ART101: Fake bombs are not art.
November 30, 2007 9:00 AM   Subscribe

"There is not a bomb by the entrance of the museum" was the telephone message delivered to a museum employee at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum Wednesday evening. This, along with the posting of a video on YouTube entitled The fake bombing at the ROM, Toronto, 28.11.07 led to the cancellation of a gala AIDS fundraiser at the Museum and a massive police investigation. Today, Ontario College of Art and Design student Thorarinn Ingi Jonsson claimed responsibility for the "art project".
posted by rocket88 (93 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
You should know better, Thorarinn. Shame on you.
posted by Mister_A at 9:05 AM on November 30, 2007


What a complete idiot.
posted by matthewr at 9:05 AM on November 30, 2007


Haven't Toronto police had the proper training? The package did not have any flashing LEDs, and was therefore not a bomb.

At any rate, I'm sure he was only jealous that the new ROM addition proved that modern architecture need not be as sinfully ugly as the OCAD building.
posted by Krrrlson at 9:09 AM on November 30, 2007


At least he didn't attach a Lightbrite to his sweater.
posted by Falconetti at 9:09 AM on November 30, 2007


I caught this on the news this morning, but not the fact that someone had claimed responsibility.

This was just really stupid. I can't believe he consulted with a lawyer beforehand, and that the "stunt" still went ahead.
posted by never used baby shoes at 9:11 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


Inspired by Duchamp? Please. How about inspired by a pathetic craving for attention.
posted by davebush at 9:12 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


Here's the real question, though: How many of you would taser him?
posted by DU at 9:14 AM on November 30, 2007 [2 favorites]


I remember when art just hung on the wall and didn't call in fake bomb threats. But I'm old and soon I won't remember anything.
posted by tommasz at 9:20 AM on November 30, 2007 [7 favorites]


I wish I could taser the new wing of the ROM. Only, you know, with a wrecking ball.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:20 AM on November 30, 2007 [2 favorites]


I wish I could taser the new wing of the ROM. Only, you know, with a wrecking ball.

I used to feel that way, but it grew on me... increasing my fears that a parasitic alien technology is involved.
posted by Krrrlson at 9:23 AM on November 30, 2007


Prison - the new art project
posted by caddis at 9:24 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


So ... did Boston freak out anyway?
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:26 AM on November 30, 2007 [3 favorites]


I'd have tased his ass, too.
posted by dersins at 9:27 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


Yea Toronto is not that far away. You notice that the charges he faces are pretty light? I'd actually have thrown a bit heavier book at him for being such a jerktard.
posted by Mister_A at 9:28 AM on November 30, 2007


There is good coverage of this at Torontoist (and a followup interview with the artist) and BlogTO.

They did a half-assed job clearing buildings. The restaurant C5 wasn't evacuated, and neither were the law school kids next door.
posted by chunking express at 9:28 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


Jonsson said he consulted with a lawyer from the student union before he went ahead with his project and was told that being upfront about its being a fake would help protect him from the charge of spreading false news.

Here is his lawyer's wikipedia page.
posted by not_on_display at 9:29 AM on November 30, 2007 [3 favorites]


Jonsson said his conceptual art piece was inspired by the work of Marcel Duchamp, who is most famous for turning an ordinary urinal into an art object.

All that for a project so flunkworthy? What a stupid schmuck.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 9:29 AM on November 30, 2007


Ah, 'art', what can't you be used as an excuse for?
posted by unixrat at 9:29 AM on November 30, 2007 [3 favorites]


He probably would have been better served with the current state of paranoia to have attached a sign to a painting of a bomb saying that "this is not a bomb". The concept was ok, the phone call was ok, but the semi-real looking "bomb" was dumb.
posted by JJ86 at 9:30 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


Here's the real question, though: How many of you would taser him?

I would, bro.
posted by jquinby at 9:35 AM on November 30, 2007


I fear he wasn't spanked enough.

