Artist Shoots Picasso's Guernica

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 19, 2009 – " It  took about 12 hours of non stop shooting to get this painting done right" says Toronto artist Viktor Mitic." Firing live ammunition into a version of  Picasso's Guernica named "Blasted Guernica" is the latest controversial piece by Serbian born, Canadian artist who has shocked the nation by displaying a painting of Jesus  titled "Hole Jesus" done in bullet holes  at Trias Gallery a few months back ."If you would have told me a year or so ago, that  I would be making artwork  by punching holes into my own paintings using automatic rifles and handguns , I would've told you to get your head checked ", Mitic continues. "It was a huge task getting this painting to a firing range and then shooting quite a few thousand rounds of ammo into it to form the outline of the subjects  within the composition".  Picasso's Guernica shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. Mitic on the other hand wanted to amplify the feeling of ultimate loss by shooting holes and leaving burn marks in the composition. "Sounds off gunfire and bullets zooming by the villagers trying to escape death were a reality for them, many have died".  "Blasted Guernica "is the  same size as the original Picasso's painting done in 1937, it measures 349 cm × 776 cm (137.4 in × 305.5 in). It will be on show  at the prestigious  Toronto International Art Fair  (TIAF) at the Metro Convention Center in Toronto,Ontario, October 22-26 2009.