Well they've finally done it. After much discussion and unnecessary drama I've officially been censored by Goshen College via the art department. I can't say I didn't see it coming, but there was a small, small part of me that hoped they would pull through. Alas, graduation weekend and the infamous constituency ultimately posed too great of a problem when my nude silhouettes got involved.
Ironically enough, the underlying theme of my final project was the fact that women throughout history (especially biblical women, my chosen subject matter) have been silenced and have been unable to tell their own stories. I attempted to explain this in my meeting, and I think they understood it well enough, but apparently it still doesn't overshadow the fact that someone's grandmother walking through the Leaf Raker (where the show would have been) might be offended by a naked woman holding a sword (or what have you). I was initially frustrated mainly with the art department, with the people that were supposed to support my creative endeavors and help me grow, but my anger has since shifted to the general fact that this is even happening. After a long discussion with one of my profs, I'm not really holding it against the art department, because I think they would honestly like me to be able to do whatever I want. It's just another brilliant example of how far we still have to go (we=the Mennonite church, people in general, etc etc etc) before we reach a place where we are truly comfortable with ourselves and others.
My first impulse was to say fuck you and put up empty frames with quotes about censorship, but upon a bit more thought I decided this was more a creative speed bump, a beautiful illustration of what I'm trying to make a point about, and a good opportunity to further my message. So, I matted quotes about censorship and women and silence and any number of things that would get people thinking but that also still fit with the project in terms of display. They did so graciously allow me to put up the one image that is clothed, so the quotes are surrounding that piece, and there's a note alluding to the rest of the series in the art building (their alternative space option). I'm still fairly frustrated but I suppose this is a good lesson in picking your battles and being aware of who you're working with.
I guess this is just a good reminder that it's time to get out of here, that wasting my energy on conservative Mennonites is fairly unproductive, and that all of this is really neither here nor there because the first nude silhouette I did (gold background, crazy halo) got accepted into the juried student show that goes in the actual gallery, so really I win in the end.
1 comment:
To have aroused such emotion and caused people to ban you should be considered a victory unto itself.
Good job
I haven't been banned yet, only red flagged and forced to go under ground in my dealings, so I am inspired. I can't really even understand how an art department can be freaked out about nudes as it is the oldest reference in art there is. Kinda ridiculous, so they should be kicked in the ass and made to look at their priorities by things such as this. You are doing them a favor by making them think about what the hell they are doing.
Anyways, I do really like your pics. I like it when they are 95 percent silhouette and 5 percent light on the body to give hints of the person. I would like to see what you said explaining them not having gotten the reference to biblical characters or their plights. I would like very much to see what you put up instead of the pieces to see how you revolted against your ban. What the quotes were, and how the people reacted to them. Did it cause a ruckus for lots of students and the viewers, or just go under the rug.
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