Artist’s Same-Sex Disney Kisses Paintings Spur Polite Protest, Calm Controversy

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Aug 2, 2012 in Art + Culture | 13 comments

Sian Jones and the works in question.

Not everyone is a fan of artist Sian Jones’ paintings depicting animated Disney stars in same-sex smooches. And you know what? That’s OK.

Because at the Guernsey Arts Commission, when someone disagrees with te subject matter of a piece of art, they simply say so instead of condemning one another to hell or rushing out to load up on fried chicken sandwiches.

A local schoolteacher reportedly wrote on a Facebook page for the event: “While I’m neither a prude nor anti-gay I was a little put off. I don’t think a family event is the place to display this work. It is a little difficult to explain to toddlers why Ariel and Jasmine & Aladdin and Eric are kissing.”

One commenter on the ‘Proud Parenting’ Blog asked: “Is the event for adults only or children as well? Because I think the children will be confused about why Pocahontas and Ariel are cheating on their men. Aren’t you only supposed to kiss the person you’re with? I don’t think kids understand the concept of polygamous relationships.”

Jones is unfazed by the well-mannered naysayers, telling reporters, “I remember learning at university that art should be about making people question their views and react, so in those terms it was a success.”

Mission accomplished!

What do you think of the controversial pieces of art? Will children be somehow traumatized by the idea of Ariel and Jasmine sharing a kiss? Is an Aladdin-Prince Eric makeout session the stuff of nightmares?

(via Pink News)

http://profile.yahoo.com/LALXPEIV67K4G2LXNXJFMQM734 Aurastar

I like them! It isn’t hard to tell kids, “this is the artist’s idea of these characters” either.
http://twitter.com/experience_zac Zac

Remember that story a couple of years ago about the kid who wanted to be Daphne for Halloween, and none of his classmates had any issue with it, but a few of the moms did? I think it’s safe to assume that this would be just like that.
http://www.facebook.com/katie.mccurdy2 Katie McCurdy

My nephew who is 5 wouldn’t care… He has been raised knowing his two Aunties love him and knows no differently. It’s the parents with the closed minds that freak out! Learn from your children.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=561445255 Sarah Al-Kassab

I like that the local schoolteacher doesn’t even know who the characters are? in Denial about Princess Jasmine!
http://www.facebook.com/jenna.waters.73 Jenna Waters

If a kid has an issue with it, its not that hard to say,”well you kiss mommy and daddy, it just means that Jasmine loves Ariel. And Eric loves Aladdin.” True, these are a bit more ‘relationship’ kisses, but love is love. And you kiss people you love.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=27711233 Darin Dacey

As soon as anybody says, “I don’t think kids understand…” I would interject and say, “I KNOW you don’t understand.”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000417076103 Sean Clothier

Kids might be confused at first, but all it takes is a little explaining. Apparently thats too difficult for some lazy parents. Some are just too ignorant on sexuality to even have children!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ravyn-Skye/1512522628 Ravyn Skye

I’d tell my son they were kissing like siblings if he even noticed anything, which I doubt. And the only reason I would tell him it was sibling-like love would be if the polyamorous aspect were in question. If the characters are not in relationships in the movie (Like the one with Ursula and the Evil Queen in Snow white) I’d just tell him they were lesbians or gay. Since when is homosexuality any more traumatizing than heterosexuality? I don’t want my son to grow up to be hetero-normative and think being gay is any different than being straight… IT’S NOT A BIG DEAL UNTIL WE MAKE IT A BIG DEAL.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Robyn-Venessa-Mazy/1303224949 Robyn Venessa Mazy

the only question i can see happening “but i though ‘she’ was married to ‘him’ your not supposed to kiss other people when your married’”
http://www.facebook.com/people/Grey-Diamond/1547664306 Grey Diamond

What people think kids feel like when they see same sex smooch : Omg what is happening, how come there is two daddy kissing, I need my mommy MOMMY WHERE ARE YOU is this dream or reality? HELP MEEEE.

What really happen in their mind: Two guy kissing ? Meh thats cool.
harrisnathan

The only trauma they will have is the trauma caused by their parents’ harsh reaction to same gender affection. If adults wouldn’t put such an emphasis on same-sex attraction and instead would treat it with the normalcy that it is, you wouldn’t see children growing up to be hateful and intolerant.
http://www.facebook.com/Omikronescence Rehyan Abdiel Correa

Well…I understand from the point of view that they’re supposed to be living happily ever after with their heterosexual partnes…so they are kinda cheating on their spouses over there and that might be hard to explain to a kid…so…yeah. Also, they’re kind of crappy.
http://twitter.com/Dani_Cat_P SourPunchStraws

I don’t think a kid would care, UNLESS he or she has been raised in a homophobic, the Bible knows all environment.

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