Unveiling the Truth in NYC

Drew Zahn wrote an interesting article for the World Net Daily that can be found at: http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96138 . The article reviews Michael D'Antuono's painting, The Truth, explaining the artist's motivation for the work. The painting is sure to be controversial and prompt much discussion since it depicts Barack Obama in a Christ-like pose, crown of thorns placed jauntily on his spherical head, standing in front of what appears to be the presidential seal, or is it? Check out the painting and read Zahn's article where you can also click on to the artist's own email thetruth@dantuonoarts.com to let D'Antuono know what his work says to you.

Here's what I thought:

Mr. D'Antuono,

I really am taken by your work. As a practicing Roman Catholic I am not offended but rather enthralled. This work does speak the TRUTH for me. When Obama first hit the scene there was something about him that was mesmerizing in his almost spot on connection to JFK, his youth, elegant style yet common man approachability. I could not stop watching him. But as time went on I began to feel uneasy with his serial attempts at donning the aura of other great men gone before him. The Cesar Augustus Roman columns speech at the end of the DNC convention, the retracing of Lincoln's trip, the Lincoln bible, the references ad nauseum to FDR, even a Reagan attribute here and there. The Christ imagery however seems to be his most favorite impression to perform, far beyond all others. His turning of the other cheek to our enemies is right out of J.C.'s handbook however I dare say J.C. would have probably pissed Chavez and the Castro bro's off with some stinging yet gentle medicine more than placate but that is beside the point. Obama plays the role of "Prince of Peace" better than anyone has in my lifetime. The only part he's not played is himself. I honestly don't think he can. Obama the man has not been created yet. Will an individual emerge? I doubt it because individuality is not his mindset. He lives for cooperation bucking individuality in all terms. He can only exist as a combination of men, not as his own.

Your work, for me, displays a soul in search for greatness but as of date can only acquire the goal through employing the ghosts of others. The crown of thorns, minus the actual impaling, the pose of crucifixion without the pesky planks, nails or blood, all the trappings with none of the individual experience. I find it poetic (probably unintended) that Obama had the symbols of Christ covered during his speech at Georgetown. Did he not want to risk the viewing of the imitator juxtapositioned to the original? Consciously, I doubt it but coincidentally, rich in contemplation all the same. I can't help but make comparisons of Obama to the quintessential Peter Keating of the Fountainhead, a man with "tremendous vanity, which leads him to sacrifice all for the sake of a brilliant career. A mob man at heart, of the mob and for the mob" with his triumph being his ultimate disaster (let's actually hope not for Obama's sake and ours!).

When my eyes first hit your work my brain read "RESIDENT OF THE UN". I have no way of knowing if you planned this interpretation but that was my first flash of meaning. Is Obama closing the curtain or opening it? Both I believe. He wishes to close the curtain on the arrogant existence of the United States and open the curtain to a WORLD of cooperation (with some love just for him thrown in through the process).

Of course, cooperation signals on many levels the end of individuality, true creativity. No great advancement in art or science came about through consensus. Original thoughts are the product of the individual mind not a watered down, least common denominator cooperative effort. However, I digress, your work is powerful and important. The image and symbolism prompts endless analysis and contemplation. I LOVE IT! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent.