Sunday, July 5, 2009

Could I have that recipe please?


The latest Salvo in the Shepard Fairey Obama Hope Icon Wars, spotted on TechCrunch:

Start Mobile is having a problem with Apple. In a new app, Apple doesn’t like the way one piece of art depicts President Obama. Is it out of line or tasteless? I don't think so. It’s Shepard Fairey’s famous “HOPE” image.

Here’s the wording in the rejection:

Thank you for submitting Start Mobile Wallpaper Gallery to the App Store. We’ve reviewed Start Mobile Wallpaper Gallery and determined that we cannot post this version of your iPhone application to the App Store because it contains content that ridicules public figures and is in violation of Section 3.3.12 from the iPhone SDK Agreement which states:

“Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple’s reasonable judgment may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users.”

The artwork in question is now hanging in the National Portrait Gallery. As well, Fairey’s works are in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

I wish I had the recipe for Fairey's ability to stir up controversy.

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