He didn't kill anyone, though, and probably didn't even scare anyone, just annoyed a few people, so I hope they don't treat him harshly. But maybe he should have to pay (in cash or community service) some of the extra costs of dealing with the situation. I wonder what the total bill would be? $100,000 for the AIDS research charity, they claim, and then the cost of emergency services (if they were higher than normal operating costs). Maybe he should have to donate his services to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research. For a long time.
posted by pracowity at 9:36 AM on November 30, 2007


Perhaps a civil suit is in order to recoup the losses to the foundation?

and...what an idiot.....
posted by HuronBob at 9:42 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


At any rate, I'm sure he was only jealous that the new ROM addition proved that modern architecture need not be as sinfully ugly as the OCAD building.

What, you mean Libeskind's magnificent crystal? Which was supposed to be semi-translucent until the contractors realized the proposed building material couldn't hold the form, so they had to go back and clad it with that aluminum-siding stuff with the little vector-slit windows that make it look like a mid-80s postmodern take on a storage shed? And which is an unmitigated disaster as a place to actually exhibit things in? And which fuses to the original building's facade with all the elegant seamlessness of a weekend warrier's ill-conceived back deck project? And which if there were any real justice in this world would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Libeskind and the deconstructivist pose he represents amount to a fraud sold by charlatans to preening jackasses like William Thorsell (ROM CEO) who think notoreity is the same thing as talent and who have so invested themselves in lording their superior taste over the unwashed that they wouldn't say a bad word about the work of an ivory tower clown like Libeskind even if he literally squeezed out a steaming pile and encased it in lucite and used it as the formal model for his next addition to some stately old building?

That crystal?

A pipe bomb is too good for it. It deserves to be wrecking-balled, broken up and melted down, formed into six-piece patio sets and sold at deep CostCo discount to families of five from Newmarket who sit on it while they drink Coors Light and eat barbecued hot dogs.

Meantime, at least this OCAD kid's project is a step in the right direction.
posted by gompa at 9:51 AM on November 30, 2007 [14 favorites]


weekend warrier's

Fuck Daniel Libeskind and fuck his stupid-ass glasses, he makes me so angry I forget how to spell.
posted by gompa at 9:53 AM on November 30, 2007


Yes, there is indeed something missing.

In any case, what a dumbass. If this is the best you can come up with for an art project, you should probably go into accounting or something else innocuous. Or, you know, prison.
posted by baphomet at 9:54 AM on November 30, 2007


This is not a jail cell, in which you will not be confined.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:54 AM on November 30, 2007 [5 favorites]


Fuck Daniel Libeskind and fuck his stupid-ass glasses, he makes me so angry I forget how to spell.

Hey, I was only comparing it to OCAD.

Now, if you think that OCAD actually looks good, then we are enemies forever.
posted by Krrrlson at 9:56 AM on November 30, 2007


He probably would have been better served with the current state of paranoia to have attached a sign to a painting of a bomb saying that "this is not a bomb". The concept was ok, the phone call was ok, but the semi-real looking "bomb" was dumb.

Exactly. Or, what I was thinking was that he should have had a classic ACME-style-pipe-bomb-looking thing, but sculpted in completely clear glass or something.
posted by suedehead at 9:59 AM on November 30, 2007


Now, if you think that OCAD actually looks good, then we are enemies forever.

I don't mind how it looks as much as I hate the crystal; Alsop didn't smear his steaming pile all over the windows of a stately classical building, which gives him a bit more benefit of the doubt. And Alsop strikes me as marginally less hostile to function than Libeskind, and I don't have to see his smirking mug on the cover of design mags as much.

Is it pistols at dawn, or can we chalk it up to chacun a son gout?
posted by gompa at 10:02 AM on November 30, 2007


Ah, fundraisers. Hell, maybe if all the potential attendees care so much about the cause they can just donate the money and not get a schmoozing black tie dinner out of it. I mean, making the best of the situation and all.
posted by iamck at 10:03 AM on November 30, 2007


I remember walking up McCaul while the OCAD expansion was in the last stages of construction. I pointed out one of the "coloured pencils" to the engineer walking with me. (Yes, the whole design just is that very precious). He refused to believe me, and insisted it was just a very long garbage chute for construction refuse.

