Another CAC show, another controversy
Like Mama Morton says in the movie version of Chicago, "You couldn't buy publicity like that."
The Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati has been famous for controversial exhibits--remember Robert Mapplethorpe? I've only been there once, for the not-so controversial show of Lezley Saar's rap paintings (I still loved it.). Maybe people would have protested if mulatto Nation were shown....:-)
Artist Robert Jelinek is participating in a show with his "State of Sabotage" at the CAC called "Incorporated." He had in his luggage several "fantasy passports" and fake stamps for the exhibit. These were confiscated by a Customs agent. In his statement at the show, Jelinek said "Who would think that the U.S. government has a pronounced interest in contemporary fine art these days? The homeland art obsession goes so far that our luggage and personal items were almost all damaged and all artistic materials were confiscated."
I don't think it was the daring of the art that was being threatened by our government, but that the Custom Agent didn't know what it was. I doubt that they looked very real at all, but by putting this stuff in his checked bag, I really have to say, come on. Wouldn't you have been disappointed if it weren't at least questioned?
(On the other hand, it makes me mad as a citizen that they can take stuff from you bag without you knowing it)
The Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati has been famous for controversial exhibits--remember Robert Mapplethorpe? I've only been there once, for the not-so controversial show of Lezley Saar's rap paintings (I still loved it.). Maybe people would have protested if mulatto Nation were shown....:-)
Artist Robert Jelinek is participating in a show with his "State of Sabotage" at the CAC called "Incorporated." He had in his luggage several "fantasy passports" and fake stamps for the exhibit. These were confiscated by a Customs agent. In his statement at the show, Jelinek said "Who would think that the U.S. government has a pronounced interest in contemporary fine art these days? The homeland art obsession goes so far that our luggage and personal items were almost all damaged and all artistic materials were confiscated."
I don't think it was the daring of the art that was being threatened by our government, but that the Custom Agent didn't know what it was. I doubt that they looked very real at all, but by putting this stuff in his checked bag, I really have to say, come on. Wouldn't you have been disappointed if it weren't at least questioned?
(On the other hand, it makes me mad as a citizen that they can take stuff from you bag without you knowing it)
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