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by Mark_Ockerbloom from Dedham

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Dr.Death's Artwork
Oct 5, 2008 | 6:06 PM
Category: News
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Dr. Jack Kevorkian aka Dr. Death is shocking people once again. Not by assisting in a patient's suicide, but by painting some controversial images. Sixteen of his paintings are now on display at the Armenian Library and Museum of America in Watertown. In one of the works entitled "1915 Genocide to 1945", real human blood is mixed with paint to commemorate the extinction of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish empire and 30-years later, the murder of 6 million Jews at the hands of the Nazis. Kevorkian didn't have to look far for his inspiration, the 80-year old former pathologist's parents were both Armenian genocide survivors. Kevorkian also painted "Very Still Life" in which an iris is seen blooming out from a skull and bones.

Many people are intrigued by his artwork...but plenty of others have a hard time accepting it for what it is. They can't see past his stance on physician assisted suicide after he participated in 130 of them before eventually going to jail. But he did his time and is stirring the pot once more with works of art that produce all kinds of thought, commentary, appreciation and even condemnation...and for an artist there is no higher compliment. Sounds intriguing to me and something worth checking out...you agree?
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Member Comments Total Comments: 20
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SCOTTA read my blog
Oct 5, 2008 | 7:09 PM

I would stay clear of anything to do with
"Dr. Death". No doctor should be involved in "assisting" a patient end his/her life.
There is Hospice Care, and a myriad of drugs available that can help aid a person, in the event that a full recovery is not possible.
Regarding his artwork, I don't think I would see it, because I really can't get beyond his past misdeeds.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Oct 5, 2008 | 8:02 PM

Assisted suicide and genocide are about as far apart as firecrackers and 1,000 lb. bombs.
SCOTTA read my blog
Oct 5, 2008 | 9:08 PM

Assisted Suicide is wrong, plain & simple.
sirB read my blog
Oct 5, 2008 | 9:48 PM

I think if one is in a grave, painful, terminal situation, assisted suicide should be the sufferer's right.

As far as Kevorkians art.... A bit warped.
jovanone read my blog view my photos
Oct 5, 2008 | 10:07 PM

Hi Mark,

Congratulations and Thank You to you and the entire Fox team for a job well done yesterday.

Dr. Jack Kevorkian aka Dr. Death, assisted suicides, I can’t really say I’m against what he did was wrong. As far as his paintings are concerned, without seeing them I can’t really comment, but find it interesting.
Xantun read my blog view my photos
Oct 5, 2008 | 11:01 PM

Kevorkian's art, while warped sounding, isn't really "shocking" in terms of news. He's definitely NOT the first criminal to be a bit of an artist. He also probably won't be the last. I wouldn't mind getting a look at the paintings though.

And Chip's right. Whatever your feelings on assisted suicide, it's about as far from genocide as you can get.
Graham_Cracker read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 6:07 AM

I'm not interested in his art. Unlike so many people these days, I steer clear of the macabre. I don't watch horror movies, either.
In my view, Jack Kevorkian is a sick little man. I think to legitimize his art by going to see it does little more than stroke the self-righteousness of people who feel the need to look more "cultured" and "open-minded."
But there's nothing close-minded about the fact that I don't choose to legitimize perverseness.
swifty783 read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 9:59 AM

Although I disagree with Kevorkian's methods, there are some cases where assisted suicide may be acceptable. Oregon has it, with many safeguards in place to prevent misuse. After much review, the patient's physician can write a ‘lethal dose' of medication that the patient takes themselves. However, the physician cannot administer the 'lethal dose' themselves; it must be done by the patient. The laws are written very specifically to prevent abuse and statistics have shown that not everyone chooses that option.

After seeing my father die a horribly painful and miserable death, it opened my eyes to the fact that there should be options for those who cannot take the pain, or the thought of suffering. Sure there is hospice care; I am a nurse and have seen the benefit of this. But there should be options for people who feel they can't go on.

I do agree with Xantun and Chip, however, that the connection with genocide and assisted suicide is in question. Dr. Kevorkian is a sick, perverse man who only wants to blow his own horn and get attention. I would probably not go see the exhibition for this reason, as well as the fact I would have bad dreams for life if I saw the paintings.
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 3:56 PM

How many times this summer when traveling back and forth to New Jersey I wished for Dr. Kevorkian. The torment my Mother was in, if I had half the courage I might have done it myself. One never knows how they will react till you watch someone die before your eyes. Finally my Mothers death came in the form of Hospice. I watched them put my Mother to death peacefully and with dignity. The only difference between Hospice and Dr. Kevorkian is the law. "THEY SHOOT HORSES DON'T THEY?"
TheEliteOne read my blog
Oct 6, 2008 | 5:03 PM

He gives me the creeps. Whatever one's opinion on assisted suicide, he was involved in way too many.
templeowls read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 5:26 PM

One sentence only to describe what I think.

This guy is a wack job and needs to be in a mental ward.
templeowls read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 5:37 PM

One more question.

What does a painting of someone eating someones head with a fork have to do with assisted suicide?
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 5:46 PM

He certainly isn't a Michael Angelo.
Mark_Ockerbloom read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 6:53 PM

Hey guys,

I appreciate all your comments and sharing your very personal stories of loss involving loved ones. I too have witnessed firsthand the death of a loved one who struggled mightily and painfully at the end.

That said, I see the Doctor's artwork as a seperate entity and find it interesting. Thoughts on assisted suicide are fine...and indeed welcome, but I was angling more towards his work as an artist.
sirB read my blog
Oct 6, 2008 | 7:21 PM

I saw some paintings briefly on the FOX. I'm not big into art. The pictures may have been interesting, but I wouldn't exactly hang one over the mantlel. Where would you hang one of those anyway?
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 7:28 PM

Ock, His artwork and some materials used are a bit morbid. It's not my taste. On the other hand, it might very well wind up on Antique Roadshow in 2060 with an appraisal 10 Million??????
Dramamama read my blog
Oct 6, 2008 | 7:42 PM

In all Art, part of 'the artist' is in their art also.

The Dr. has some unresolved issues and isn't all there.
sirB read my blog
Oct 6, 2008 | 8:36 PM

I guess one of the Doc's paintings would spruce up any morgue.
swifty783 read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 9:24 PM

I think that once you say the name Jack Kevorkian, Mark, it conjures up many emotions; hence my emotional tirade on assisted sucicide. I apologize for getting so off topic.

I understand what you are saying that his art is interesting. Did you see Gunther von Hagens' Body World exhibit when it was in Boston? Fascinating but morbid.

I did see some of Kevorkian's paintings on the 5pm news tonight and it was not morbid as I expected; I might reconsider my original stance on the subject and go see the exhibit.
templeowls read my blog view my photos
Oct 7, 2008 | 5:35 PM

I still say that painting someone eating someones head with a fork has nothing to do with assisted suicide.
Remember the serial killer John Wayne Gacey (not sure if last name is spelled correctly) He was quite the Picasso himself.
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Mark_Ockerbloom

I anchor the Fox 25 News at 5, 10 & 11pm and want to hear from you. Feel free to drop me a line anytime.

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