski. I hope that everyone who has posted or followed this thread will read this entire post (long as it is.) I have read many blog posts and have spoken with many people about their feelings about the painting. First of all, I applaud everyone who has stated their feelings and thoughts about it and their interpretations of the motivation and meaning. I can understand from just looking at the painting it might be perceived as irreverent or mocking of an historical depiction by Da Vinci portraying an important moment in the Christian faith. However, just like any work of art, it is important to look beyond the surface and find out what the motivation of the artist was when it was created. First of all, Glen Tarnowski is one of the most devout Christian men I have ever had the honor of knowing. His entire purpose for creating his artwork is to raise the human spirit and to inspire the human heart. When I spoke with him about the painting, he explained that he imagined what if we were all living in world where we were all cartoon characters. He said that God's love for us is so strong that no matter what we are God would want to gather us to Him, thus the name of the painting ‘The Gathering’. He also said that many of us sometimes lose sight of the meaning behind a symbol like a painting and that it is perfect opportunity to revisit the deeper meaning behind these wonderful symbols. My observation of this man is that his Faith is so strong and so pure, that the respect he has for Da Vinci and even more so for his Christian Faith, there is absolutely no irreverence in this painting. Rather, there is passion for and love of God and Faith instilled in it from Glen. As for the timing of the painting, it was created months ago and it was displayed weeks ago. I believe the timing of the coverage and reaction is based upon those that have seen it in recent weeks in San Diego. By chance, I did speak with a Catholic Priest down the street from the gallery when the reactions started to arise. I told him about the artist, about the painting, and asked for his thoughts. He said he thought it sounded wonderful. Although he said it was a bit far to go take a look right then (being in his 80s), he promised he would stop by to see it in person. I will follow up with him soon. I am glad to hear (as I have already) any and all opinions and speak with anyone who would be interested. You can email me at craig@chuckjones.com if you'd like to contact me. With respect, Craig Kausen I was sent a link to this thread yesterday. My name is Craig Kausen and I am Chuck Jones’ grandson. I operate the gallery that is presenting ‘The Gathering’ by Tarnowski.

I hope that everyone who has posted or followed this thread will read this entire post (long as it is.)

I have read many blog posts and have spoken with many people about their feelings about the painting. First of all, I applaud everyone who has stated their feelings and thoughts about it and their interpretations of the motivation and meaning.

I can understand from just looking at the painting it might be perceived as irreverent or mocking of an historical depiction by Da Vinci portraying an important moment in the Christian faith. However, just like any work of art, it is important to look beyond the surface and find out what the motivation of the artist was when it was created.

First of all, Glen Tarnowski is one of the most devout Christian men I have ever had the honor of knowing. His entire purpose for creating his artwork is to raise the human spirit and to inspire the human heart.

When I spoke with him about the painting, he explained that he imagined what if we were all living in world where we were all cartoon characters. He said that God’s love for us is so strong that no matter what we are God would want to gather us to Him, thus the name of the painting ‘The Gathering’. He also said that many of us sometimes lose sight of the meaning behind a symbol like a painting and that it is perfect opportunity to revisit the deeper meaning behind these wonderful symbols.

My observation of this man is that his Faith is so strong and so pure, that the respect he has for Da Vinci and even more so for his Christian Faith, there is absolutely no irreverence in this painting. Rather, there is passion for and love of God and Faith instilled in it from Glen.

As for the timing of the painting, it was created months ago and it was displayed weeks ago. I believe the timing of the coverage and reaction is based upon those that have seen it in recent weeks in San Diego.

By chance, I did speak with a Catholic Priest down the street from the gallery when the reactions started to arise. I told him about the artist, about the painting, and asked for his thoughts. He said he thought it sounded wonderful. Although he said it was a bit far to go take a look right then (being in his 80s), he promised he would stop by to see it in person. I will follow up with him soon.

I am glad to hear (as I have already) any and all opinions and speak with anyone who would be interested.

You can email me at craig@chuckjones.com if you’d like to contact me.

