REACTIONS

We wish you all the best with finding your brother 

Ann en Bertrand, London

I think I have seen him in Tibet, but i'm not shure. 
Pablo de Grosso, Madrid

Dear brother and sister, I'm sorry, I have not seen your brother. Hope you find him, what a sad story.
Jannus, Groningen

I've been told he's hidden in a Schwitters like sculpture somewhere in Dr8888

T.H, Drachten

Dear sister and brother,
So sad not finding your brother, is he maybe changed in a sister?
Wishing you luck in finding him/her.
Yvette
Amsterdam

I saw a brother but I don't know if it's yours.
C. Rocs, The Netherlands 

Does your brother smoke? If so, I might have seen him here in the park,
talking to a couple of coots. Please do call.

Juul7

 

Dear Sister and Brother

You pose the question to the public, (in the FAQ and downloads) in reference to The Donated Photos of Yumi and the Eric Alterson case, whether the artist’s work can be separated from his personal actions. I strongly disagree. When someone has been convicted of serious sexual misconduct, it is deeply problematic to separate their art from their deeds.

Minimizing the artist’s responsibility is not only wrong, it is profoundly disrespectful to the victims and their loved ones. The artist has completely ruined his own standing and bears full responsibility for his actions. Ignoring this context disregards the harm caused and undermines the seriousness of his conviction.

I understand that you need financial resources to continue the search for your brother, but it is crucial to maintain clear ethical boundaries. Art cannot be divorced from accountability, and perpetrators of serious abuse must not be excused by their creative output.

Please take these considerations seriously and recognize the impact of your words on the victims and their families.

 

Sincerely,


John C. Berger

 

Dear Brother and Sister, in response to John C. Berger.

I fully understand the seriousness of the situation and the respect owed to the victims.

I do not agree that the actions of an artist can never be separated from their work.
To name a few examples: Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Michael Jackson were all artists whose behavior was sometimes highly reprehensible or egocentric, yet their work has lasting value. If we only valued art when the artist is flawless, much of cultural history would be lost.

It is possible to remain critical of the person while still acknowledging the significance of their work. Ethics and aesthetics can coexist in discussion.

Sincerely,


Isabel Groundsome

 

 

In response to Isabel Groundsome


Sorry, but I think Picasso is a rather “poor” example. In his work, it is clear to see what a nasty person he was. Take, for instance, the painting The Weeping Woman: ( a portrait of Dora Maar), an artist in her own right, was abused by Picasso, and in this painting he reduced her to the stereotype of the hysterical woman, distorting and diminishing both her personality and her work as an artist.

 

Best, 

 

Amanda Jane Davenport

 

What a woke fuss. Honestly, art is useless anyway. Get a life!

John

Dear brother and sister.
Judging by John’s response, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Pulling out the anti-woke card right away shuts down any chance of a respectful, meaningful discussion.

Besides that, in my opinion it is important that we remain honest about the background of the creator. Context plaques next to paintings, sculptures, or exhibitions can serve an educational purpose: they allow the public not only to admire the work, but also to increase awareness of who the artist was and which controversies or misdeeds were associated with them.
This creates a more complete and honest understanding of both the art and the artist.

 

Arthur Bernard, Paris


 

 

Dear sister and brother
Art does not exist in a vacuum. Every choice an artist makes—form, color, subject—reflects beliefs, context, and values. Art shapes how we see and interpret the world, and it can challenge power, representation, and ethics. The artist and the work are inseparably connected.

 

Asha Verbruggen

 

 

I saw an Okapi, I think the same one as in the film, perhaps your brother is nearby it?

Sven

Dear Readers. Perhaps it is important to realize that the ongoing debate about whether art can be separated from the artist often comes from a specific social and cultural position – in many cases, it is dominated by voices from privileged, predominantly white male circles. These discussions sometimes fail to center the experiences of victims or marginalized communities, instead focusing on abstract ideas of “art” or “creative genius. 

 

Sakura van der Bildt 

 

 

Art, like sports, should not be political. It should primarily focus on creativity, expression, and personal interpretation, without being restricted or influenced by political agendas. Just as sports are often seen as a way to showcase human performance and emotions universally, art should be able to evolve without obligations to political or social issues. It should be a space for free expression, where idxeas and emotions take center stage, free from social or political influence.

 

Jan van der Gijp

In reply to Jan van der Gijp
It's naive to think that sports are separate from politics. Sports are inevitably political, especially when it comes to choosing host countries for major events. The idea that sports "shouldn't be political" is often used to hide uncomfortable issues, like poor working conditions in countries like Qatar. In reality, sports are always linked to political power and economic interests. And then there's for example that idiotic award given to the dangerous orange clown by FIFA, which shows how political sports can be and how sports are often used to serve political interests.

 

Sofia Brendson-Kane

It's easy to mock the award Trump received, but don't forget that he has already accomplished more for the USA than Sleepy Joe during his time. Take some time to look deeper into what is actually happening, rather than just parroting all the fake news.

John

In reaction to John
Nonsense, it is very hard to deny that Trump is undermining the democratic values of the U.S. He is abusing his power, enriching himself, and degrading political norms with his sexist comments and bully-like behavior. His attempts to dispute election results and his authoritarian tendencies raise serious concerns. The hate-filled rhetoric he spreads, along with his admiration for authoritarian leaders, contribute to a fascist atmosphere. His influence remains an ongoing threat to democracy.


Angela Johnson Smith