Artist Jeremy Scheuch made this digital image of Jdimytai Damour, the Walmart worker who was trampled to death by a crowd of Black Friday shoppers after they broke down the front doors and stormed in.
“Art is subjective, but I didn’t mean to cause offense in any way,” said Jeremy. “People were shopping at the Wal-mart the next day as if nothing had happened. I was appalled at the events that happened and this was my reaction.”
Black Friday [jeremyscheuch]
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Someone needs a lesson in Photoshop. I don’t think he meant offense, but this looks amateurish. It needs a LOT more thought, and the Wal-Mart logo in there somewhere to get the real message across to look less offensive.
@TruthAndTheory: WalMart was just a symptom of the disease. He included the logo/symbol of the real culprit of this mans unfortunate death.
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy->★: Oops, I meant the actual word ‘Wal-Mart.” You are right, the symbol is there.
@TruthAndTheory: Darn you two, now I’ll actually remember what the Wal-Mart symbol looks like.
@TruthAndTheory: @Incognito: I didn’t even realize until you said that that the logo was in there. I was speaking of the America flag. I was alluding to America itself being the root of the main problem, as short of food riots in other countries, we would not see things like this.
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy->★: Actually, the new Wal-mart logo is in the image above. Look again
This is the best artistic piece I have seen all year. It says so much. Let me illustrate why. The artist has chosen to have the Wal-Mart logo placed above a disco like dance floor image, as if it is a row of lights. To me this speaks to the showy, hollow image of Black Friday. The black man himself is below the words which makes his face all the more prominent on the black background. This draws attention to the racial and ethnic element of the story… especially with the exclamation point before the phrase. Finally, the reversed flags with the proper flag and words is really very clever: “sale” spelled backwards is “elas”, like “Alas”, lamenting the fate of the worker himself and the moral emptiness of the society. The garishness of the lettering and the design color choice is like society on that day: overwhelming and ugly.
This is just my opinion. You can disagree. But this is still art, and it deserves respect.
wow, you people don’t get it. it seems that you’re more outraged at a piece of art than at the original event that inspired it.
read the artist’s statement. this piece is meant to mimic the absurdity of a man dying at the hands of american greed and consumerism. the same greed opened that walmart the next day for shoppers to keep on spending, as if nothing happened. THAT is rediculous, inappropriate and offensive.
i think this art speaks volumes. well done, jeremy.
What happened to you Consumerist? It just seems like there’s more and more sloppiness here. Bring Joel back, this blog has been on a long decline ever since he left.
yes, this is offensive, but it’s made more offensive due to the excessive amount of attention it’s getting. we should be focusing on how to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again, not arguing about whether a stupid drawing by an untalented “artist” is offensive or simply a reflection of our society.
I’m shocked that almost none of you understand this piece, but then again I usually end up thinking people are much smarter than they turn out to be.
To those who are offended by the art and cannot understand it in any other way besides as an affront to your sensibilities- this is precisely the kind of selfishness that allows the insanity of what happened to Jdimytai Damour. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
If this further confuses and angers you: I’m not even going to try to explain myself or try to show you the truth in the piece. If you are as much in an emotional trance as most of the comments here represent, no explaination will satisfy you.
This is challenging art, and I think it’s effective. I am glad you posted it, Ben. One way art helps keep us as a society healthy is that it shows us who we are, where we have been and what we are becoming. That kind of news is often unwelcome and shocking.
I think everyone who is freaking out in disgust is reacting to how this picture is exactly as shocking and horrifying as it is meant to be. This is not a joke, nor is it meant to be a subdued tribute to the fallen. This is about a nation of shoppers who literally crush one another underfoot for the sake of shopping. The “blaxploitation” theme reflects the sad and evil fact that racism still blights our nation, so not only do we commit manslaughter for the sake of discount goods, but the ones we step on are often starting from disadvantage anyway. (I know, we aren’t all precisely that evil, yadda yadda.)
So I liked this one. Unfortunately the only other thing I liked in this artist’s online portfolio was the picture of Johnny Cash. I found everything else disappointing.
Tasteless, party of one, your table is ready.
Peter Max part Deux.
To the artist, thanks for posting. Not a lot of people know about this. To all, this is relevant across all sectors. Consumerism or not someone died because we were trying to get the right gift for someone else who will might not like next year. All please recognize someone is dead, gone for doing their job. It is life and should be respected. To all who serve in wars and police offices, firemen, thank you.