When he got close enough, he finally believed me.

And this stunt? Jubal wept, man. Jubal wept.
posted by maudlin at 10:04 AM on November 30, 2007


This is not a jail cell, in which you will not be confined.

Perfect.
posted by davebush at 10:05 AM on November 30, 2007


Ce n'est pas une bombe.

Horken Bazooka, a comment was (thankfully) deleted that could have gotten somebody in a bit of trouble. No big deal.
posted by LordSludge at 10:10 AM on November 30, 2007


What's with all those Icelanders in Toronto? You couldn't even fly there from Iceland, last time I checked.
posted by lodurr at 10:10 AM on November 30, 2007


I think it was kind of stupid, but there's plenty of stupidity to spread around on this one. I mean, how much clearer could he have been: "There is NOT a bomb..."
posted by lodurr at 10:13 AM on November 30, 2007


You notice that the charges he faces are pretty light? I'd actually have thrown a bit heavier book at him for being such a jerktard.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
posted by orange swan at 10:21 AM on November 30, 2007


Heh, I definitely applaud the idea, but man was the execution stupid. Not to say the incident was well handled by any means, but seriously, there are better ways of making a political/artistic/whimsical/whatever statement.
posted by Phire at 10:22 AM on November 30, 2007


I'm kind of split on this. It was kind of an inane art project, but I don't think he deserves five years in the poke for it, or even a year. Perhaps to be tossed out of art school and forced to live a blue collar existence for a decade or so before he tries his hand at making art again, now that, I could support.
posted by edgeways at 10:30 AM on November 30, 2007


I think, edgeways, that what you describe is more likely to happen. I would be surprised if this kid did 5 years. I'd expect probation + time served (if any) for a first offense like this in the US; but I am not familiar with the way these things work in Canada.

I also expect he'd have faced much stiffer charges in the US, and might have spent some real time in federal prison, but I don't endorse our draconian policies on so-called terrorism here in the states.

Anyway, I actually think this kid should get some jail time. He didn't mean to hurt anyone, exactly, but his willful actions did hurt the museum, the charity, and Toronto
s bottom line. He should go to the cooler for 6 months or a year.
posted by Mister_A at 10:37 AM on November 30, 2007


fucktard has been charged too.
posted by spish at 10:41 AM on November 30, 2007


"The Brains"

This picture pretty much says it all. It's not very often you see that much face-punchable self-satisfaction crammed into one photo. Also, "The Napkin" rather appropriately looks like a "drawing" of the old ROM being blown up. So long, stately dignity!
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:42 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


9/11 was an inside job inane art project.
posted by Rangeboy at 10:43 AM on November 30, 2007


I don't think he deserves five years in the poke for it

He should go to the cooler for 6 months or a year.


What's it gonna be, boys? Three months in the slammer? A year-long residency in the hoosegow? Two-to-five in the clink? Hard time in the big house? A lifetime in the calaboose?
posted by gompa at 10:44 AM on November 30, 2007


gompa - i think i love you.
posted by spish at 10:45 AM on November 30, 2007



I don't mind how it looks as much as I hate the crystal; Alsop didn't smear his steaming pile all over the windows of a stately classical building, which gives him a bit more benefit of the doubt. And Alsop strikes me as marginally less hostile to function than Libeskind, and I don't have to see his smirking mug on the cover of design mags as much.


I guess that's fair... but there's no doubt in my mind as to which one *I* would bomb first.
posted by Krrrlson at 10:50 AM on November 30, 2007


What, you mean Libeskind's magnificent crystal?

