It is most excellent and superb that Google put up a commemorative logo honoring Diego Velasquez! He's the man! Thank you Google!

Google Too Trigger Happy?

I had the same thought when I saw this logo today. But you know, if Google can expand their users' appreciation for art at no expense ($ or performance) then why not? I'm sure I'm not the only one that hadn't heard of this artist before today, and what's the harm in broadening some people's exposure to art?

I love that painting, it made me happy to see it when i went on to Google today. Thanx so much, very beautiful.

I was so excited and surprised to see Las Meninas on the Google logo this morning. It is my favorite painting and love that Google honored Velasquez's birthday!!

You are GR8

Today is the aniversary of the Normandy invasion. I would rather see a scene or painting from that invasion show up on the Google Logo. Lets not forget the men that died for our freedom.

@Dave

It looks like you're doing all the remembering for us.

Let's not forget that on June 6th, 1990, The U.S. District court judge Jose Gonzales ruled that the rap album As Nasty As They Wanna Be by 2 Live Crew violated Florida's obscenity law.

Hopefully it's clear that I meant that for Randy and not Dave.

Sorry about that Dave. My mind was wandering off on what the google logo would look like if they were to have presented something reflecting As Nasty As They Wanna Be. There were just so many choices!

Because I want to see soliders being plucked off like sitting ducks first thing in the morning? The world doesn't revolve around the US.
At least Google is expanding people's minds by having such clickable logos that provide information that would have not been explored otherwise; regardless of if it's greentech, historic painters... or normandy.

I bet there is a bunch of new Diego fans!!

I can see all sides to this discussion but personally, I think it's great that Google is expanding our knowledge on various topics. I look forward to seeing what's going to be next!

beautiful and it's always a good thing to educate the masses. another profound painting by velazquez is "the water seller of seville," my all time favorite painting.
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/V/velazquez/h2o_sell.jpg.html

Educating the masses about art is far better than showcasing war. Normandy was horrific to say the least, but Google does not need a logo to depict it.

D day is important and YES the world does revolve around America! At any rate I was curious what the painting was about and then I recognized the name. Upon investigating I remembered this painter and before you know it I was wasting time looking at the history of Pope X the innocent!

I guess all of you think art is more important than freedom. Let's not forget that not only americans fought in WWII and D-Day but canadians, british, french, and the free world. To showcase some piece of art instead of their sacrifices on our behalf is dishonouring them.

I loved the picture and I agree with Fred as well about D Days importance. I would tone it down though I think the "revolving around America " comment is obviously a sarcastic way of saying why do people always act like it is such a terrible thing to celebrate American history? It is not effronterous to the world--peoples obvious envy is their problem not ours. There are just as many people who know about the good people in America; why vilify? Those who fought on D-Day can ALSO be celebrated.

All,
Putting the art up instead of a D-day tribute is no accident. The Google ideal, it seems is to pretend. They made a choice between the tribute and the painting and the message is that war brings out the worst in poeple. NOTHING IS FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. There is nothing so sacred as life and when someone gives there life up for freedom of their country or the world that is the best in that person. D Day was a rise up not some terrorist action of latter days. Cheers!

art history relates to the world not only to american, french or canadian people so let Velasquez have the google logo for today. many other people and websites will be celebrating Dday so who cares?? america is an important country but we're still just as good as everyone else yes, there is corruption in our nation. yes, we have a dumb president. i mean we're not the best country in the world.. there is no best country in the world!!! so let's just let velasquez have the logo!! it's no big deal!

art history relates to the world not only to american, french or canadian people so let Velasquez have the google logo for today. many other people and websites will be celebrating Dday so who cares?? america is an important country but we're still just as good as everyone else yes, there is corruption in our nation. yes, we have a dumb president. i mean we're not the best country in the world.. there is no best country in the world!!! so let's just let velasquez have the logo!! it's no big deal!

I ment to say:
Who needs to relate. Nationality is important or we should all just be robots kissing each other bums. It was silly to say "let Velasquez have the Google logo." I should have been more carefull to consider those who gave their lives for freedom. God Bless those Young men and Women who should be celibrated not dishonored by being forgotten and replaced by Art history!

Good for you Dianna. I have never seen someone jump so quickly to correct a mistatement.

D- Day's importance far outweighs the birthday of a long dead painter. Google made a choice and they have to live with it but we don't have to be complacent. Always speak out for what is best. Don't be silent or speak ill. Art is important to inspire but nothing is as aweinspiring as those heros who fought for freedom!!!!

fyi google is not only available to americans. it is available to the whole world. what do people in Russia or Australia care about the people who gave the freedom to Americans???

