This link to a video of an interview with Oliver Stone, Michael Moore and war correspondent Christopher Hedges from the Al Jazeera network was sent via Milan Kohout:
Hollywood and the war machine
Empire examines the symbiotic relationship between the movie industry and the military-industrial complex
"War is hell, but for Hollywood it has been a Godsend, providing the perfect dramatic setting against which courageous heroes win the hearts and minds of the movie going public.
The Pentagon recognises the power of these celluloid dreams and encourages Hollywood to create heroic myths; to rewrite history to suit its own strategy and as a recruiting tool to provide a steady flow of willing young patriots for its wars.
What does Hollywood get out of this 'deal with the devil'? Access to billions of dollars worth of military kit, from helicopters to aircraft carries, enabling filmmakers to make bigger and more spectacular battle scenes, which in turn generate more box office revenue. Providing they accept the Pentagon's advice, even toe the party line and show the US military in a positive light.
So is it a case of art imitating life, or a sinister force using art to influence life and death - and the public perception of both?
Empire will examine Hollywood, the Pentagon, and war.
Joining us as guests: Oliver Stone, the eight times Academy Award-winning filmmaker; Michael Moore, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker; and Christopher Hedges, an author and the former Middle East bureau chief of the New York Times.
Our interviewees this week are: Phil Strub, US Department of Defense Film Liaison Unit; Julian Barnes, Pentagon correspondent, LA Times; David Robb, the author of Operation Hollywood; Prof Klaus Dodds, the author of Screening Terror; Matthew Alford, the author of Reel Power; Prof Melani McAlister, the author of Culture, Media, and US Interests in the Middle East."
http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/empire/2010/12/2010121681345363793.html
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
On Censorship at the Smithsonian - Part 2 [54]
Kathleen McHugh just sent me this press release a few days ago:
http://artistmarketingsalon.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/spaces-exhibits-controversial-david-wojnarowicz-film/
There's a link to an excellent article by Holland Cotter off the New York Times link
(a link from a link from a link):
December 9, 2010, 2:54 pm
Critic’s Notebook: David Wojnarowicz’s ‘A Fire in My Belly’
By HOLLAND COTTER
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/critics-notebook-david-wojnarowiczs-a-fire-in-my-belly/
And here's another article of interest - a retaliation in a sense:
December 13, 2010, 3:18 pm
Warhol Foundation Threatens to End Financing of Smithsonian Exhibitions
By KATE TAYLOR
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/warhol-foundation-threatens-to-end-financing-of-smithsonian-exhibitions/
http://artistmarketingsalon.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/spaces-exhibits-controversial-david-wojnarowicz-film/
There's a link to an excellent article by Holland Cotter off the New York Times link
(a link from a link from a link):
December 9, 2010, 2:54 pm
Critic’s Notebook: David Wojnarowicz’s ‘A Fire in My Belly’
By HOLLAND COTTER
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/critics-notebook-david-wojnarowiczs-a-fire-in-my-belly/
And here's another article of interest - a retaliation in a sense:
December 13, 2010, 3:18 pm
Warhol Foundation Threatens to End Financing of Smithsonian Exhibitions
By KATE TAYLOR
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/warhol-foundation-threatens-to-end-financing-of-smithsonian-exhibitions/
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
On Censorship at the Smithsonian [53]
On December 1st, 2010, World's AIDS Day, the Smithsonian withdrew a video by the artist David Wojnarowicz from the exhibition entitled Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture (publicized as being "America's first major exhibition of gay art") under pressure from the Catholic League and threats of "reviewing" of federal funding for the Smithsonian itself. Note that apparently none of the politicians or religious figures who complained so vehemently actually bothered to visit the exhibition or view the video which was withdrawn.
[JW: If this is not a living example of the Prostitution of Art, I'm not sure what is.]
Below are links to the original exhibit, the actual video and various articles on the fallout of a video being pulled from an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery (part of the Smithsonian) in Washington, DC.
The video which was pulled from the exhibition:
Fire in My Belly by David Wojnarowicz, Diamanda Galas
Exhibition Description @National Portrait Gallery Website:
Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture
October 30 through February 13, 2011
http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/exhhide.html
November 30, 2010
GOP Reps Blast Smithsonian Exhibit Featuring Ant-Covered Jesus on Cross by Todd Starnes
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/30/ant-covered-jesus-exhibition-sparks-call-congressional-probe/
an excerpt from that article which probably explains at least in part why the video was removed from the exhibition:
"Incoming House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he condemned the use of taxpayer money for the exhibit but would not call for the removal of the exhibit.
"American families have a right to expect better from recipients of taxpayer funds in a tough economy," Boehner said. "While the amount of money involved may be small, it’s symbolic of the arrogance Washington routinely applies to thousands of spending decisions involving Americans’ hard-earned money at a time when one in every 10 Americans is out of work and our children’s future is being threatened by debt.