Wow, that thing sits as seamlessly on the old building as a facehugger on John Hurt.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 10:50 AM on November 30, 2007 [5 favorites]


The whole point of the project, fandango_matt, was to cause problems and possibly incite a panic. Bullshit grandstanding amateurish provocateurism is fine, as long as you don't go around talking about bombs, esp. when you've planted a fake bomb at the entrance of a busy public place. It was stupid and disruptive, and I don't believe that people can do whatever the hell they want and excuse it by calling it art. You wax a little hyperbolic, comparing this to the folks who want to murder a teacher for allowing a toy to be named Mohammed or Muhammad.
posted by Mister_A at 10:55 AM on November 30, 2007


Some guy I've never seen before points what looks like a gun at me. There's a little label attached to it with a string:"This is not a gun." The stranger says to me, "This is not a gun". I'm not close enough to the gun to tell for sure if it's fake or real, loaded or empty.

So if I still feel frightened nonetheless, that's totally irrational of me because I've received two separate verbal communications assuring me that it isn't a gun?

I don't think so.
posted by maudlin at 11:02 AM on November 30, 2007


maudlin, I did in fact have something like that happen to me, and it is not any fun at all. It's ridiculous to expect people to believe you mean no harm when you've gone out of your way to project an image of menace.

*arms rhetorical taser*
posted by Mister_A at 11:03 AM on November 30, 2007


I'm conflicted. It was irresponsible, and we can't have people just making bomb threats all the time. But on the other hand people are overreacting to it as always. And he did say it was specifically NOT a bomb, although the article doesn't give us enough information to go on here: was it a snarky "There is not a bomb there" (click) kind of thing, or was it a reasoned explanation designed to defuse (NJI*) what could be a tense situation?

Anyway, whenever everyone starts saying Person X should go to jail it always makes me a bit nervous. With the state of our prisons, isn't that like saying Person X should get sexually assaulted?

* NJI: No Joke Intended
posted by JHarris at 11:04 AM on November 30, 2007


He is trying, but he isn't very good. One can create more thought with less collateral damage.

Example : Place various *obviously* harmless objects around town, like say a toilet bowl, a cinder block, a role of toilet paper, a sombrero, a old shoe, a pile of pennies, and maybe a cardboard cutout of Osama bin Laden. Then call the mayor's office and read off the list of objects explaining that each is exactly what it is. You should mention that they are not bombs specifying that you only felt you needed to clarify that.

No doubt these idiots will still freak out. But the jury may take your side if you never actually try to make them think anything is a bomb, aside from using the word.

Otoh, if your just prank calling city hall, and will remain hidden, just claim that the mayor's new sports car is being used to smuggle cocaine in the upholstery or engine.. obviously neglecting to mention that it's the mayor's sports car. :)
posted by jeffburdges at 11:07 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


The concept was ok, the phone call was ok, but the semi-real looking "bomb" was dumb.

Looks like a "bomb" to me -- photo.*

Asshole!
posted by ericb at 11:09 AM on November 30, 2007


But do you reasonably expect the police to return to their tea and scones after someone calls to tell them there is NO BOMB somewhere? THat's insane, they have to check it out because some dickhead called and said "bomb".

Do you think they get a couple million calls a day from people alerting them that they are not being murdered, not being raped, not being set on fire, tied to a chair and pushed down a parking ramp, not having their noses stapled to billboards, etc?
posted by Mister_A at 11:12 AM on November 30, 2007


Boston-area police went on burnt-umber alert when it was discovered that there were also no bombs outside the Gardner, Fogg, or MFA museums, and that artists were seen in the area.

In a tragic related episode, agitated BPD officers tased the Leif Ericson statue in the Back Bay when he allegedly refused to assume 'the position' as ordered. The officers ignored bystanders who called out that Ericson spoke no English and was, in fact, long dead.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 11:13 AM on November 30, 2007 [1 favorite]


No one was tased, the guy is out on bail, and he probably won't serve five years or even a single day in jail. The ROM and environs were cleared, although it seems as if some places were missed. I don't see any freakout from the ROM, police and other emergency responders, CANFAR or the courts. (The media, especially talk radio, is freaking out, but hey -- have you heard that water is wet?)