I STAND BY MY FIRST STATEMENT AND I DIDN'T NEED TO CORRECT MYSELF. THAT WAS SOME DUMBASS THAT DOESN'T REALIZE THAT SOLDIERS ARE JUST A TOOL THE GOVERNMETN USES TO WIN A STUPID FIGHT (SENATORS DONT SEND THEIR OWN SPOILED BRATS TO WAR DO THEY??). GOD BLESS THOS POOR SOLDIERS I AGREE.

Diana,

Do you have some split personnality? Make up your mind more carefully before you type.

As for the rest of the world who said they had to care--that is their choice. But if you had the choice between some painter who influenced art and the thousands who gave their life at such a young age well if it is not obvious to you than you are most likely suffering from a lack of judgement.

BEN DO YOU HAVE A MENTAL DISORDER IN WHICH YOU PRETEND TO BE ME TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL BETTER??? i'm all for remembering those who died at such a young age defending their country. but google is a world wide thing. so stop bickering.

BEN DO YOU HAVE A MENTAL DISORDER IN WHICH YOU PRETEND TO BE ME TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL BETTER??? i'm all for remembering those who died at such a young age defending their country. but google is a world wide thing. so stop bickering.

Wow, all in caps? And the fact that you think solders are "tools" just shows your maturity level. Stop allowing yourself to be persueded by the media and television and quick quips. Did you ever think about what would have happened if they did not storm that beach. Diana you just need to get a dose of reality. When that dose comes you will realize what a child you used to be. Until then keep spitting on tradition and buying into the "change gotta have change" bandwagen. Good luck to you.

there is nothing mature about glorifying war.

Diana,

What, are you playing games? I would need your email address to post under your name.
If someone knows how to hack this posting--I doubt it--then sorry but you are barking up the wrong tree.

That was very obtuse...Noone said we were glorifying war just praising those who gave their lives. Please go away.

you know what i've been posting as my email address? kjhdgfh@kjhg.com, kjhdfj@hotmail.com, JGHGJ@hotmail.com and the comments still went through under my name.. liar.

you're totally glorifying war.

I think that Google made a choice and it was the wrong choice. I can see them in their break-out room deciding between several candidates. In the typical fashion they wanted to make "different" choice (bless their hearts). Unfortunately they made the wrong choice. Art is far less important than a historical marker such as D-Day. Purhaps Diana is an artist? Diana probably thinks Maplethorp and his urine dipped cross is artwork as well. I can hear her saying, "art is in the eyes..."

Celebrating D-Day and the men who died there isnt just about AMERICA you freaking morons. I'm so sick of hearing you people complain about America. If D-Day hadnt happened those of you who are european would probably all be under nazi regime, and as for jews.. well we know what would have happened to them. The fact that they would celebrate some freaking artist instead of what happened on the coast of france (and france is not capitalized for a reason) is insulting and ridiculous. france- we have saved your hides many times, and you seem to have forgotten. If you are an American and don't agree, get out of my country. If you are not, don't let your governments accept our assistance anymore. We have improved this world more than any power in history. Anyone who does not see that obviously enjoys being part of the American bashing bandwagon, created by leftist morons. D-Day led to the WHOLE FREE WORLD's freedom, has nothing to do with America... although none of you would be anything without us.

Sara,
Gross, I would have never said something so insipid. Diana is just ignorant to the fact she is programmed and a "tool." I was not picking a fight but if need be I would always choose to fight ignorance. What I would not do is walk around talking about desecrating a cross and calling it artwork!

sara,
i'm not an artist.
& urine dipped crosses?
probably some type of conceptual art but i don't care. I just don't get why a website that people all around the world use should put something that only americans and whoever else was involved in that war can enjoy

MarineVet,

History is important but remember however ironic it may sound it is a fact that those poor Jews suffered after the Americans came. They were caged and not allowed to leave for weeks after being "liberated" by the Americans. War is never pretty; this fact is always left out. Not to detract but it should serve as a reminder war is a messy solution so people are scared of glorification. It is so sad they are so scared they don't realize that war is necessary because of forces out of control. When war is necessary it great to know that there are Men and Woman out there who are willing to lay down their lives to save others.

you guys are a bunch of nationalists.

i agree with you ben but the soldiers aren't the only victims, in fact they're not even the people who are most affected as a result of war. the people of the countries invaded those who died without even signing a contract. they're the victims. they are the ones we should really pray for and remember. i'm not saying soldiers shouldn't be prayed for or remembered. i'm just saying they're not the victims of war and they're not the ones who are most affected by it.

