Art Enthusiast gathering - Reading Selection 6 - Stirring SENSATION: The Intersection of Art and Liberty
A Fresh Perspective on the Brooklyn Museum's Tangle with Mayor Giuliani
Nowadays, it's bout as common as your average Joe blogging about cats. Remember a critique slamming Damien Hirst's $12M shark exhibit, The Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, for looking scarier than Bubbe with her best grill?
Well, this book takes us back to the heated times of a legal squabble between the Brooklyn Art Museum and then-New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani - all in a pre-social media era. Yeah, you read that right, no memes, no Reddit threads, no viral TikToks - just old-school newspapers, radio, and television to hash out the controversy. A word of caution: This isn't a deep dive into your fave YBA artists, Charles Saatchi, or even the pieces from the SENSATION show. If that's your jam, check out Artrage!: The Inside Story of the BritArt Revolution by Elizabeth Fullerton.
But, if you're here for a juicy deep dive into media manipulation, misinformation, and the First Amendment - particularly with respect to art - buckle up! The timing couldn't be more perfect, considering the political and cultural climate was a chaotic mess, much like today, but without constant Facebook feeds filled with fake news and conspiracy theories. Curious about Mayor Giuliani trying to canvas the Brooklyn Museum for exhibiting controversial art? Hop on social media and join the conversation!
Now, let's dive into the thick of it all with Chris Ofili's The Holy Virgin Mary, a piece that's as iconic as it is controversial. Acrylic, oil, polyester resin, paper collage, glitter, map pins, and elephant dung - yeah, you read that right - on canvas. Impressive, huh?
Maybe you've read this book or just stumbled upon our piece, either way, here are some thoughts to ponder:
- What does the constitutional right to freedom of expression truly mean, especially when it comes to the world of art?
- What's the role of media in shaping information? How many articles are based on thorough, well-researched insights rather than sensationalism?
Hopefully, you're feeling inspired enough to share your opinions on social media. Let's chat about rights, freedom, and art!
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A Critic's Review by evlyne Laurin
First waft of SENSATION, and I was hooked! Although a North American native, growing up during this story's prime-time, I hadn't heard a peep about the exhibition. Fascinating, right? Years later, I came across SENSATION in a classroom nestled within a Georgian architecture building. Already familiar with many of the artists featured, including Hirst, Ofili, the Chapman Brothers, Shonibare, Mueck, Quinn, Lucas & Emin - I'd even read Lucky Kunst by Gregory Muir to understand the fallout from Thatcher's Right to Buy. This book certainly doesn't disappoint when it comes to offering fascinating glimpses of the artists behind the works.
However, the most intriguing aspect of SENSATION is how it explores the battle between a museum, the government, and public opinion. The book highlights the seven-month legal slugfest the Brooklyn Museum endured as they fought for their reputation and funding. I admit, I was disappointed to read that funds were diverted towards legal defense rather than art acquisitions. On the flip side, I was warmed by the news of thousands queuing each day to see the exhibition, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, art holds a powerful allure.
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After a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in the art world, Arnold Lehman has proven himself to be a champion of freedom of expression, diversity, social justice, and accessibility. As Director of the Brooklyn Museum and earlier the Baltimore Museum of Art, he oversaw nearly 500 exhibitions. Active in major cultural circles, Lehman currently sits on numerous not-for-profit boards focusing on culture, education, and social justice. With degrees from Johns Hopkins University, Yale University, and Pratt Institute, Lehman has also served on the boards of Legg Mason Funds for 40 years and is a Senior Advisor at Phillips auction house.
[1] SENSATION: A Controversial Exhibition in the Pre-Social Media Era. (n.d.) [Blackwell Reference Online.] Retrieved May 19, 2023, from https://www.blackwellreference.com/source/血
- In the realm of modern media, it's not uncommon to find people expressing diverse opinions on various topics, just like the heated debates on Damien Hirst's exhibit or the legal battle between the Brooklyn Museum and Mayor Giuliani were in the pre-social media era.
- This book, delving into the controversy surrounding SENSATION, offers insights into the constitutional right to freedom of expression, the role of media in shaping information, and the intriguing battle between a museum, the government, and public opinion - topics that remain relevant in today's social media-driven world.