He did something really, really stupid. The ROM and the responders were probably pretty damn sure that is was some sort of stunt, even as they were responding to it, but they couldn't be absolutely sure. They did the right thing. This is not Boston all over again.
posted by maudlin at 11:23 AM on November 30, 2007


From The Torontoist:

Yesterday at about 4 p.m., Jonsson walked into the ROM with the fake bomb inside a bag. Attached to the bomb was a note that read "This is not a bomb." Jonsson thought that the note meant he wasn't breaking the law: he had been advised by an OCAD Student Union lawyer before installing the piece, he says, against spreading false news, and told that he should not attempt to deceive people about the bomb's legitimacy. (That's why, for instance, one of the descriptions for the videos he later uploaded read: "Fake footage of the fake bombing at the Royal Ontario Museum capturing the fake moment of impact.") Though Jonsson intended to leave the pipe bomb outside of the bag out in the open in a "noticeable spot," "almost like a presentation," he says there were "too many people around," and he decided to keep the sculpture inside the bag, placing it on the right-hand side of the ROM's Bloor Street entrance with the declarative note visible on top.

"I went a bit down the street, as soon as I came out of the gathering," he told us, "and I dialed up the ROM and they asked for an extension and I hadn't really thought that far, so I typed in some random last name and I ended up reaching some girl at some office at the ROM and I simply told her: 'Listen there's no bomb by the entrance to the museum,' and then I hung up."

Jonsson went straight from the ROM back to school for 5 p.m. to give his presentation of his final piece, where he "revealed the extent of the project." People in his class, he says "were really impressed with the extent I went to." Worried that there was a possibility of legal action, he hadn't told his professors about the piece until the night it was installed.


Dumbass. Some office worker, not an experienced cop, got the warning. She was probably scared shitless. She may even have questioned whether she had heard "there's no bomb" or "there's a bomb". And this guy didn't even forewarn his profs about the project because he thought it may have been illegal -- I guess the lawyer's assurances still left him with some doubt -- but he went ahead and did it anyway.
posted by maudlin at 11:30 AM on November 30, 2007


I think you've hit the nail on the head, maudlin.

I wouldn't mind it if this kid did some time, 5 years seems like too much, but to me, this is the kind of thing that jail was made for.
posted by Mister_A at 11:31 AM on November 30, 2007


"There is not a bomb by the entrance of the museum" is Magritte, ("Ceci n'est pas une pipe") not Duchamp, dumbass student.
posted by R. Mutt at 11:33 AM on November 30, 2007


As bad as the OCAD building is (and stupid too - look at the shadow it casts! As if anywhere in Toronto could afford to loose what precious little warmth and sunlight we get),

but the ROM addition is far, far more offensive. The main buildinng is/was a beautiful and balanced structure, and as nice on the inside as it was on the outside. The addition is a horrific encrustation. It's not even colourful like OCAD (which does sound like hell to work in).
posted by jb at 11:34 AM on November 30, 2007


Yeah, I was disappointed in the crystal, too. I expected the shining glory we ROM members were assured was coming, not the industrial shard we actually got. All that's missing is the duct tape.
posted by maudlin at 11:37 AM on November 30, 2007


I'm going to use his tactic the next time I fly somewhere, just to make sure I don't get into trouble.

Yes, I packed my bag myself, and by the way, I did not pack a bomb in it.
posted by Bort at 11:47 AM on November 30, 2007


Hey how about that, a fake bomb has real consequences. I place this student firmly in the camp of anti-situationism: "All that was once mere representation has become directly lived."
posted by Benjamin Nushmutt at 12:11 PM on November 30, 2007


> The addition is a horrific encrustation.