"Smithsonian officials should either acknowledge the mistake and correct it, or be prepared to face tough scrutiny beginning in January when the new majority in the House moves to end the job-killing spending spree in Washington.”"
[JW: Note that the exhibition itself also received major funding from private institutions including the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation]
December 2, 2010
TBD Arts: National Portrait Gallery censorship controversy: Who was David Wojnarowicz?
http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-arts/2010/12/national-portrait-gallery-censorship-controversy-who-was-david-wojnarowicz--5383.html
December 5, 2010
guardian.co.uk: Hide/Seek: Too shocking for America
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/dec/05/hide-seek-gay-art-smithsonian
December 7th, 2010
Dis Magazine Why David Wojnarowicz Matters by Dan Cameron
http://dismagazine.com/blog/11638/why-david-wojnarowicz-matters-by-dan-cameron/
Smithsonian Q&A Regarding the "Hide/Seek" Exhibition
(pdf file downloaded via the National Portrait Gallery Website):
1. Does the Smithsonian stand behind the "Hide/Seek" exhibition or are you going to close the show?
The "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture" exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery is a serious examination of the role sexual identity has played in the creation of modern American portraiture. The Smithsonian Institution stands behind the exhibition, and the show will remain open through the scheduled date of Feb. 13.
2. Why did the Smithsonian make the decision to remove the “Fire in the Belly” video by David Wojnarowicz from the exhibition?
Many people who contacted the Smithsonian and some members of Congress were upset about segments of the four-minute video (optionally accessed by visitors on a small touch screen in the exhibition) because it depicted a crucifix on the ground with ants walking on it. They interpreted the video imagery as anti-Christian. This imagery was part of a surrealistic video collage filmed in Mexico expressing the suffering, marginalization and physical decay of those who were afflicted with AIDS. In the video, Wojnarowicz used religious imagery placing his work firmly in the tradition of art that uses such imagery to universalize human suffering. Smithsonian officials and museum leaders are sensitive to public perceptions of the Institution’s exhibitions. In this case, they believed that the attention to this particular video imagery and the way in which it was being interpreted by many overshadowed the importance and understanding of the entire exhibition. Thus the decision was made to remove the video from the exhibition.
3. Who made the decision?
The Secretary of the Smithsonian, after hearing the opinions and views of the relevant parties, including the Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery Director and the exhibition co-Curator.
4. How do you respond to critics, including the Association of Art Museum Directors, who say that you caved into conservative critics who think it's okay to censor art exhibits in museum?
We respect the AAMD position, and respectfully disagree with their conclusion. As a publicly supported museum, the Smithsonian has an important research and educational mission and needs to be responsive to a large and diverse audience. The change that was made was intended to clear up a misunderstanding, and help focus attention on the central theme of the exhibition, which is portraiture and the representation of gay and lesbian identities in American art.
5. What are you doing to warn visitors who may find the exhibition disturbing?
Acknowledging that some visitors may prefer not to encounter some of the subject matter in the exhibition, signs at both entrances read: “This exhibition contains mature themes.”
6. Why did you remove two protestors who showed the video inside the museum at the entrance to the exhibit? Were these two protestors banned for life by the Smithsonian?
The two people were asked to leave the museum because they were violating Smithsonian policy: They were videotaping in a no-photography area; distributing leaflets; and displaying a placard (iPad) – all of which are prohibited in Smithsonian museums. When the protestors refused to leave, Smithsonian security contacted the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The police did not arrest them. The Metropolitan police issued the protestors a citation (barring notice), which states they are barred from the building for 12 months. The protestors were not banned from the museum for life.
December 14, 2010
email from Nathan who went to see the exhibition:
i went to see the exhibit with G. this past weekend....it was very inspiring. more importantly, a body of work that was highlighted gave a voice to my community which continues to be stifled. the censored pieces remind my community and others of who is in charge and that my community was permitted/granted permission to share their voice. it does not indicate a step in any direction and pushed me to remember that i am not a part of the majority.
also, the cultural attitudes that were propogated in this body of work onto the community by the community was offputting. all gay men (illustrated, photographed, painted) were athletic, muscular and presented an ideal. i did not see fat old ugly men as gay. instead, those were women dressed as those types.
[JW: If this is not a living example of the Prostitution of Art, I'm not sure what is.]
Below are links to the original exhibit, the actual video and various articles on the fallout of a video being pulled from an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery (part of the Smithsonian) in Washington, DC.
The video which was pulled from the exhibition:
Fire in My Belly by David Wojnarowicz, Diamanda Galas
Exhibition Description @National Portrait Gallery Website:
Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture
October 30 through February 13, 2011
http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/exhhide.html
November 30, 2010
GOP Reps Blast Smithsonian Exhibit Featuring Ant-Covered Jesus on Cross by Todd Starnes
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/30/ant-covered-jesus-exhibition-sparks-call-congressional-probe/
an excerpt from that article which probably explains at least in part why the video was removed from the exhibition:
"Incoming House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he condemned the use of taxpayer money for the exhibit but would not call for the removal of the exhibit.