I don’t mind it at all, if I get killed by a black Friday mob or a SUV while riding my bike, I hope I get some sort of art like this in my memory.
Wow. Just wow. And here I thought that trying to rid the world of things we don’t find pretty or don’t agree with was a thing of the past.
As I read these comments, this video keeps running through my head:
“Black Friday” and a picture of a black guy. And then it has the Wal-Mart logo – a bunch of times – and then a disco floor.
Very distasteful.
I thought this would give more details about what happened to Mr. Damour. Unfortunately, it was a very stupid picture, as well as an advertisement.
Hrm. When I saw it I didn’t think it was tasteless. I thought it was making a statement on the exploitation of the man who died. Which explains the Blaxploitation look to this.
Now the question is, will the Walmart workers comp company try to get out of paying for his death?
I am not fond of it myself but I do think it has meaning and shows how low society can sink over a sale. I don’t really think the picture is disrespectful, it just shows how trivial and cheap life has become. I also saw some comments about how the artist is trying to capitalize on current events. I actually see nothing bad about that. Art is supposed to be a reflection of how we view life and major events are just a part of that view.
Doesn’t seem like anyone really “gets” it. But I’ll tell you what I got.
You can call this tasteless, trashy, too-soon, stupid, or any other number of names. You can call it art or not art. You can like or dislike it. Call it racist even. It really doesn’t matter.
What matters is that you have an opinion on it, that it stirred something up within you, and that small stirring of emotion keeps this story in the public eye. In all honesty I had forgotten about the fact that someone was trampled to death at Walmart as people got caught up in buying some random odds and ends for less than usual. Thanks to this post, which for some reason readers are associating with the overall quality of the posts on this blog, I am once again reminded that something senseless and horrible occurred and society as a whole needs to remember this mistake in order to learn from it.
If you conveniently “forgot” this event, or failed to see the significance when it happened, maybe now that there is a piece of “artwork” inspired by it, you’ll remember it, and maybe even form an opinion about it.
Mission accomplished I believe.
@Danj3ris: Amen
@Danj3ris: Insight. Right on.
I think it’s great. really. and I’ll be spending the next two days at Art Basel…
And it’s almost the perfect thing to post on a blog called The Consumerist.
This should be removed from this website.
It would aloso be very cool if people made color copies and put them up around their local WalMart.
@IrvCrapper: @CountryJustice:
Yes, all criticism is now deemed “righteous indignation” by Country Justice. Be forewarned.
As a degreed fine artist, I would like to point out that although it looks easy, apparently not everyone is good at modern art.
@moore850: As a fellow degreed fine artist, I would like to point out that the credentials “degreed fine artist” are worth diddly and squat, and that criticizing any form of modern art from such a podium is laffable.
@CountryJustice: You’re right, having no education at all makes a person way more qualified to criticize any form of artwork, especially modern art.
Quick, everyone! To the Righteous-Indignation Cave! The Joker’s afoot!
So, based on the artwork, Jdimytai Damour enjoyed dancing on rainbow colored disco floors? This looks like it came from one of those old Fat Albert cartoons. Not exactly a heartfelt artistic statement.
Folks, just a reminder to keep comments civil. It’s fine to not like the art in the OP (much of art is controversial) but let’s keep the comments constructive and appropriate. Calling the art tasteless or poorly done is fine, but let’s not attack the character of the artist or the editor.
@Consumerist-Moderator-Roz:
Whole problem could be solved by pull the entire post.
@IrvCrapper: Yeah, we should solve the problem of uncivil commenters by censoring the blog.
@humphrmi:
I suppose given your absurd definition of “censorship,” to the extent that every story in the NY Times isn’t in this blog, it is already censored.
I’m talking about editorial restraint. This story is TMZ worthy.
That’s what I meant.
Besides, this site has staff that censors comments. So, if that’s a problem for you, perhaps you should find a home elsewhere?
so, its ok to post it at walmart, but not here? where it can be discussed? Contradict yourself much?
Its art- not everyone has to get it or like it. but (god bless america) you need to allow it. Its called freedom of expression.
werd.
@salaboutme:
Post it at WalMart to harass WalMart.
Don’t let them duck this public relations disaster and their utter disrespect for humanity.
As appalling the events are, regarding the context of this piece, the artist not only does not owe anyone “respect,” but accusing him of seeking publicity, of having no taste…of having no talent…is utterly condescending.
