As an example, I once saw an ArtXpress entry on eating meat. The pig was eating a human surrounded by mounted human heads in the room. Shocking? Yes. Did I get the message? I certainly remembered it even if I didn't convert to vegetarianism. Was it beautiful? No and I don't think I want it on my wall!
Who remembers the Bill Henson controversy over his use of nude pubescent models? And Damian Hirst with his dead animals? I think the question that Barbara Nadel's book raised was how far is too far? Bill skirted with child pornography and Damian with death; both taboo subjects. In the book the artist murders his children and had them embalmed and dressed like shadow puppets for a show. All in the name of art!
