Some people just dont understand satire. But im glad the German people do. because this is hilarious. Artist Ottmar Hoerl poses 3D models in provacative ways artistically. This particular installation uses facist gnomes. The only issue I have is somehow, gnomes have become synonymous with the easily manipulated and/or persuaded to hatred. But, I guess this isnt really that big of issue, since the image of the gnome is being used as a vehicle for good and not evil.
There are other worse protrayals of gnomes in society. A few examples are GnomeWatch, a watch dog group that has found a scapegoat for British domestic failures in gnomes and therefore spreads propaganda to discredit these gentle people (of course this is completely ridiculous), and this little site about gnome mutilation, totally sick, and very unfunny! and lastly... Harry Potter!
Thats right, Harry Potter, that lovable series of children's novels of a young wizard who defeats an unsurmountable evil masquerades as an innocent fantasy tale, but is really a 7 book anti-gnome rant. Gnomes are described as common garden pests that, much like grubs, or beetles, eat away at plants and root systems. These gnomes are also described as not very smart either, for when it is made obvious that someone is there to exterminate them, they "storm up to have a look" instead of staying in the ground, safe.
I guess it is better, then, to have gnomish representations symbolize and satirize an age of oppression, fear, ignorance, and brutality then be shown as idiotic pests, or public enemy number one. Check out more of Hoerl's installations and work at his website.