With respect,
Craig Kausen

]]> by: Escandalo en vísperas de Semana Santa | Comics, historietas, animación y manga en Culturacomic.com http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3121964 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:33:51 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3121964 [...] Hace dos semanas, la galería de San Diego presentó un homenaje a Chuck Jones, en donde la pieza de Tarnowski sustituye con los personajes de la pintura original por los Looney Tunes. Algunos visitantes han expresado su queja a través de llamadas y correos mientras que hay un par de interesados en comprar la pintura al menos en $20 mil dólares. [...] […] Hace dos semanas, la galería de San Diego presentó un homenaje a Chuck Jones, en donde la pieza de Tarnowski sustituye con los personajes de la pintura original por los Looney Tunes. Algunos visitantes han expresado su queja a través de llamadas y correos mientras que hay un par de interesados en comprar la pintura al menos en $20 mil dólares. […]

]]> by: Kwesi K. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3121643 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:11:24 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3121643 Rex, stop lying. http://images.google.com/images?q=danish mohammed cartoon Rex, stop lying.

http://images.google.com/images?q=danish mohammed cartoon

]]> by: ed http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119488 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:58:41 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119488 So, Roadrunner's the 5th Cylon?? So, Roadrunner’s the 5th Cylon??

]]> by: michael http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119481 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:49:48 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119481 On one hand, as a Christian, initially, I think it caused a reaction, based on what the original painting is supposed to represent. BUT realistically, I mean, it was a painting by some Italian dude, many centuries after the fact and it doesn't even accurately represent what supposedly happened, so... plus, there have been so many takes on the painting, that if this is the one that gets to people, they've had their blinders on too long. On one hand, as a Christian, initially, I think it caused a reaction, based on what the original painting is supposed to represent. BUT realistically, I mean, it was a painting by some Italian dude, many centuries after the fact and it doesn’t even accurately represent what supposedly happened, so…

plus, there have been so many takes on the painting, that if this is the one that gets to people, they’ve had their blinders on too long.

]]> by: Jonathan http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119330 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:20:17 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119330 Well, yes, of course fuck 'em if they can't joke. But... I mean... AND... what's funny about this to me is that the people claiming sacrilege are committing it themselves. Leonardo's Last Supper is not in the Bible. It's a painting one guy made. And, in fact, it's a painting made by a guy who was also accused of sacrilege. So, for these yahoos to insist that a non-canonical painting by a religious skeptic deserves religious revery just points out how ignorant and self-contradictory they are. Which is redundant, I know. Just sayin'. Well, yes, of course fuck ‘em if they can’t joke.

But… I mean… AND… what’s funny about this to me is that the people claiming sacrilege are committing it themselves. Leonardo’s Last Supper is not in the Bible. It’s a painting one guy made. And, in fact, it’s a painting made by a guy who was also accused of sacrilege. So, for these yahoos to insist that a non-canonical painting by a religious skeptic deserves religious revery just points out how ignorant and self-contradictory they are. Which is redundant, I know. Just sayin’.

]]> by: Doug http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119312 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:04:52 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119312 According to Dan Brown, Road Runner had Bugs Bunny's baby. According to Dan Brown, Road Runner had Bugs Bunny’s baby.

]]> by: Rex http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119286 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:56:48 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119286 I find the display not particularly funny or courageous in a world where nearly all of the media outlets refused to publish the Danish Mohammed cartoons. I find the display not particularly funny or courageous in a world where nearly all of the media outlets refused to publish the Danish Mohammed cartoons.

]]> by: Tina Caldwell http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119285 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:56:26 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119285 While I leave every person's judgment to themselves, as a Christian, I believe God has a sense of humor too. Besides, a rendering of this event does not change the event at all. On another note, to the artist's credit, he did leave Taz out...him being a devil and all! While I leave every person’s judgment to themselves, as a Christian, I believe God has a sense of humor too. Besides, a rendering of this event does not change the event at all. On another note, to the artist’s credit, he did leave Taz out…him being a devil and all!

]]> by: Spectre http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119276 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:50:04 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119276 I'm only offended at how cliche it is. Yet ANOTHER last supper parody. How creative. I’m only offended at how cliche it is. Yet ANOTHER last supper parody. How creative.

]]> by: Marcus Lusk http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119212 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:10:35 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119212 Personally I'm not offended, but yeah, I think it's in questionable taste. I don't read where any of the passers-by are actually protesting or freaking out to any degree. They just don't like it. Personally I’m not offended, but yeah, I think it’s in questionable taste. I don’t read where any of the passers-by are actually protesting or freaking out to any degree. They just don’t like it.

