God I hate my school...

[The Masterplan]

Yeah, so I go to a private Christian school, which wouldn't be that bad if they didn't use the bible as a filter for the ciriculum. Now to the point:

Most of you have seen my beginning sketches and whatnot for this illustration project for The Call of Cthulhu. Well, I come into my art class for 7 & 8th period and my art teacher, very sullen, asks if she can talk to me for a second. Being observant, I noticed that on the desktop of the computer in the room a random image search engine with a search for "Cthulhu" in the seacrh bar. Inner Ken is saying, "Oh fuck me she's not going to let me fucking so this." Outer Ken said "Is something the matter?". I knew full well what was coming, but I didn't know to the extent it was taken. We sat down and she calmly explained to me how she feels uncomfortable with me doing this project because of the images she found when doing the search. She was really fucking bothered though, it was weird and I could definiately tell. I felt bad, cause I like my art teacher, but she didn't know what she was talking about. She seemed to think that Cthulhu is some kind of demon or pagan god or something.

The person who gave me the book of H.P. Lovecraft short stories, was none other than my chemistry teacher. So after my art teacher told me how she felt bad and like something was "pulling on her conscience" over the whole thing, I asked if I could get my chemistry teacher to straighten things out. So I walk out the door, across the cafeteria, up three flights of stairs and arrive at 304. I knocked on the door and he already knew exactly why I was there. Apparently, she had tried to talk to him about the book he gave me and he said he would have to talk to her some other time because he was between classes. However, he told me that she said, "Did you give a book to Ken with all kinds of demons and monsters in it?" and he couldn't believe what he was hearing. So, needless to say, he was pissed and even though he didn't say it, it was kind of my fault for telling her who gave me the book.

So after all these things transpired, I went back down to art and sat with the other two people in my "section" and sat there with my thumb up my ass. I didn't want to trash my Cthulhu stuff if there was a chance I could still use it, but at the same time I didn't want to start something new and end up not using it. The project is due on Monday and I'm still waiting on a decision to be made in order for me to start putting lead down on my illustration board. I don't think I should have to worry about drawing a damned mythological creature, just because other people's portrayal of it is less than desirable for my teacher. And on top of that my chemistry teacher was really pissed off in general cause I caused him so much indirect grief.

God damn I hate my school.

[Nega-Brent]

Yeah, so I go to a private Christian school...

That's really all that needed to be said.

[Tanni Foemangler]

just do what you want to do, it's ART man. if they want to bust you for doing something you care about, at least you went down with dignity

[Ceraziefish]

I agree with Tim's post. Just because Cthulhu is connected with satanic imagery, etc, doesn't matter, you're not connecting it with that. You should tell your art teacher in the nicest way possible that, just because one person's interpretation offends her sensibilities, it doesn't necessarily follow that yours will.

I mean, there are plenty of churches all over the place with pictures of Satan and sinners being tormented. Let me say that again; there are Christian churches with pictures of Satan all over the place.

Making art about a mythical creature that has nothing to do with Satan is in no way subversive or offensive to the Christian faith. Ask her if it would be acceptable to draw a picture of mythological creatures of a different ilk; nymphs, dragons, unicorns? There is very little difference between drawing a picture of a dragon and drawing a picture of Cthulhu.

Besides, Cthulhu is way more powerful than Satan ever could be. All Hail Lord Cthulhu.

[DreamerGirl]

I got to a Catholic school, but my art teacher was Jewish and it's a pretty liberal school.

They had no problem putting up my picture of a slit wrist, and I used to get invited to display work in their art show.

I never realized how lucky I was until reading this. @.@

I'd definitely ask for an extension if they say you can't use it though. It isn't fair to not give you one.

[The Masterplan]

I totally fucking agree with you guys. I don't know if I actually said it, but I thought I mentioned what you guys said about Cthulhu essentially being a dragon with a fucking octopus head. And besides, afer the dynamic light and shade is done, There will be virtually no details. I was waiting for a response today, but my chemistry teacher called out sick and another day went by, but like you guys said, fuck it. I'm gonna keep going with the project and to hell the expense or consequence. The project is due one day before my birthday, so I better get an extention. Tomorrow I'm going to talk to her first thing in the morning and tell her that regardless of whatever conotations other people give it, my intention is not to draw something Satanic or otherwise and I will make sure that it is virtually impossible to draw a tie to that by the time the damned thing is finished. Even if all this ocurs and they still tell me no, Cthulhu is going on that fucking illustration board one way or another.

[Tanni Foemangler]

:headbang: :headbang:

[amy]

This is what I expect from a private Christian school.

[Gundampilotspaz]

This is what I expect from a Christian.

Fixed

[Makil]

I'm glad you're choosing to keep doing your original idea. My friend and I never let the school restrict what we could do in our art. We never did anything pornographic or anything but we had some pretty fucked up images going on. Luckilly our teacher was how an art teacher should be and supported us. Don't let people tell you what you can and can't draw. Fuck them.

[amy]

Well, that's what your parents are paying for

To be honest I don't think the school is doing anything wrong. I think of it like secular schools, you can't make anything racist. In a Christian school, you can't make anything "demonic" and isn't Cthulu some kind of all-consuming demon thing. Maybe I just sound like your teacher.

