La Disputa

The Louvre put on a comic book exhibit, calling it Small Design: The Louvre invites Comics.  French comic book artists/auteurs are invited to give a performance about their work of art and three (Nicolas de Crecy, Marc-Antoine Mathieu, and Eric Liberge’s) have already had their turn.  The museum is claiming its attempt to break down stereotypes not only in comic books, but also in a museum such as the Louvre.  It is a very good claim indeed.

Yet another tiny artist vs. Corporation Extreme case.  This time it’s Starbucks filling in for the pompous victim role.  Kieron Dwyer drew a comic book using the corporate logo of Sbux as a basis for his parody concerning consumerism.  Starbucks noticed and served Dwyer with the motion 3 days before the case (using a bike messenger, no less)- leaving no time for Dwyer to get a lawyer or prepare his case.  Fortunately, before Dwyer published his book, he had asked a lawyer on the legal issues, and all was permitted.  Starbucks had expected a quick case, but Dwyer definitely is not taking it lying down.

So far, the results are interesing.  Dwyer cannot make money off his drawing as of now, however, the drawing is now treated as a political cartoon and is fully legal in the eyes of law.  Now we wait for the court date for the final results.

David Cerny managed to trick ALL of Europe into believing he’s 27 artists creating a serious work about the unification and glory of Europe.  And by “glory of Europe” he really meant the crappiness of Europe.  Well, he did succeed in uniting the continent in their dissatisfaction of the piece.  I guess they can blame the Czechs for hiring him.  I laughed, anyway.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/world/europe/15mosaic.html