What is wrong with nationalism? It is called Pride in America. Why do you hate so much? Your really lost. If you need help finding your way maybe you should take the time to consider what your views are not those you were programmed to think. It is a sad state that there are so many of you who hate tradition and define Patriotic as Nationalistic. There is no reason to apologize for America so much and worry about the rest of the world. Our citizenry gives more to the world than any other country and yet people like you keep saying "we are so sorry." If you look at the help we get from other countrys and the mutual cooperation you will find it is definately there. America owes as it does give but I will not apologize for seeing the contrived reason for posting a non-traditional picture in the Google webpage--it is POINTED--no accident. It is a statement "Art is more important than heros." Start thinking young lady. It is a hard pill to swallow but you have been programmed to commercials and quick slogans like "change we can believe in." What a joke. You are being manipulated; I just hope you come back to reason someday. My last Good luck!

Benny my boy I could not say it much better. Lets remember not to forget and if you want to learn about art go for it. Just remember the Google homepage art was choosen for a reason. priority should always go to the most important holiday. Diego's birthday--IS THIS REALLY A CELEBRATED HOLIDAY ANYWHERE????

who is saying art is more important? and who is apologizing? not me. i've never said i hate america. i love america. i hate people who are messing america up. what i'm saying comes from me not from a slogan i've never even heard that slogan!!! i'm sure it comes from obama or something but you know what??? he's probably going to be even worse if he even wins cause it's probably gonna be mccain since no white american is gonna vote for a black man (i know you'll all have something to say about this since americans are always pretending they tolerate everyone). there is no solution to what is going on in america right now. this country is deteriorating. change or no change this country is filled with nationalists and traditionalists who don't even want to listen to opposing opinions. what is the point of freedom of speech is no opposing view is even taken into consideration?

I love it! It's so creative, and I love when Google has specialized logos because it makes the day interesting!

what about d-day?

oh well- today is a lot of people's birthday, including my brother-
on the morning news, it was also the anchor's birthday and that woman on the Today Show!

popular day to be born!

If I get the message correct from Diane it seems she is saying it is not about decernment it is about opinion? I don't think that is right. As you examine the reason for substitution (which is what Google did)they took a stand and went with art. Upon examination it is most probable that Google gave D-Day the boot. Who says anything about opinion; it is about objectively stating Google screwed up. They could have picked any other day--just not D-Day. My great uncle died in that war! Screw Google!

discernment

Wow. All of this over a logo design? Guess there are a lot of sensative people out there, huh? I think the logo is a nice piece and has given me a look into a bit of history that I didn't know about. As to the remarks about the so called "programming" of the young lady speaking her mind, I feel a sense of chivelrous duty to come to lend my two cents on her behalf and on behalf of anyone strong enough to express themselves so thoughtfully. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a sense of what is right and what is wrong. We gain these ideas through life experience, which is different for everyone which also means we are all "programmed" to some degree, and so our opinions and ideas tend to differ. It's called perspective. I respect and even mostly agree with the perspective of Diana. Not completely, but mostly. As for Ben and Steve, well I respect your opinions as well, though I mostly disagree with them. I hope you can see your way to respecting my own opinions on this subject.

Thanks again, Google.

it's nice to hear that patrick. thanks.

I want to have sex with you Diana Q.

You are all terrorists if you don't believe that everything revolves around America.. .. AMIDOINRITE?

Google works internationally, like it or not. I am Andalusian as Velazquez, so I am more interested in the painter that a war that did not affect me.

I put my US flag up outside this morning as my simple way to honor the men who gave their lives to drive the Nazis out of France and eventually to defeat. I did expect Google to have a helmet and/or rifle as part of the logo today. I am disappointed in them for not allowing more people to learn about D-Day on its anniversary.

There have been more wars, you know? In Spain we had the Civil War, while the Second World War. No American, no French, no English, not even any Nazi came to help while we starve. What I care a war last when there are wars in the world every day?. Art is beautiful, war is dirty.

so today was the day when the building of the hoover dam began.... yet they have a tribute to the artist marc chagall on the google logo... AMERICA MUST FEEL SO BETRAYED BY GOOGLE, ONCE AGAIN.