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Doh! Simpsons artist causes a world-wide protest
4:23pm Thursday 19th July 2007
Comments (24)
AN East Lancashire artist has spoken of how he sent shock waves around the Pagan world - with a stunt planned in his bedroom!
Peter Stewart's painted image of cartoon dad Homer Simpson alongside the famous Cerne Giant - a 180ft ancient chalk outline of a naked giant thought to be a symbol of spirituality - in Dorset has prompted a call for inter-national Pagans to pray for rain to wash it off.
The 36-year-old, of Settle Road, Bolton-by-Bowland, was paid £15,000 for the publicity stunt by 20th Century Fox to promote the new Simpsons movie, which opens in the UK on July 27.
And he said Pagans should stop complaining about the 70m by 50m image and appreciate it as a bit of fun.
Peter set up his Creative Marketing business specialising in painted adverts, a year ago, and runs it from his bedroom and offices at his home.
He painted the image on the hillside at Cerne Abbas with water-based chalk paint over two days after being contacted by a London advertising agency.
Peter, 36, said he knew straight away that the stunt would send shock waves - and laughs - around the world, but that he was not concerned by protests.
He said: "It has done what it was designed to do, and got everyone talking about Homer Simpson. It's funny and it's a good stunt.
"Some people in the Pagan community have kicked off' about it, but only a few of them. I spoke to a Pagan guy when I was down there doing it and he wasn't bothered at all. We had all the right permissions from the council and the National Trust and we scoured the land to make sure we weren't affecting a rare flower that grows on the site.
"The paint is the same sort of thing used for marking out football pitches but mixed to last a little bit longer. It will wash off in the rain eventually."
But Ann Bryn-Evans, joint Wessex district manager for The Pagan Federation,said: "It's very disrespectful and not at all aesthetically pleasing.
"It's been raining buckets but the thing's still there.
"It's an eyesore and it simply cheapens the whole area.
"I'm amazed they got permission to do something so ridiculous."
Most of Mr Stewart's work comes from pitch lining and advertising at sporting events.
He said: "I'm planning a lot more big stunts now. I'm looking at getting some premises on Lomeshaye Industrial Estate because I'm originally from Nelson and I want to get back to Pendle."
Your Say YourLancashire Telegraph
Lancs Lass, says...
5:03pm Thu 19 Jul 07
lala, says...
5:45pm Thu 19 Jul 07
mickeyplum with a gas tight bum, says...
5:54pm Thu 19 Jul 07
andy, Spain says...
6:01pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Jack Harkness, Torchwood Hub says...
6:11pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Let's not go making wars, starting Jihads, anything else over it - it was a little bit of fun.
But I DO think calling for 'religious extremism' over this is a little OTT!
But also irresponsible. Given the current climate around the world currently.
And before anyone has a go at what 'my beliefs' are I share a common belief - that we should all get along. Or fall before the wayside as a footnote in history.
So, why not see it for what it is - a 'tongue in cheek' bit of fun?
Please don't go advocating we take up arms on a brash moment of madness.
The irony of all this is very nearly sublime.
Oh, by the way Christianity gets mocked daily - by the removal of Bibles from hospital wards, Christmas Cards with no reference to Christ or any Christian ... shall I go on?
Removal of such imagery only provokes resentment not, as is claimed, 'helps it'.
As I said, I don't agree/nor disagree with this stunt - but I can begin to see the 'funny side' of it and appreciate it for that one thing. :D
Jack Harkness, Torchwood Hub says...
6:14pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Jack Harkness, Torchwood Hub says...
6:20pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Anyway ...who is to say that if it was left there, in hundreds of years, no one would be claiming it, too, was a 'pagan' depiction ne a sacred site?
If I went out and drew some random lines with a permanent kind of chalk on a hillside, which meant nothing yet in the future someone found it, then claimed it was 'an historical find' etc ... trying to justify it's existence.
Now, if they'd put The Teletubbies up there I might be offended ... but I might also fall around the floor laughing at it, too. :D
Jack Nickolson, Hollywood Ca says...
6:53pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Jack Harkness, Torchwood Hub says...
