dead kennedys' giger poster

One of the most famous issues concerning album art was with the Dead Kennedy’s album, Frankenchrist in 1986. It included a work of art by Swiss artist H.R. Giger (most famous for designing the alien in the movie Alien) called Landscape 20:Where Are We Coming From? It depicted interlocked sexual organs, and authorities were concerned that it was distributing harmful materials (pornography) to minors. Police raided lead singer Jello Biafra’s apartment without warrant, taking copies of the album and some of his personal, important papers which were never returned. Biafra was brought to court over the inclusion of this poster. The trial eventually broke up his band after the release of Bedtime for Democracy and he was unable to record for years. He was acquitted of charges a year later in 1987.

h'ok, so my point is do you think this is considered pornography or art? what are your views on this issue and how do you think it could have been handled differently?

to see the image for yourself, go to google images and type in "frankenchrist" youll find it somewhere

WARNING : The inside fold out to this record cover is a work of art by H.R. Giger that some people may find shocking, repulsive or offensive. Life can sometimes be that way.

EDIT:link removed....censorship is obscene😛

Sheesh... All thoes famour artist who draw nudes where enver arrested...

And why should they get arressted? Its a work of art!

because some narrow minded people don't see it as art

Furious Angel that is a well done research you've done there. Let me just add that the original piece was called: “Penis Landscapes No.XX: Where are we coming from?” If memory serves me right the Los Angeles police dept. in cooperation with the San Francisco police force did not had the proper warrant for the search. Yet during the trial that was never brought out.....Weird.

The entire controversy can be traced back to the PMRC. But for the purpose of the discussion....Yes! Your thread describing those ppl is an excellent example of how "Censorship" is a terrible mistake! Now, I do agree that certain cases are different. But when it comes to art and music censorship and its supporters need to be educated on the subject of art. I'll do more research on the topic. Great job!

🙂

Im gonna have to appologise to you guys, but that work of Gigers is too explicit for me to allow it on here. Im so sorry guys, I hope you can understand.

Is perfectly clear and understandble Milla. 🙂

Hooray for them! I knew that giger guy should have been restricted for his so-called art! Im glad im not the only one who considers those things as offensive. if it wasnt for the pmrc there would be lunatics outthere creating trash art!

Originally posted by WindDancer
Furious Angel that is a well done research you've done there. Let me just add that the original piece was called: “Penis Landscapes No.XX: Where are we coming from?” If memory serves me right the Los Angeles police dept. in cooperation with the San Francisco police force did not had the proper warrant for the search. Yet during the trial that was never brought out.....Weird.

The entire controversy can be traced back to the PMRC. But for the purpose of the discussion....Yes! Your thread describing those ppl is an excellent example of how "Censorship" is a terrible mistake! Now, I do agree that certain cases are different. But when it comes to art and music censorship and its supporters need to be educated on the subject of art. I'll do more research on the topic. Great job!

🙂

thanks!😮😊

my dearest xena fan>"I began to realize, 'My god, we have met the enemy and it is us, this is what we do to each other every day in consumer-oriented society. Wait a minute, this is what we're talking about on a lot of the Frankenchrist songs.' I thought the Giger painting would be a great way to drive home the point, even if some people in high positions of power with no sense of humor didn't seem to understand."
-Jello Biafra

basically i think that quote speaks for itself...

Originally posted by Xena
if it wasnt for the pmrc there would be lunatics outthere creating trash art!

NO art is trash.