"American families have a right to expect better from recipients of taxpayer funds in a tough economy," Boehner said. "While the amount of money involved may be small, it’s symbolic of the arrogance Washington routinely applies to thousands of spending decisions involving Americans’ hard-earned money at a time when one in every 10 Americans is out of work and our children’s future is being threatened by debt.
"Smithsonian officials should either acknowledge the mistake and correct it, or be prepared to face tough scrutiny beginning in January when the new majority in the House moves to end the job-killing spending spree in Washington.”"
[JW: Note that the exhibition itself also received major funding from private institutions including the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation]
December 2, 2010
TBD Arts: National Portrait Gallery censorship controversy: Who was David Wojnarowicz?
http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-arts/2010/12/national-portrait-gallery-censorship-controversy-who-was-david-wojnarowicz--5383.html
December 5, 2010
guardian.co.uk: Hide/Seek: Too shocking for America
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/dec/05/hide-seek-gay-art-smithsonian
December 7th, 2010
Dis Magazine Why David Wojnarowicz Matters by Dan Cameron
http://dismagazine.com/blog/11638/why-david-wojnarowicz-matters-by-dan-cameron/
Smithsonian Q&A Regarding the "Hide/Seek" Exhibition
(pdf file downloaded via the National Portrait Gallery Website):
1. Does the Smithsonian stand behind the "Hide/Seek" exhibition or are you going to close the show?
The "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture" exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery is a serious examination of the role sexual identity has played in the creation of modern American portraiture. The Smithsonian Institution stands behind the exhibition, and the show will remain open through the scheduled date of Feb. 13.
2. Why did the Smithsonian make the decision to remove the “Fire in the Belly” video by David Wojnarowicz from the exhibition?
Many people who contacted the Smithsonian and some members of Congress were upset about segments of the four-minute video (optionally accessed by visitors on a small touch screen in the exhibition) because it depicted a crucifix on the ground with ants walking on it. They interpreted the video imagery as anti-Christian. This imagery was part of a surrealistic video collage filmed in Mexico expressing the suffering, marginalization and physical decay of those who were afflicted with AIDS. In the video, Wojnarowicz used religious imagery placing his work firmly in the tradition of art that uses such imagery to universalize human suffering. Smithsonian officials and museum leaders are sensitive to public perceptions of the Institution’s exhibitions. In this case, they believed that the attention to this particular video imagery and the way in which it was being interpreted by many overshadowed the importance and understanding of the entire exhibition. Thus the decision was made to remove the video from the exhibition.
3. Who made the decision?
The Secretary of the Smithsonian, after hearing the opinions and views of the relevant parties, including the Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery Director and the exhibition co-Curator.
4. How do you respond to critics, including the Association of Art Museum Directors, who say that you caved into conservative critics who think it's okay to censor art exhibits in museum?
We respect the AAMD position, and respectfully disagree with their conclusion. As a publicly supported museum, the Smithsonian has an important research and educational mission and needs to be responsive to a large and diverse audience. The change that was made was intended to clear up a misunderstanding, and help focus attention on the central theme of the exhibition, which is portraiture and the representation of gay and lesbian identities in American art.
5. What are you doing to warn visitors who may find the exhibition disturbing?
Acknowledging that some visitors may prefer not to encounter some of the subject matter in the exhibition, signs at both entrances read: “This exhibition contains mature themes.”
6. Why did you remove two protestors who showed the video inside the museum at the entrance to the exhibit? Were these two protestors banned for life by the Smithsonian?
The two people were asked to leave the museum because they were violating Smithsonian policy: They were videotaping in a no-photography area; distributing leaflets; and displaying a placard (iPad) – all of which are prohibited in Smithsonian museums. When the protestors refused to leave, Smithsonian security contacted the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The police did not arrest them. The Metropolitan police issued the protestors a citation (barring notice), which states they are barred from the building for 12 months. The protestors were not banned from the museum for life.
December 14, 2010
email from Nathan who went to see the exhibition:
i went to see the exhibit with G. this past weekend....it was very inspiring. more importantly, a body of work that was highlighted gave a voice to my community which continues to be stifled. the censored pieces remind my community and others of who is in charge and that my community was permitted/granted permission to share their voice. it does not indicate a step in any direction and pushed me to remember that i am not a part of the majority.
also, the cultural attitudes that were propogated in this body of work onto the community by the community was offputting. all gay men (illustrated, photographed, painted) were athletic, muscular and presented an ideal. i did not see fat old ugly men as gay. instead, those were women dressed as those types.
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