7:11pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Mockney Luverly, Mockney says...
7:34pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Who'd a thought i' - 'Omer makin 'istory!
MIKE, Burnley says...
7:58pm Thu 19 Jul 07
the joke is quite good and well thought out, and when the simpson movie is finished at the flicks the picture will of washed away. i see the point of the pagens but there making a mountain out of a mole hill, i wonder if its to get publisity for a dying religeon who knows.... all i know is i now know theres a great big naked giant on a hill, if only it was female.....i might of gone to visit it haha
mike, Burnley says...
8:03pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Jack Harkness wrote:maybe we should all walk into teh woods... build a camp fire grab hands and sing hes got teh whole world in his hands, D'oh that would probably intise more religeos violence cos we didnt sing hims or chant poems haha
Whilst I do not disagree/agree I do think some form of 'universal harmony' should be considered here and the 'offending' article be viewed in the 'spirit' intended - a little 'humour'. Let's not go making wars, starting Jihads, anything else over it - it was a little bit of fun. But I DO think calling for 'religious extremism' over this is a little OTT! But also irresponsible. Given the current climate around the world currently. And before anyone has a go at what 'my beliefs' are I share a common belief - that we should all get along. Or fall before the wayside as a footnote in history. So, why not see it for what it is - a 'tongue in cheek' bit of fun? Please don't go advocating we take up arms on a brash moment of madness. The irony of all this is very nearly sublime. Oh, by the way Christianity gets mocked daily - by the removal of Bibles from hospital wards, Christmas Cards with no reference to Christ or any Christian ... shall I go on? Removal of such imagery only provokes resentment not, as is claimed, 'helps it'. As I said, I don't agree/nor disagree with this stunt - but I can begin to see the 'funny side' of it and appreciate it for that one thing. :D
Jack Harkness, Torchwood Hub says...
8:32pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Missed it entirely.
Jack Harkness, Torchwood Hub says...
8:34pm Thu 19 Jul 07
But also the OTT reaction on the first comment.
Which just shows how easy it is to get 'wound up' for something and nothing at the drop of a hat.
mercury, blackburn says...
6:19am Fri 20 Jul 07
JD, Blackburn says...
10:46am Fri 20 Jul 07
andy wrote:Hey,Andy! Chill out! Surely being Pagan doesn't mean you can have a sense of humour?!
Disgaceful behaviour. I am Pagan if I did this sort of behaviour of shear Vandalism near a Christian or other Major religiuouse sight whats the bet that the Police would lift me? I am offended by this I hope some one in the UK makes a claim of religiouse hatred to the relevent authorities lets see what happens. I doubt very much due to the Corrupt and some times Perverted Priests etc that go with Christianity as though as the Chrissys say their God Given Right.
Mr Wright, blackburn says...
11:09am Fri 20 Jul 07
HOMER ONLY WANTS SOMEWHERE TO HANG HIS DOUGHY NUTS... HA HA
Mr Wright, blackburn says...
11:15am Fri 20 Jul 07
blakey, bburn says...
11:34am Fri 20 Jul 07
Matt Bryson, England says...
12:02pm Fri 20 Jul 07
Oh, and Pagan religions arn't actually that dying out, they're making a sort of revival at the moment, I myself am friends with two practicing wiccans
IanK, says...
5:29pm Fri 20 Jul 07
Doe's religion (Christian, Jewish Muslim, Hindu or Pagan) have to be the basis of argument (they all profess peace as their primary beleif).
Anyone notice that "Homer" was not showing his naughty bits.
Anyone notice that Jack Harkness does not respond to posts in another thread.
Almost weekend - bye for now.
occasional reader, Yorkshire says...
3:57pm Wed 25 Jul 07
Morrigan, Cardiff says...
12:19am Wed 8 Aug 07
The majority of the population of Britain have been brainwashed by American rubbish.
Nothing is safe from advertising these days. Not even our historic monuments.
And of course when a pagan complains about something it's always lighten up and get a sense of humour.
Well I hope one day you find your selves at the receiving end of ridicule and jokes.
Wont be so funny then will it.
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andy, spain says...
4:54pm Thu 19 Jul 07