I call it The Tumour.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:13 PM on November 30, 2007


I am continually not surprised to discover that many MeFites I like are from Toronto.
posted by Mister_A at 12:35 PM on November 30, 2007


Personally I think this is 100% valid as conceptual/performance art... I did a pretty similar art piece at York University over a decade ago...

http://www.zentastic.com/entries/200501261814.html
(second half of that entry)
posted by glider at 12:48 PM on November 30, 2007


A NSFW warning on that link would have been nice
posted by rocket88 at 12:59 PM on November 30, 2007


glider:

1. You were in a performance art class, so people expected performance.
2. You potentially faced criminal charges.
3. I would have kicked the living shit out of you.
posted by Mister_A at 1:05 PM on November 30, 2007


It can be "art" and simultaneously "dumb as fuck", you can put the "exhibition record" in your C.V., and you can design your next "performance piece" while you're sitting in the clink. Artists sometimes have to suffer for their art; it's a fucking shame he made others suffer without their consent.
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:30 PM on November 30, 2007


Right you are, seanmpuckett. Can I offer you some pie?
posted by Mister_A at 1:39 PM on November 30, 2007


It's pretty sad that people think such an obvious hoax deserves significant jail time.

It's as though nearly everybody has decided that incarceration is the answer to all problems, when any reasonable analysis shows it's not very useful at all.

I mean, if American-style incarceration was a really good way to lower crime, America would have extremely low crime.

Oh well. Fuck logic and reason, lock 'em all up.
posted by Tacos Are Pretty Great at 1:39 PM on November 30, 2007 [2 favorites]


I wish I could say I was positively flabbergasted that this was done by an Icelander.

But no...
posted by Kattullus at 1:53 PM on November 30, 2007


Is it inappropriate, TAPG, to discourage this kind of potentially dangerous hoax? How do you propose to deal with this kid?

Also, luckily for the student in question, we're talking Canadian-style incarceration. No extraordinary rendition and water-boarding. I think it's pretty sad that people have no concept that THIS ASSHOLE'S RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION ENDS AT THE TIP OF MY NOSE. He is not allowed to do damaging and disruptive shit like this, and it ought to be discouraged.
posted by Mister_A at 2:07 PM on November 30, 2007


Tacos Are Pretty Great writes "It's pretty sad that people think such an obvious hoax deserves significant jail time."

How do you know it was an obvious hoax. Reports seem to agree that it looked like a pipe bomb.
posted by mr_roboto at 2:25 PM on November 30, 2007


I pointed out one of the "coloured pencils" to the engineer walking with me.

ARGH! Until now I've been able to think of them as "colourful support structures". Now I have to hate that building..
posted by Chuckles at 2:29 PM on November 30, 2007


Reports seem to agree that it looked like a pipe bomb.

ericb linked a photo. Pretty much looks like it could work, I think..
Can anybody say img tag :)
posted by Chuckles at 2:36 PM on November 30, 2007


But panic they did, and the people who want him thrown in jail are no better than the people who think that teacher who named the teddy bear Mohammed deserves to be executed.

Horseshit. I'd agree with you if we wanted you thrown in jail with him for thinking the thing was harmless.

He called the police and said there was not a bomb, and they freaked out.

Actually, no he didn't. He called some random person at the ROM.

And if someone called you at your work and said "There isn't a bomb on your premises" and hung up and you didn't call the police than you're dumber than Jonsson. I also suspect that had there been a bomb and the same phone call made to the ROM and the receiver didn't "panic" and the thing blew up you'd be on here saying it was their fault.

This kid wasted hundreds if not thousands of manhours of work for people in Toronto--the AIDS workers who organized the annual event, the cops, the people inconvenienced by the closing off of part of the city.... he deserves jail time and permanent expulsion from OCAD at the very least. No doubt he'll get a slap on the wrist and won't even be excommunicated by his friends. Pathetic.
posted by dobbs at 2:43 PM on November 30, 2007


And for those who didn't read the article, the cancellation of the AIDS event cost the charity a third of their annual revenue, not including the time/money spent organizing it. Disgusting.
posted by dobbs at 2:46 PM on November 30, 2007


And "artists" wonder why people don't get behind them when they ask for more public funding.
oh, come ON. should we also not fund hospitals because once there was a doctor who stole a baby?
posted by twistofrhyme at 4:01 PM on November 30, 2007


>I pointed out one of the "coloured pencils" to the engineer walking with me.

