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Brooklyn College MFA Show Shut Down
UPDATE: June 15, 2006
» PRESS RELEASE: Brooklyn College MFA Students Sue NYC
Brooklyn College students' annual thesis MFA show was scheduled to be open through May 25 th , 2006 at the city-owned Brooklyn War Memorial Building, Cadman Plaza, in downtown Brooklyn. However, in response to a few complaints about the sexual content of several works in the show, Brooklyn Borough Parks Commissioner, Julius Spiegel, closed the exhibition on May 4, 2006, the day after the opening.
NCAC supports the students' demand for the reopening of the exhibition at the original space. City officials should not arbitrarily impose their subjective views on what art is "appropriate" for a city owned space by claiming concern for families and children. A public official who judges an exhibition through the prism of what is "suitable" for children usurps the role of the parent. In the absence of any evidence that a sculpted body part would cause harm to a child, it is up to parents to decide what moral standards they want to teach their children.
As a result of Commissioner Spiegel's hasty intervention, Brooklyn College students would be deprived of the broad and diverse audience that is likely to visit the show in its public location. Public art makes New York a vibrant city - and public art could be challenging and sometimes provocative. City officials should abstain from acting as the guardians of our communal moral standards.
We urge the Department of Parks and Recreation to re-open the doors of the War Memorial building or offer Brooklyn College students another public space to show their work.
For more information on the controversy go to: plancensored.blogspot.com
Resources
To get involved: contact some of the people and news outlets below to voice your opinion:
City officials:
Adrian Benepe, NYC parks commissioner:
email
Tel: (212) 360-1305, Fax: (212) 360-1345
The Arsenal
Central Park
830 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Julius Spiegel, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner:
(718) 965-8920
Litchfield Villa, Prospect Park
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tel: (718) 965-8900. Fax: (718) 965-8989
Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President:
Email
Michael Bloomberg, New York City Mayor:
Mayor's website
Media:
» WNYC News
» NY TIMES Letters To The Editor
» NY POST Letters To The Editor
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