Looney Tunes "Last Supper" Causing Some Catholics to Lash Out - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-07-2009, 01:31 AM

Even though it's the Last Supper, that's not all, folks.

A cartoon oil painting parody of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is hanging in the front of Chuck Jones Gallery in Old Town San Diego, and not everybody's happy to see it.

The Gathering puts Bugs Bunny in Jesus' place and switches Daffy Duck, Pepe Le Pew, Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig and other cartoon characters for disciples. Even the (reformed) Grinch is there. No, Pepe isn't on the other side of the table, which is where da Vinci placed Judas Iscariot.

Gallery officials acknowledge that the revised version is garnering mixed reviews. There have been some angry notes -- some signed "A concerned citizen," some unsigned -- and telephone calls demanding its removal.

Some Catholics told Fox 5 San Diego that the painting goes too far, while others give it thumbs up.

"It's very entertaining and colorful. Who doesn't like the Looney Tunes?" one gallery visitor asked.

"It's a religious thing. You don't make fun of religion like that," said another.

About 10 to 12 phone complaints a day have been received about the painting, said gallery workers. Dallas artist Glen Tarnowski is a devout Christian and isn't commenting on religion, they added.

The gallery added a biography of Tarnowski, explaining his intent and noting his background as an alumnus of California Lutheran University.

"We never intended to offend anyone," Mike Dicken, national sales director for the gallery, told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Most people think it's fun and amusing, but 5 percent are pulling their hair out."

Craig Kausen, grandson of late Warner Bros. cartoonist and artist Chuck Jones, is the CEO of the Irvine, California-based gallery chain. He said he talked to a local priest who wasn't bothered by the idea, although the clergyman hadn't seen the artwork.

"There is nothing irreverent about it whatsoever," Kausen said.

Tarnowski explained that there's nothing wrong with showing the likes of Porky and Daffy as disciples. God loves people so much that even if they were cartoon characters, He would have come to us, he said -- maybe as Bugs.

"Chuck Jones was the absolute master in using cartoon characters to communicate the issues we deal with in life," Tarnowski said. "We all resonate with these characters."

The painting's on sale in the window for $20,000. Two customers have shown interest in buying it, but it's too costly for the average citizen, said Dicken. Meanwhile, gallery employees are glad to let him take the phone calls.

http://www.bcdb.com/bcdb/page.cgi?p=News

TripperFan · 04-07-2009, 05:53 AM

Hey - I don't mind LePew, Porky, Daffy and the Gang....but what the hell's the Grinch doing in there?!?!?!

(and if so, shouldn't he be on the other side where Judas would be?)

MrCleveland · 04-10-2009, 04:39 PM

That's a strange pic.

I'm surprised that...(I'll go to another cartoon studio)...I didn't hear anyone object to Donald Duck being on Noah's Ark in "Fantasia/2000". That may have raised eyebrows as well as Bugs Bunny portrayed as Jesus in that pic!

catlover79 · 04-11-2009, 04:33 AM

I'm not Catholic (I'm Lutheran) and I think it's offensive and unnecessary.

Is nothing sacred??

tv star collector · 04-11-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Hey - I don't mind LePew, Porky, Daffy and the Gang....but what the hell's the Grinch doing in there?!?!?!

(and if so, shouldn't he be on the other side where Judas would be?)

Longtime WB animator Chuck Jones also produced the TV special "How the
Grinch Stole Christmas."

04-07-2009, 01:31 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Looney Tunes "Last Supper" Causing Some Catholics to Lash Out Even though it's the Last Supper, that's not all, folks. A cartoon oil painting parody of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is hanging in the front of Chuck Jones Gallery in Old Town San Diego, and not everybody's happy to see it. The Gathering puts Bugs Bunny in Jesus' place and switches Daffy Duck, Pepe Le Pew, Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig and other cartoon characters for disciples. Even the (reformed) Grinch is there. No, Pepe isn't on the other side of the table, which is where da Vinci placed Judas Iscariot. Gallery officials acknowledge that the revised version is garnering mixed reviews. There have been some angry notes -- some signed "A concerned citizen," some unsigned -- and telephone calls demanding its removal. Some Catholics told Fox 5 San Diego that the painting goes too far, while others give it thumbs up. "It's very entertaining and colorful. Who doesn't like the Looney Tunes?" one gallery visitor asked. "It's a religious thing. You don't make fun of religion like that," said another. About 10 to 12 phone complaints a day have been received about the painting, said gallery workers. Dallas artist Glen Tarnowski is a devout Christian and isn't commenting on religion, they added. The gallery added a biography of Tarnowski, explaining his intent and noting his background as an alumnus of California Lutheran University. "We never intended to offend anyone," Mike Dicken, national sales director for the gallery, told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Most people think it's fun and amusing, but 5 percent are pulling their hair out." Craig Kausen, grandson of late Warner Bros. cartoonist and artist Chuck Jones, is the CEO of the Irvine, California-based gallery chain. He said he talked to a local priest who wasn't bothered by the idea, although the clergyman hadn't seen the artwork. "There is nothing irreverent about it whatsoever," Kausen said. Tarnowski explained that there's nothing wrong with showing the likes of Porky and Daffy as disciples. God loves people so much that even if they were cartoon characters, He would have come to us, he said -- maybe as Bugs. "Chuck Jones was the absolute master in using cartoon characters to communicate the issues we deal with in life," Tarnowski said. "We all resonate with these characters." The painting's on sale in the window for $20,000. Two customers have shown interest in buying it, but it's too costly for the average citizen, said Dicken. Meanwhile, gallery employees are glad to let him take the phone calls. http://www.bcdb.com/bcdb/page.cgi?p=News Attached Images
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04-07-2009, 05:53 AM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Hey - I don't mind LePew, Porky, Daffy and the Gang....but what the hell's the Grinch doing in there?!?!?! (and if so, shouldn't he be on the other side where Judas would be?)
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

04-10-2009, 04:39 PM	#3
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,233	That's a strange pic. I'm surprised that...(I'll go to another cartoon studio)...I didn't hear anyone object to Donald Duck being on Noah's Ark in "Fantasia/2000". That may have raised eyebrows as well as Bugs Bunny portrayed as Jesus in that pic!
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04-11-2009, 04:33 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I'm not Catholic (I'm Lutheran) and I think it's offensive and unnecessary. Is nothing sacred??
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