Maybe I'm missing something here, but that doesn't look well done or respectful.

Is that supposed to be a joke? Tasteless.

Is that even what the guy looked like?

It looks like an ad for an old exploitation film. I
am sure his heart is in the right place but I"m not sure that is coming across well.

@Bladefist: Sadly, I don't think it's supposed to be. It appears that someone is taking this unfortunate death to satirize American consumerism.

And this is relevant to the Consumerist why...?*

*I'm aware of the incident. I just don't know why some dude's Photoshop experiment needs this kind of attention.

Based on the rest of the images in this gallery this guy has 0 talent.

If he is trying to be respectful: Fail
If he is trying to make a joke: Fail

@Bladefist: i'm missing it too

This is a 1993 photo of Jdimytai. [www.nydailynews.com]

Ben, is there any reason to post this? This is utterly distasteful and sad. You're better than that.

RIP, Jdimytai.

What a tasteless piece of art.

it says it's acrylic on paper...digital acrylic?

@Bladefist: It didn't appear to be much of a memorialization of him to me either. Although it works rather well as a comment about what kind of culture an event like that can occur in. Regardless of that though, I think the art style is lacking.

If it is indeed intended to honor Jdimytai Damour, then Jeremy deosn't quite get it.

Wow. I just lost a little bit of respect for this blog.

Nice move there Ben.....

So he liked Breakout, then? This is the conclusion I've drawn.

As many artists have done throughout history, he is seeking publicity by creating art based on current events. Kinda like the guy who did the Obama poster (oh yeah, teensy difference - Obama is a historic victory, not the victim of a brutal murder).

Perhaps the artist could do a tribute to the gruesome triple-slaying of the relatives of Jennifer Hudson? I can see it already, the faces of her mother, sister and nephew in pop-art graphic form with a headline in rhinestones "It Ain't a Dream, Girl"

Do you see anything wrong with that? After all, The Diary of Anne Frank was made into a musical.

Yes, I'm appalled like all of you, but not suprised.

I'm no artist, but I know art when I see it.

This isn't art.

Can we take this sh*t off the site yet?

@Bladefist: Looking at the guys other artwork, this is his style, though I don't like it and it doesn't look good that is how he makes everything.

The thing we should be asking is why did Ben call it a digital image? Thats like me calling my phone a cellular telephone.

@Ben Popken: I'd like to chime in with the rest here...

Not respectful and a bit racist.

Didn't think or get a second opinion before posting this or what?

WTF?

I can't believe you decided to posted this. This guy is dead, I don't understand why it's OK to turn a death into some crappy social commentary.

Tastelessness can be overlooked if it is humorous. Even if you aren't offended by this, is just isn't humorous.

hello new desktop wallpaper

I may not know art, but I know what I like.

/and it isn't this.

Spectacularly tasteless.

yup, dont get it.

looks offensive too

I find it hilarious all this outpouring of "outrage" given Gawker media's handling of Sarah Palin and her down syndrome child, and pretty much anything related to Palin in general.

This is in shockingly bad taste. Consumerist, you should take down and apologize. I get that the "artist" (artwork self-described as "pseudo-religious pop-political crap") is attempting to portray consumerism run amok, but that doesn't work here. This is somebody who DIED. It's not humorous or funny.

Oh... I get it... "Black Friday"... because he's black.

Let's through in a disco dancefloor for good effect.

Har.

Har.

Har.

If you died, would you want something like this headlining on a blog?

I guess we know what kind of memorial Ben wants someday... get your MS Paint ready. But remember... stay classy!

@ceriphim:
What it (technically) is: art.

What it isn't: tasteful. funny. well-intentioned. well-accepted. classy...

etc.

Actually, everyone, don't pillory Ben, (first of all, comment code indicates you should email the editor, not use the thread).

In Chicago, where we have a wave of murders of young people, it is extremely common for t-shirts to be made featuring an airbrush art likeness of the deceased, often with slogans or messages surrounding it. It is worn by the family and friends as a sign of respect and honor, and they have even been worn at the funerals.

Now I don't find this at all tasteful myself, but this art IS in that vein, which is very much in line with current culture, even if many of us find it distastful.

Now rather than all of us wring our hands (or slap Ben), is anyone aware if this man had any family? Any charity set up to help him or similar victims? That would be a nice way for someone upset about this artist's tribute to throw some good karma out there.

@Ben Popken:

Ben, why would you post something tasteless like that 'art'? Take it down, please.

Ben, why would you post something tasteless like that 'art'? Take it down, please. Or are you a closet racist who wants to get fired since your company is for sale?

Is this 4Chan?

WTF? Why post this?

@Ben Popken: No wonder this blog is for sale.

@midwestkel: Because it is a digital image...? And while yes, your phone is most definatly not a cell phone, that is still the term used for PCS devices in the common lexicon. Unless it is a landline. That would leave me pretty confused by your analogy.

@MrDo: Sarah Palin CHOSE to run for public office. Do you remember how Chelsea Clinton was treated brutally? Dog Faced was one of Rush Limbah's sensitive comments. And as far as I am aware, Sarah Palin is NOT DEAD.

The outrage is because this man IS DEAD, brutally murdered because of people's crazed mob frenzy to buy things, (to celebrate the birth of of Jesus).

Slight difference? You betcha!

Sad... I mean, he died by the hooves of a bunch of greedy jerks. I don't see room for a joke.

I happen to enjoy this piece of artwork based on events reported on Consumerist. I like outsider amateur and underground art. I sort of saw it in the Shephard Fairey vein of iconifying individuals in current events.

@SkokieGuy: Not really, either case is tasteless. Did the child run for office?

The real hilarity is all the Black Friday insert ads that made it past Adblock.

@InfiniTrent: Or good. I've seen tasteless art that was still good. This is void of any redeeming qualities.

I get it. It makes me sad. RIP.

@Incognito: No offense, but I don't read Gawker.

@SkokieGuy: "That would be a nice way for someone upset about this artist's tribute to throw some good karma out there."

Or, using the cover of the First Amendment, we can type out on here that we thinks it's in poor taste.

@Ben Popken: Is this the kind of crap we can expect under the new owner?

@SkokieGuy: The comment was about her kid with autism. Autism > Ugly.

Also, more importantly it's about the reporting some sensitive issues. And while Rush may have said that, that doesn't make it right. These continued embarrassing cultural changes cant continue because you can point to someone else who did it previously. It's all just wrong.

I'm not usually one to critique the postings here on the Comsumerist, but this is just... bad. I'm not offended, or even really appalled, because this is something to be expected. Death is always a reason to produce social commentary like this. I'm just sad this made it onto Consumerist. The idea is there... RIP Jdimytai... but the picture itself trips over its tastelessness and falls miserably short of being either touching or humorous.

Furthermore, in my own opinion, the rest of his art is hard to look at. The symmetry is interesting, but the symbolism is... awkward.

People, I realuze you're selling off Consumerist but tanking the site is not helping the sale price.

@Ben Popken: I don't think you should have to explain it. Tasteless or not, it's still news.