ARGH! Until now I've been able to think of them as "colourful support structures". Now I have to hate that building..


maudlin: explaining things to engineers since the 20th century
posted by maudlin at 4:01 PM on November 30, 2007


OJ's next book:
"Yes I Did It. It was Art."
posted by Sully at 4:25 PM on November 30, 2007


I hate pointless shit like this: you may call it art, but it's not. Or at least, it isn't good art. It's creating an environment of fear based on people's reactions to something which appears to be worthy of caution: a pipe bomb.

Kind of like releasing an angry tiger on the street with a sign next to it which reads 'people friendly', yeah, like I'm going to get close enough to find out...

You want to make a statement about fear, using art? Similar to jeffburdges' idea above; label lots of non-bombs in your town.

Kids wagon: This is not a bomb
Bicycle: This is not a bomb
Town statue: This is not a bomb

Take something obvious and peaceful and have someone temporarily look at it in a new light = art.

Scaring people with something scary = bad art.
posted by quin at 4:42 PM on November 30, 2007


Mister_A: Is it inappropriate, TAPG, to discourage this kind of potentially dangerous hoax? How do you propose to deal with this kid?

Why, yell at the kid! Make it clear to him that this is Not Cool. Let it be known he's expelled if he tries something like this again. He's obviously scared to death as it is. Locking him up is not called for -- it seems obvious to me you're looking less to discourage behavior and more to smack him around a bit.

I get the feeling you would have thrown Orson Welles in prison too.
posted by JHarris at 5:31 PM on November 30, 2007


(Oh, and sorry for replying for you TAPG.)
posted by JHarris at 5:33 PM on November 30, 2007


I'm not touching you.
Quit it!
I'm not touching you.
Quit it!
I'm not touching you.

WILL YOU BOTH BE QUIET!

I grew out of that before I went to college, but maybe I'm smarter than most college students.
posted by Green With You at 7:01 PM on November 30, 2007


This kid is a fucking asshole and this is not art.

/obviously
posted by autodidact at 7:06 PM on November 30, 2007


Stillepost (local music forum) thread on this.
posted by stinkycheese at 7:06 PM on November 30, 2007


And for those who didn't read the article, the cancellation of the AIDS event cost the charity a third of their annual revenue, not including the time/money spent organizing it. Disgusting.
posted by dobbs 5 ¾ hours ago [+]


Hence my prison comment. Want to stay out of prison, pay up motherfucker, double.
posted by caddis at 8:32 PM on November 30, 2007


My bad.
posted by tehloki at 6:06 AM on December 1, 2007


No roti for you!
posted by maudlin at 8:58 AM on December 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


How do you propose to deal with this kid?

I don't agree that he should go to jail - it's a waste of resources and would probably just ruin his life. I say slap him with 1000 hours of community service. He cost our society some resources, so let him contribute his own time in reparation. And he should probably be expelled from OCAD, but then my guess is he either already is or will be very soon.
posted by orange swan at 6:22 AM on December 3, 2007 [1 favorite]


I suppose the fact that the stunt hasn't provoked any substantive discussion (at least not that I've read) of what constitutes 'art' should serve as evidence that, at the least, it's not very "good" art.
posted by lodurr at 7:16 AM on December 3, 2007


Is it inappropriate, TAPG, to discourage this kind of potentially dangerous hoax? How do you propose to deal with this kid?

There are plenty of ways to discourage this kind of behaviour that are less costly to both the individual an to the whole society than incarceration.

It is almost amazing how well you proved my point that many short-sighted, narrow-minded fools have come to believe that incarceration is the only possible solution to all problems, when any reasonable analysis shows that there are better, cheaper, more effective alternatives.
posted by Tacos Are Pretty Great at 7:26 PM on December 3, 2007


Oh, and orange swan's suggestion for a punishment is far more useful.

A year or two of community service would be an excellent way to discourage the behaviour without ruining the fellows life. And as an added benefit, it actually helps society instead of costing us money and creating an unfixable outcast.
posted by Tacos Are Pretty Great at 7:28 PM on December 3, 2007


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