Davaar Cave Painting vandalised !!!

[Sweltered]

I don't care anymore. The painting on the wall is not the the painting I first saw, it wasn't what McKinnon painted, therefore it has no historical relevence. It is however, in a miniscule way, a tourist attraction, and the culprit should be taken to task. I seem to remember the cross was spray painted a few years ago, there wasn't much ado about that at the time. And it IS of historical importance.

All these people up in arms about this, when was the last time they actually visited the island.

[gers#1fan]

well said sweltered i agree

[Bruce]

All these people up in arms about this, when was the last time they actually visited the island.

20th July 2006 - during the 2nd week of my 2 week stay in the Campbeltown area!

However, only ever having seen the Togneri version of the painting for real (and only for the first time last year) I can't really comment on what was there before! However, my partner's dad's family is from the Campbeltown area so I do understand a bit about how the painting is perceived by locals!

As for the cross, I had read that it had been sprayed at one point, but don't recall when this was. However, I get the feeling it may have been before the world wide web existed... or if not, then chances are forums were not that popular then! The world has changed Sweltered and it is now a lot easier for people to express their opinions in public! However, as the recent posts on another proposed wind farm in the Kintyre shows its also easier for those with no connection to an area to get involved!

[petewick]

All these people up in arms about this, when was the last time they actually visited the island.

I've never been to the Cistine Chapel, but I would be just as annoyed if that was defaced.

petewick

[amron]

Sweltered wrote:
All these people up in arms about this, when was the last time they actually visited the island.


I have taken my children over 3 times,in the past 8 years, also been over with the school, the guides and went by boat when my sisters city pals were here, They were totally amazed, when they heard about the spray painting the were totally shocked as the felt privilaged at having seen it for themselves. A trip 16 years ago has remained firm in their memory.

[lightning jnr]

i can see how people are so annoyed with the graffiti or whatever it is..but i also also dont get the amount of people that have said they have never seen it before and they have stayed in campbeltown all there lives. if the painting means so much to them how came they have never been to visit it. unlike the cistine chapel , davaar island is only 30mins walk away. im sure once the painting is restored it will only add to the history of the painting.

[Sweltered]

All these people up in arms about this, when was the last time they actually visited the island.

20th July 2006 - during the 2nd week of my 2 week stay in the Campbeltown area!

However, only ever having seen the Togneri version of the painting for real (and only for the first time last year) I can't really comment on what was there before! However, my partner's dad's family is from the Campbeltown area so I do understand a bit about how the painting is perceived by locals!

As for the cross, I had read that it had been sprayed at one point, but don't recall when this was. However, I get the feeling it may have been before the world wide web existed... or if not, then chances are forums were not that popular then! The world has changed Sweltered and it is now a lot easier for people to express their opinions in public! However, as the recent posts on another proposed wind farm in the Kintyre shows its also easier for those with no connection to an area to get involved!

I think having spent 25 years living in Campbeltown entitles me to express an opinion. Obviously you are far more entitled to an opinion, because your partners father's family is from the town. I only have a mother, a sister and a brother who live in the town, not forgetting various cousins aunts and uncles. My grandfather was a chauffuer at Killdalloig House and his family lived in a tied house there. My mother weeded the drive as a child. No, I have only a tenuous link to the town. PLus the fact that I spentmost of my summers at the beach beside Purcells House (if you know where that is! if you don't, ask Morris) or over on Davaar Island.

The first time I can remember seeing the painting, probably 35 years age, not just last year, the painting was barely visable. Since then, I have visited it probably 20 times. I wonder how many people in the town have never seen it, probably most of them.

Are you trying to suggest events before the advent of the web are less important? My point was the cross was defaced, it was the talk of the town for a minute and forgotten.

As usual this is being overblown, and to compare it to a defacing of the cisitine chapel is ludicrous.

[Bruce]

Sweltered, at what point did I ever say that I am more entitled to have an opinion than you? Never as far as I can gather! I answered a simple question and maybe offered a bit more info than you required, but I felt that was relevant! Also, I never said anything about events before the internet came around being less important - however, they definitely were not known about as widespread as they are now! Your response to what I said actually makes no sense and it seems to me that you are trying to imply that anything I have to say (as I do not come from that area) isn't worthwhile!

You obviously don't feel as strongly about what has happened as others do. That is entirely up to you. However, you will not ever stop me from expressing my own opinion on matters that mean something to me! However, I guess that once the painting has been restored it will then become yesterday's news - and if the cross is vandalised in some way again or some other historical artefact in the area (tho hopefully this won't happen!) then they will become the topic of the moment!

[Sweltered]

All these people up in arms about this, when was the last time they actually visited the island.

20th July 2006 - during the 2nd week of my 2 week stay in the Campbeltown area!

However, only ever having seen the Togneri version of the painting for real (and only for the first time last year) I can't really comment on what was there before! However, my partner's dad's family is from the Campbeltown area so I do understand a bit about how the painting is perceived by locals!

As for the cross, I had read that it had been sprayed at one point, but don't recall when this was. However, I get the feeling it may have been before the world wide web existed... or if not, then chances are forums were not that popular then! The world has changed Sweltered and it is now a lot easier for people to express their opinions in public! However, as the recent posts on another proposed wind farm in the Kintyre shows its also easier for those with no connection to an area to get involved!

I guess I didn't make myself clear. The locals are up in arms about something they've seen on a postcard in George Mcmillans, rather than something they have seen first hand. And are attributing far more imprtance than it deserves. Would there be the same outcry if someone defaced one od Ronald Togneri's paintings at the art festival?

[Bruce]

I guess I didn't make myself clear...

You made yourself perfectly clear to me with your earlier response!

Just one thing though, how do you know how many of the locals have only seen the cave painting on a postcard?

[Bobbie En Tejas]

One would run as fast as they can from an area, and another embrace it and be there in a heartbeat. Which opinion has less credence or more? Seems they would both be valid in their way.

I'm not sure defacing can be used in place of destroying. To damage is different than to destroy. If a person destroyed the artist's work, I would hope the townspeople would be up in arms. But there is more than just that involved here.. this piece has been important to the town in one form or the other.. and you have to admit that the trip over isn't like getting in your car and driving 5 miles. A lot of people might be apprehensive about walking over a strip of land that can be very dangerous if they don't do it at the right time or may not be physically able to make the walk for one reason or the other. It doesn't mean it doesn't matter to them. Only one person has the right to unilaterally decide the importance of that piece of work, and that is the person who owns the island, not some ned with a paint can.

[Malky]

not some ned with a paint can.

Ned? Is that a Texas word Bobbie?

Malky

[Bobbie En Tejas]

lol Malky, no, I don't suppose so. But I've been familiar with the term for so long I guess it just seemed the perfect word to use, don't you think?

[Surfbored]

Maybe this 19th century act of vandalism has "morphed" over the years.

And worthwhile piece of art should be a talking point, it should be controversial.

In a strange way, the latest evolution of the cave painting has done exactly that ..... 120ish posts and rising, national media coverage ... WOW

[Bruce]

Would that be the cave painting the locals have seen on a postcard in George Mcmillans?