Bringing Art (And Asses) to the Masses

This blog has a reputation -- undeserved, I think -- for wallowing in low culture. Well, today I bring things up a notch by adding some classy art.

Brazilian Police Exercise Some Degree of Competence

Brazil is not known for its high-tech security systems or competent police force, but everyone deserves a lucky break once in a while. The BBC reports that two precious pieces of art work, including a Picasso, have been recovered by Brazilian authorities.

What excellent police work lead to the discovery? The paintings were found leaning up against in building in Sao Paulo. Two suspects have been brought in for questioning who allegedly used only a crowbar and a hydraulic carjack to break into the museum.

When a Government’s Incompetence Turns Into Art

An urban landscape ubiquitous with potholes is nothing new. The most disparaging aspect of this is that a government should at least be able to provide a suitable infrastructure to conduct everyday commercial activities. Potholes have never inspired any creative aspirations of my own and usually just conjure up thoughts of the type of person who must be in charge of public works. Often it is of a sordid, unresponsive, individual with stacks of papers on his desk, letting all complaints go to voicemail, and a love of Rob Schneider films. According to the International Herald Tribune, in Uganda these potholes are becoming works of art. Artist paint abstract works on plaster casts of potholes using them as a vehicle to protest the ineffectiveness of the Kampala Government. But understand how big some of these potholes are: [emphasis mine]

Edison Mulago’s pothole is vividly colored with red, yellow and black. Figures in boats grace the jagged surface. "In some of the slum areas, the potholes are so big people are using boats to get across them," he said. But a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Works and Transport, Susan Kataije, said the exhibition was in "very poor taste."

"Painting by Worst Artist Ever Sells for $71 Million"...

is what this article should have been titled.