This is a particularly thought-provoking piece. Depictions of the 9/11 attack in art, in movies or on TV have drawn some level of criticism. The use of television footage in the remake of 'The Omen' drew some negative, even angry, responses in the test viewing audience.

The event is obviously still painfully raw in the minds of most people, even those like myself, from other countries. I admit my own initial reaction was one of slight shock - which my logical side then proceeded to observe and analyse! Was this subject suitable for such a seemingly 'trivial' medium as a flip book?

I suppose that's a question for the individual. 20th century art, since Dada-ism and Surrealism, has mined contemporary experiences for sources of inspiration. Pastoral scenes and portraits are passe - much modern art is intended, I believe, to provoke some emotional response from the viewer. This little item certainly achieves that purpose.

I asked Julie, "Is there anybody you would feel uncomfortable sharing the flipbook with?"

After considering for a moment, I realised I would probably be uncomfortable sharing this with most of my friends - then proceeded to do just that! I sent out the web link to friends, asking if they found either the subject or the medium unacceptable. Not surprisingly, there were vastly mixed reactions; more surprising was the depth of emotion in most of the feedback I received. I thank all of my friends for taking the time to consider this question so deeply and providing me with such well thought out replies.

Some of their comments included:

"...the misery behind what happened is not a subject for art in the context of the flip book, but ... if it isn't spoken about we could easily become complacent and forget to be aware ... of what is going on and to be grateful (for) how good our lives are in comparison to others' loss and grief." - Heidi.
"Definitely unacceptable. Why glorify and profit from tragedy? Found the flipbook totally abhorrent." - Elizabeth.
"I quite enjoyed seeing that, perhaps because I am looking at it as a piece of artwork and have been able to disconnect from the reality it is linked with. This is a difficult topic, quite simply as some people will be unable to "dis-connect" from the reality." - Wade.
"After viewing the Flipbook I felt compelled to look up the definition of art. Some of the definitions were (1) the products of human creativity; (2) the creation of beautiful or significant things; (3) a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation; (4) the expression of creativity or imagination. This flipbook is the product of human creativity … showing the creation of a significant thing although ... not a beautiful thing; it ... is the artists expression of creativity. My first reaction to seeing this flipbook was wrong, it is art... by definition at least. (However) ... to me the subject matter is not art - history yes, but not art. To me, art is something beautiful, it is thought provoking and something that I want to keep and look at every day. This subject is all things ugly to me ... it is something that causes me distress on many levels and I struggle with my own feelings ... because it reminds me that I witnessed this event as it happened. My 'art' doesn't force me to re-live negative emotions over and over - that's what my "life" does; my "art" is there to sooth, comfort, restore and uplift. This is not art imitating life - it's a very bad attempt at life trying to be passed off as art. The (flipbook) forces the viewer’s attention within a very … confined boundary ... it takes away from the enormity (of) this event (and its) impact on our world ... This one event has changed daily life for me and everyone I know. To present it in a flipbook is in my opinion an attempt to trivialise and dismiss the huge loss of life... and the impact on the world on a daily basis. So yes, I do think it is unacceptable." - Helen.
"...I am old fashioned when it comes to art and do not believe what this “Artist” does is real art... I would not buy something like this or even consider it art and it is really on the crass side. But isn’t that what some artists want? To be recognised no matter what?"  Marlisa.
"Wow…. Mixed emotions. Whilst cleverly done ... the family and friends of lost loved ones would be quite distraught at turning the incident into a flip card show. Whilst september 11 will never be forgotten the image(s) probably will and ... in the future one would probably think (this is) a green-screen image, not an actual event. Art assimilates emotions in varying different forms but this one is too real." - Janine.

Julie Gormly