Comments on: The work can speak for itself.

The work can speak for itself.

three blind mice — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 05:10:24 -0800

In the spirit of free speech. (SLYT in Swedish.) Artist Lars Vilks' sculpture Nimis Nimis in the Republic of Ladonia (a k a, the Kullaberg nature reserve) (previously) has been made into a minaret, broadcasting the Islamic call to prayer six times a day.

The artist, who wishes to remain anonymous is quoted as saying: "The work can speak for itself. There is already enough narcissism and exhbitionism within the Swedish art community."

By: Faint of Butt

Faint of Butt — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 05:13:17 -0800

Why do I feel like Edward Woodward should be trapped inside, screaming?

By: bardophile

bardophile — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 06:14:00 -0800

Interesting that he chose to set it to broadcast six times a day. I'm contemplating why he might have made that choice. Is it to distinguish the intent? Presumably the timer is set at four hour intervals, rather than in any kind of co-ordination with the five prayer times. So is this a way to say "Look, this sound should be just as acceptable in a public space as any other, even if it means nothing to you."?

By: parmanparman

parmanparman — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 06:25:25 -0800

By: MuffinMan

MuffinMan — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 06:54:40 -0800

Lar·son (Lärsn) n. The act of voluntarily and willfully hanging a Scandinavian artwork to inflame someone about something to with Islam.

By: Mooseli

Mooseli — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:09:11 -0800

So is this a way to say "Look, this sound should be just as acceptable in a public space as any other, even if it means nothing to you."? Unless Google Translate is horribly wrong I really don't think so: "He spoke at a recent meeting in New York organized by Zion (Stop Islamization of nations)."

By: Atreides

Atreides — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:29:33 -0800

Here's the English Wikipedia version of the article linked to above on Kullaberg, and another on Ladonia (for those who don't wish to find it in the previous). And...here's a google translation of the quote page.

By: bardophile

bardophile — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:37:50 -0800

Ok, then I'm just terribly confused. Lars Vilk, who created the original sculpture, spoke at a talk organized by SION. Now an anonymous artist has put into the sculpture a device that will broadcast the azaan. Is that what's happened? Why?

By: kiskar

kiskar — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:42:28 -0800

Awesome! I was Secretary of State for Ladonia in the late 1990s, coinciding with my last year at Saint Mary's College High School. Glad to see Lars has continued his work despite the pressure that the local police put on him to stop his building activities. > So is this a way to say "Look, this sound should be just as acceptable in a public space as any other, even if it means nothing to you."? Unless Google Translate is horribly wrong I really don't think so: "He spoke at a recent meeting in New York organized by Zion (Stop Islamization of nations)." I think you have misread the article. From what I read, Lars created the original sculpture but had Lars had nothing to do with the modifications. Why? From the mangled translation of the first link: It could be that they consider me as the Islam critics who would take offense if it came a call to prayer, but it can also be a humorous points and a comment to the debate, said Vilks to the radio.