J ubal Brown, who had previously vomited red over an artwork in Ontario, continued his mission to vomit in primary colours over classic works of art this time vomitting in Blue over Piet Mondrian's Composition (1933) also known as Composition in Red, White and Blue.

In relation to the painting he said 'I found its lifelessness threatening and it made me sick.'[1] The repugnancy of the aesthetics asides, certainly the blue gelatin and cake icing he injested before the act would be a larger contributing factor than he gives it credit for. Brown is also widely quoted as saying 'I am protesting against the stale, obedient, lifeless crusts hanging everywhere in museums by vomiting on them'[2]

This was the second in an act of three performances he planned to make. The subject of the third performance was unclear but he seemed determined to project yellow vomit over it 'I haven't yet decided on the painting for Phase III, but it will probably be something by Picasso.'[3]

Brown was also in the media spotlight in later years when as codirector of a gallery he was called to testify in court in relation to a video that was exhbited by artists depicting the skinning of a live cat.

 

1.Sick Art
Pugzine

2. Buzzcuts
Offbeat Magazine

3. Stupid Crime
Toronto Globe & Mail

 

Attention Museum Security Managers
Christian C. Burke, Museum Security Mailing List Thu, 02 Jan 1997

Art education, student's vomit project seen as vandalism
Art Business News Dec. 8/96

Almost barred on barf
Capital of Nasty, Volume 2, Issue 36 September 15, 1997
An amusing little story about a student researching a story on Jubal Brown and almost getting sent out of the gallery by association.

Lifeless, Oppressive
[AP, 12/1/96]

Art Gallery Abuse
Puppy Mill Fighters
A story about the cat skinning video.

Spicing Up Art
Bully Rag, Monday, December 9, 1996
From: "The Museum Security Network"