Jax Native Tyler Shield's girlfriend destroys $100,000 Birkin Bag for "Art"

[MelMel]

In case you already haven't heard, famous celebrity photographer and Jacksonville native Tyler Shields took a picture of his girlfriend biting, taking a chainsaw to and then burning a $100,000 Birkin Bag for the sake of "art."

Clint Eastwood's daughter and Shield's girlfriend Francesca Eastwood was seen on the new E! reality series "Mrs. Eastwood & Company" hesitating on whether or not to destroy the red genuine-alligator print purse but in the end decided to go through with it.

She should have hesitated longer, because the shock value of the photo itself was nothing compared to the outrage that followed.

Many one-time-fans are now upset at both Shields and Eastwood for destroying such an expensive piece when some do not even earn that amount of money in a year.  They have been called everything from insensitive to "spoiled rich f*ckers who have no clue what it is to make a dollar."

Because of the backlash, Shields told Art Info that he would donate $100,000 to a family in need.  The catch?  Someone has to buy the art first.

Many provocative things throughout history have been done for art, but is this taking it too far?

[Bridges]

She should have hesitated longer, because the shock value of the photo itself was nothing compared to the outrage that followed.

Wait, what?  "The shock value was nothing compared to the shock it created?"  Seems like it worked exactly as planned. 

[MelMel]

Yes, it shocked viewers like Shields had intended, but he was not looking for the amount of outraged that ensued.  Even when we got tons of negative feedback from other controversial pictures, such as Heather Morris with a black eye he has never tried to publicly make up for it by donating money to prove his heart was in the right place.

In his defense, he said the reason behind the shoot was to show that "destruction is a beautiful version of freedom ... " but he seems to have stricken a different nerve within the audience.

[Bridges]

he has never tried to publicly make up for it by donating money to prove his heart was in the right place.

Yes he did.  With the very picture you showed.  He donated proceeds to domestic violence charity. 

I could possibly understand the Morris photo outrage.  But the Birkin bag outrage is ridiculous and serves to make exactly the point he was trying to elicit. 

[Ernest Street]

I found this stunt interesting. The reactions from  women were even more interesting.

First of all..what makes this bag worth $100.000?    It looks like pressed fake alligator skin cow leather,dyed or painted red.
The price is set by people that spend a LOT of money on barrage advertising (Branding)and people either stupidly pay the price and continue this level of materialism.. or get a knock off.
Which leads to if his photos are using a knock off prop.
Anyway, I get it,and LOVED the pics..great work and the colors are superb.
The last pic is the The One to frame!

[MelMel]

Bridges, perhaps I should have looked into his past reactions more, thanks for pointing that fact out. 

And Ernest Street, I assure you the bag is genuine.  Here, Francesca is shown trying to find the perfect outfit to go with the Birkin before she has to part ways with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktR8q_7w0g8&feature=player_detailpage

Whether the reaction from the audience is what Shield's intended, I would still like to hear opinions from those who see these pictures.  Does anyone here find it offensive?  If so, why?

[AshleyLauren]

I understand it's "for the sake of art!" and all the tendency for dramatics that ensue with those that are artfully inclined; however, I think the outrage here is that there is a single bag in this world that costs $100,000, and plenty of people in this country are starving, not to mention the numbers around the world. You stated many don't make this in a year, I would say most do not make that amount in 2-3 years. Personally, for me you have to include the last 5 years for me to barely tip the scales at 100k. I do not know when this was done but I know it was not too long ago and therefore, to answer your question, I would have to say, YES!! It is definitely taking it too far. It is insensitive and degrading to the working and middle class. And to attempt justification by helping ONE family only if his expenses are covered makes it that much more revolting. Do you know how much it could sell for?

While, it is a gorgeous photograph, the colors are magnificent and the idea of beauty amidst chaos is enticing. He could have done it without a bag that expensive, but then again I agree with Ernest Street that how can a handbag even be 100k??

As a fashionista MelMel, do you think he took it too far??? 

[Kortland]

To me, this is just Veblen's conspicuous consumption taken to the logical extreme. The fact that a bag should be priced that high is absurd, and the controversy stirred up by destroying it serves to draw attention to the fact that it wasn't really worth that much in the first place, and might even make people consider what other material things are over-valued in their lives. Outrageous? Perhaps. Justifiable? Certainly.