]]> by: Mark Coale http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119133 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:24:13 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119133 "Bugs Bunny died for our sins." I thought it was Wile E. Coyote, according to Animal Man #5. “Bugs Bunny died for our sins.”

I thought it was Wile E. Coyote, according to Animal Man #5.

]]> by: Patrick McEvoy http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119112 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:17:32 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3119112 I'm glad crime, poverty, illness, and all other problems have been wiped out in San Diego, so all people have to do is complain about crap like this. Sounds like they've created a veritable utopia down there. I’m glad crime, poverty, illness, and all other problems have been wiped out in San Diego, so all people have to do is complain about crap like this. Sounds like they’ve created a veritable utopia down there.

]]> by: Steve Price http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118976 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:55:03 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118976 Pwoponents of the ACME code beweive that the Coyote's twemendous wecupewative powers and pwacement in the painting suggest his divinity as well... Pwoponents of the ACME code beweive that the Coyote’s twemendous wecupewative powers and pwacement in the painting suggest his divinity as well…

]]> by: Richard J. Marcej http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118947 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:44:01 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118947 Bugs Bunny died for our sins. Well, it is Easter and he is a rabbit, so....... Bugs Bunny died for our sins.
Well, it is Easter and he is a rabbit, so…….

]]> by: Steve Price http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118853 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:04:04 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118853 "Wesuwwect the Wabbit! WESUWWECT THE WABBIT!" “Wesuwwect the Wabbit! WESUWWECT THE WABBIT!”

]]> by: Mark Coale http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118830 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:53:21 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118830 I was about to say "Are they offended that the Grinch is included in a painting of WB characters?" I was about to say “Are they offended that the Grinch is included in a painting of WB characters?”

]]> by: Torsten Adair http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118809 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:45:49 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118809 The purists would take offense at The Grinch being included. From what I can surmise... Elmer Fudd is Judas Iscariot. The Grinch is Peter, Marvin is Thomas, Daffy is James the Greater, Marc Anthony is Philip, Pepe is Matthew, Gossamer is Jude Thaddeus, Porky is Simon, the Road Runner is John, Wile E. Coyote is James, Junyer (Baby) Bear is James the Lesser, and Henry Hawk is Bartholomew. And Bugs, reminiscent of his role in "Duck Amuck", is Jesus. This is nothing new for Chuck Jones (or his gallery) as he reinterpreted many classics using Warner Brothers characters ("Nude Duck Descending a Staircase"). More offensive would be Bugs Bunny on a crucifix. (Although DC used something similar to great effect in "Batman: Holy Terror".) Of course, there's that whole business of Exodus 20:4... "You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." Me... I've already paved my acre of Hell with good intentions, and am working on the parking garage. The purists would take offense at The Grinch being included.

From what I can surmise… Elmer Fudd is Judas Iscariot. The Grinch is Peter, Marvin is Thomas, Daffy is James the Greater, Marc Anthony is Philip, Pepe is Matthew, Gossamer is Jude Thaddeus, Porky is Simon, the Road Runner is John, Wile E. Coyote is James, Junyer (Baby) Bear is James the Lesser, and Henry Hawk is Bartholomew. And Bugs, reminiscent of his role in “Duck Amuck”, is Jesus.

This is nothing new for Chuck Jones (or his gallery) as he reinterpreted many classics using Warner Brothers characters (”Nude Duck Descending a Staircase”). More offensive would be Bugs Bunny on a crucifix. (Although DC used something similar to great effect in “Batman: Holy Terror”.)

Of course, there’s that whole business of Exodus 20:4… “You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

Me… I’ve already paved my acre of Hell with good intentions, and am working on the parking garage.

]]> by: Julian B http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118798 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:40:20 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118798 i'm with ya, they probably got pissed about that episode of south park a few weeks ago too. i’m with ya, they probably got pissed about that episode of south park a few weeks ago too.

]]> by: Michael http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118762 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:22:52 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/04/03/cartoon-last-supper-offends-some-san-diegans/#comment-3118762 Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke. Fuck ‘em if they can’t take a joke.

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