"British artist takes AK-47s to US as part of exhibit, items barred from entry"

http://youtu.be/JHNyMCL9uWI/
1:21 RT News

‘Ironic’: Artist takes AK-47s to Texas as part of exhibit, items barred from entry —

https://www.rt.com/usa/356219-ak47-artwork-banned-symondson/
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US customs has refused entry to contemporary art installations featuring three decommissioned AK-47 assault rifles brought by a British man for an exhibit. The artist found it “ironic” in a country which allows citizens to freely carry guns.

Bran Symondson, a prominent British artist and a former soldier, was supposed to display the art pieces at an exhibit hosted in the city of Houston by London’s Maddox Gallery. The three installations titled “Spoils of War”, “Beat of a Wing” and “Virtue of the Vicious” are made from guns plastered either with butterflies or real dollar bills.

“Our pieces got refused entry to the United States because of the ATF laws and regulations of firearms. But my pieces were decommissioned…The ATF seized them. They basically said they weren’t allowed into the country,” Symondson told RT.

Originally, the weapons were used in war zones and were found en route from Afghanistan to Syria. In 2011 Symondson received the Amnesty International Media Award for the unusual installations.

A Maddox Gallery spokesman confirmed the pieces were intended to be showcased at an exhibit in Houston.

“The pieces have been halted at US customs and will not be permitted to be released for Maddox Gallery’s exhibition this week due to US customs law,” he said.

The installations now have to be shipped back to the UK, the artist said. He added that the fact they were originally manufactured in Russia might have played a role in the authorities’ decision to confiscate them.

“One of the issues that was flagged up is that the AK-47s originally were from Russia, even though they were captured in Syria en route from Afghanistan and then brought back to the UK and decommissioned there, these AK47s were actually made in Russia originally. And it was flagged up by the ATF that they have an issue with bringing in weapons that are made in Russia,” he told RT.

Disappointed, Symondson called the situation “ironic”.

“It is ironic that the law permits US Citizens to go and buy a new, live weapon which I could, in theory, use to create one of my artworks from, which then could technically be used in its intended form but will not allow my pieces of harmless art into the country,” he pointed out.

Having his pieces taken away, Symondson had to construct a replica of his artwork right on the spot for the exhibit to run. He managed to do so just in three days.

“I was able to get a replica of AK-47 in the United States three days prior to the show. This piece would have normally taken me about a week to make, but it took me three days because I just worked through the night. And this piece sold on the opening night,” he told RT. “For any future art pieces I’ll actually have to come physically to the United States to make them here.”

According to the General Firearms Laws of The State of Texas, citizens are not allowed to carry a handgun outside their own premises. However, they are permitted to carry a shotgun or rifle, either open or concealed, in a non-threatening or alarming manner. Just recently Texas passed a law authorizing people of 21 years and older with a proper license to take weapons onto college campuses.

Awww... Poor baby
He was soooo.... looking forward to teaching us something.



This is one of the biggest  pieces  of PROPAGANDA , I have seen this year.



Life and people are complex. A writer as an artist doesn't have the personality of a politician. We don't see the world that simply.
Joyce Carol Oates

In any country, in any city, there will be political influence on what is said, what kind of images are to be projected and, yes, of course artists can be and are influenced by politicians.
Cai Guo-Qiang

That's the craziest thing I heard in a while

Didn't the artist know he could pick up a AK47 at any 7-11 corner store in Tx???

I know right? Silly Brexiter, tricks are for kids. I could sell him a decommissioned AK-47 for 47 dollars! Besides, if your going to bring weapons to the good old US of A, make sure they work!!! Our homeland security guys will enjoy those baby's when they confiscate them for their own personal use! :a
Let that be a lesson to servants of the Queen. Bring working weapons!
And keep your fartsy art were it belongs, in mother england!

"And keep your fartsy art were it belongs, in mother england!"

Thanks
I spit my coffee out... twice from laughing on this TOPIC
(Especially because his art is,NOT AN ORIGINAL IDEA.. There are award winning photos of this PROPAGANDA, dating back to 1968.. at least).

Somewhere between the insurance companies,
the attorneys, and the sponsors of the event...

Someone, could have done a bit of research,
prior to the mensa reject having his toys taken
away from him.

I bet he pees sitting down....