David Syndrome

[Merlion]

This is an interesting syndrome.

Art for destruction's sake - it's the David syndrome

"If you thought art galleries were quiet havens of contemplation, think again. Looking at great works of art can inspire a strong, sometimes irresistible urge to destroy, Italian researchers have found.

"Dubbed the "David syndrome", after the statue of the young Hebrew king by Michelangelo, the condition can provoke an overwhelming desire to damage the art being viewed, the psychoanalyst who identified the malady told Reuters.

""It's a range of strong emotions which go from enchantment, through vexation, aggression, a vandalistic impulse, right through to panic attacks," said Graziella Magherini who is leading a group of doctors, psychiatrists and art historians looking into the syndrome. [snip]"

More details in http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L20757093.htm

Other news articles on the same topic can be found at

Art loves go nuts over dishy David
http://abc.net.au/science/news/health/HealthRepublish_1512809.htm

'David syndrome' causes desire to destroy art
http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/11/20/Arts/Davidsyndrome_051120.html

[Blake]

You know it is funny……. sometimes I have had this same overwhelming urge to destroy a work of art, but it has always been because it is NOT a great work of art and not surprisingly, it has always been mine. I don’t know that it has anything to do with sex, death or just a lack of beauty.
Blake

[Merlion]

It is true there is a difference Blake between the two urges to destroy art. One concerns an exquisitely beautiful work of art, and the other is about destroying your own unsatisfactory creations. The latter may be the sign of a perfectionist.

Talking about the former, it may be the same urge to deface beautiful paintings including the Mona Lisa. This has happened many times.

Extending the idea, perhsps it is not the same feeling causing people in some fairgrounds to enjoy bashing up pianos? This helps to vent pant-up fustrations and stress.