Artist Tom Otterness Photo: Gawker.com
Animal Lover Advisory: Explicit Content Herein
Gawker dropped a bomb on legions of animal lovers in San Francisco earlier this month: New York based artist Tom Otterness, who was contracted by the city to create a series of statues for a local subway station, is known to have shot a dog ‘in the name of art’ back in 1977.
Otterness publicly apologized for his gross act of animal cruelty (documented on film, no less) in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 2008 saying, “Thirty years ago when I was 25 years old, I made a film in which I shot a dog. It was an indefensible act that I am deeply sorry for. Many of us have experienced profound emotional turmoil and despair. Few have made the mistake I made. I hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me.” The question is, can San Franciscans forgive this man? Then give him public funds for a large commission?
"The Herring Eater" by Tom Otterness at Dutch museum Beelden aan Zee Photo: Wikipedia
The artist’s deceptively whimsical bronze sculptures depicting politically-spiked characters have found homes in New York, Los Angeles, Portland, Sacramento and Minneapolis. Hardly the most judgmental cities in the US, but still – supporting a dog killer?
For now, the San Francisco project is on hold pending an investigation of the artist. It’s a tough call: everybody deserves a little forgiveness, and Otterness’ work is both culturally relevant and distinctive. Still, we’re more-or-less a nation of dog lovers here in the US, and we don’t take kindly to anyone – artist or otherwise – mistreating our toothy, tail wagging, four-legged friends.
Art by Tom Otterness Photo: zine.Artcat.com
The good news is that it shouldn’t be too hard for the City of San Francisco to find another talented and worthy artist in need of $750,000.
What’s your opinion? Voice it below in our comments section.
If it were a matter of forgiveness between a small, personal, group and everyone agreed…yes, forgiveness is possible and viable. Not in this situation though. Otterman’s work would be a stigma on the City of San Francisco. To force something so objectionable on the public is unforgivable. It’s not a tough call for me…
The man has apologized and is sincere. Let him who is without sin cast stones. (Sinless people abound, evidently.)
it was thirty-some years ago and Otterness has sincerely aked to be forgiven. Let it be…his sculptures provide the public with thought provoking interactions around the world and San Francisco politics needn’t play into it.
sorry dude. I hope you lose your contract. We were all young once and did things we regret, but this is sick.
I agree with Greg and K. We were all young and stupid, once. If none of us can ever qualify for a contract because we once did something stupid, none of us will ever work again. It would ne different if he were unrepentent and unapologetic. It would be worse still if the shooting had not been an isolated incident, but a pattern of behavior. But it was isolated, as far as we know, and he is repentant. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing, y’all.