[Tanni Foemangler]

This is how I ended with a C+ in my highschool art class.

(It's funny because I got an A in the first term, but somehow I pissed off the teacher and my mark miraculously changed... )

i'm having a hard time putting thoughts together in a meaningful way just now but i'll give it a shot:

**nvm, i'll save it for another time :whistling:

[Federal Network]

i can't fathom something like this.but in my school i wrote an entire poetry anthology based on graphic rape, murder, torture and topped it of with some bleak views on humanities direction. and all i got was 28/30 and a little note saying that they were good but maybe something light and frothy next time.haha

good on you for just doing it anyways. Art is about creativity.

[DreamerGirl]

My little brother got in trouble for writing a somewhat gruesome story this year about the holocaust. (He's 10.)

It was really above his age level. I was impressed.

My mother went in and threw a fit about the teacher's censorship. He can write whatever he wants now! :awesome:

[The Masterplan]

Here's some extra bullshit: I talked to my chemistry teacher and events such as these occured. He told my art teacher about how regardless of other people's interpretation of Cthulhu, in the actual story, without which, he would not exist, is not focused on Cthulhu being something to worship. It's essentially a story about a professor who takes it upon himself to investigate strange goings on and ends up waking an elder god from parts unknown. That's it. She talked abot all the images she googled and how awful it was and if I was to produce something similar, there would be problems if it went in the art show or God forbid ACSI. [ACSI = Association of Christian Schools International.] On a side note: The last thing I put in the ACSI Fine Arts Festival, I got first place for my medium [marker] and a "superior" [best ranking] on the actual picture, which should give her more incentive to let me try something for Chrissake. [self indulgence ftw] While I was there, I saw some weird shit and they didn't seem to care. In fact, if such artwork is deemed questionable/objectional, a photocopy/whatever can be faxed to them in advance to make sure it's ok.

Now for the the piece de resistance: She's taking it up with the headmaster of my school. My chem teacher is on my side, cause the last thing he told me he said was, "At very least and to be fair, if you bring this matter to the headmaster's attention, use Ken's sketches and not the images you printed from the internet." The bitch of it is, I can't reference what my chem teacher said, because he wasn't supposed to tell me. What really pisses me off the most, is that it's even got this far. The fact that it's come to what it has is a fucking joke. I love my art teacher, but she's gonna have to bite the bullet on this one. The next time I have this class is tomorrow, so wish me luck.

[Satan]

Here's some extra bullshit: I talked to my chemistry teacher and events such as these occured. He told my art teacher about how regardless of other people's interpretation of Cthulhu, in the actual story, without which, he would not exist, is not focused on Cthulhu being something to worship. It's essentially a story about a professor who takes it upon himself to investigate strange goings on and ends up waking an elder god from parts unknown. That's it. She talked abot all the images she googled and how awful it was and if I was to produce something similar, there would be problems if it went in the art show or God forbid ACSI. [ACSI = Association of Christian Schools International.] On a side note: The last thing I put in the ACSI Fine Arts Festival, I got first place for my medium [marker] and a "superior" [best ranking] on the actual picture. [self indulgence ftw] While I was there, I saw some weird shit and they didn't seem to care. In fact, if such artwork is deemed questionable/objectional, a photocopy/whatever can be faxed to them in advance to make sure it's ok.

Now for the the piece de resistance: She's taking it up with the headmaster of my school. My chem teacher is on my side, cause the last thing he told me he said was, "At very least and to be fair, if you bring this matter to the headmaster's attention, use Ken's sketches and not the images you printed from the internet." The bitch of it is, I can't reference what my chem teacher said, because he wasn't supposed to tell me. What really pisses me off the most, is that it's even got this far. The fact that it's come to what it has is a fucking joke. I love my art teacher, but she's gonna have to bite the bullet on this one. The next time I have this class is tomorrow, so wish me luck.

What's she going to say to him, other people used this same idea in an improper way so you can't use it? Holy Shit, that'd be more retarded than I expect even from another Christian school.

[Ceraziefish]

I'm sorry you've been having to deal with this bullshit, man. It's fucking ridiculous.

However, it is also exactly why these places exist.

[The Masterplan]

At long last: conquest. Went in to class today, sat down and talked to my art teacher for a good ten minutes and: Cthulhu fucking lives. I'd like to thank all of you for giving me the insight and for lack of a better word, balls, to make sure that this ended the way it did. I took a stand for my art and it got me very far. She even gave me an entire week extention on the deadline because of the whole "waiting process". I'll be sure to post a pic when it's done.

[Tanni Foemangler]

i've said it before, :headbang:

i've only had to take a stand and crack an art teacher's balls once and i got mad props from my other teachers

[Belial]

[Ceraziefish]

Good job man. Congratulations on fighting the good fight.

[Federal Network]

Good going. can't wait to see it when itsdone

[Makil]

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

[winterlong]

This is what I expect from any Christian other than Winterlong.

Ahem.

Fix'd.

[DreamerGirl]

Whoot! Congratulations.

Hmm, did anyone else notice the irony of the title of this thread? XD