There are valid reasons not to like a piece: Form, Content, Style…and there are plenty of constructive ways to explain that viewpoint. “I don’t get it” is inane. It’s worthless information to anyone.
Personally I like it. I don’t think the artist owes a complete stranger a wonderfully beautiful homage. He drew what he felt, and that should be enough, and I think it’s beautiful. Grow up.
and if you READ the comments from the artist, here, i’ll make it easy for everyone….
“Art is subjective, but I didn’t mean to cause offense in any way,” said Jeremy. “People were shopping at the Wal-mart the next day as if nothing had happened. I was appalled at the events that happened and this was my reaction.”
@salaboutme: That was added way after it was initially posted.
ok, but it is still how the artist feels. he did this out of his own grief for the events that occurred.
happy holidays
@Smashville:
This image did what are is supposed to do…it started a conversation, made all of you think, made you question your morals and what you stand for. I’m surprised how many closed minded people are out there. People deal with tragedy/death in so many ways, which way is the “right” way? There is no right way to mourn. I think the artist is an amazing person. I know him personally. People criticized all the greatest cutting edge artists from the past. You might wanna keep this guys name in your back pocket.
I get this. It’s not offensive, its ironic.
Okay…the black friday part is actually offensive since this man’s death had nothing to do with race. But I actually get the rest of it.
I would really like to see a Boycott Black Friday movement next year in Jdimytai’s name. I’d like to see this day of consumer madness turn into a protest day.
@femmeknitzi: But it had to do with “Black Friday”. It wasn’t meant as “Black” Friday. I think it’s evidenced by the words SALE underneath it that it was referring to how people react on one particular day of the year. What I find ultimately ironic is that only when it comes to shopping is Black Friday considered a “good” thing. Whenever I hear Black Friday, I think of the multitude of bad events that happen on a particular day, and people mark that day by calling it Black ____day such as :
Monday: [en.wikipedia.org]
Tuesday: [en.wikipedia.org])
Wednesday: [en.wikipedia.org]
Thursday: [en.wikipedia.org]
Friday: [en.wikipedia.org]
Saturday: [en.wikipedia.org]
Sunday: [en.wikipedia.org]
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy->★:
It comes from the ability of businesses to operate out of the “red.” As such, I think they believe it is a good thing.
@IrvCrapper: I know, that’s why I said only when it comes to shopping is it a good thing, and not bad like the other days. But it’s ironic in that in this good day, something horrible happened, which could turn Black Friday for businesses into what the others are.
I find it to be an interesting piece. Sort of a sad reminder of what corporations have done to brainwash the country with their shopping habits.
RIP Jdimytai Damour.
Jeremy Scheuch < steaming pile of doodoo.
@ZukeZuke:
This is a much better dedication.
@thedreamingtree: “This is a much better dedication.”
Better for who exactly? Personally I would have preferred it if he’d jumped down from his pulpit long enough to actually talk in depth about Mr. Damour and his family instead of using the mans death as an opportunity to evangelize.
@ZukeZuke: Thank you for that well-put comment. Obviously this artist will never recover from being compared to a third grade word for fecal matter.
This is pretty awful. And I got to this picture not because I normally read this blog, but because there was a link to here from the LifeHacker blog. So apparently the people at Gawker Media think this “art” is just fabulous.
I’m a big fan of art that makes people think– a good example being Serrano’s “Piss Christ” in which the artist was making an actual statement… and more importantly could *defend* those statements. This doesn’t fall into that class.
I can think of many ways the artist could have gone. He could have made a statement about consumerism, putting a price tag on Jdimytai’s head. He could have represented the people who trampled him in some abstract way that reflected their herd nature. He could have taken the advertisement for the sale and replaced the prices with “One Human Life”.
In short, he could have found some statement more deep, more meaningful, more cutting, or even just more clever than “gosh, I was appalled and decided to render my outrage in this image that says nothing.”
You watch. The artist will probably retroactively claim, “my point was to spark discussion” or some other nonsense. That’s always the last refuge of art hacks.
@MaraSpezza: “This is pretty awful” but a photo of a crucifixion of Christ dropped in the artist’s urine is better at making people think? And placing a price tag on a Black man’s head to make a point about consumerism – ever hear of slave auctions and think how that direct association might be made? “This image that says nothing” says a lot to people who recognize it means something – especially to the artist and those who chose not to judge him nor the editors.
Disgusting!!! This is by no means art, or a respectable way to pay respect to someone who lost there life.