A new/old wave of censorship is sweeping the world like a blight. Art blogs that feature photographers who don’t conform to this harsh standard are under attack from the Taliban's of our country. From John Ashcroft who covered the statue Spirit of Justice because of her exposed breast. To the beaches of Australia where topless sunbathing is under assault by a new prudishness is sweeping the world. But it’s far too late to put that genie back in the bottle even if everyone wanted to.
Our culture is build on the selling of sexual promises real or unspoken, that what’s advertising is all about the promise. We are inundated with provocative images some of them tasteful and some of them not quite. Blogs too are filled with the work of some very fine photographers but also includes lots of wanna be’s. No one is pushing this stuff on you however you have to go looking if you’re interested in finding it. It’s not like some porn purveyors are loading this into your or your children computer while you are surfing for something else.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it is with porn what you seek is what you’ll find. Child pornography is not the primary issue here it is a question of finding art that suits your creative needs. The issue of child pornography is a red herring thrown up as justification for the repression of nude photography in general. It’s a repression of the people and the lifestyles of people who offend those puritanical amongst us. It is the Taliban's way of dealing with the realities of life, if thy eye offends thee pluck it out. That is not the way a truly free society operates in this day and age. People are dying for the freedom to live and let live, the freedom to pursue our way of life unimpeded by the repression of tyrants. Unfortunately in a free society we have to put up with the malcontents and the misfits. That’s what make our society free, a willingness to let two consenting adults do what pleases them as long as no one is hurt or damaged in the process.
The pursuit of happiness is a long cherished right of free men and women everywhere. The pursuit of glorious art bring happiness and joy to the soul of the beholder. For generations artist have been pursuing that elusive quality of nudity that bring joy to the eye and hearts of many. For generations too artist have been persecuted for their art, for their visions and their freedom. That freedom to create come at a high cost for us all. Now we are being called to once more defend the rights of our fellow artist and to stand with them and be counted. It is a right worth defending. It is a freedom too precious to loose to those who wish us to cower in silence. Stand up for your rights and your art before it too late.
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For an artistic read see my friend Chris at his blog: Univers d Artistes
3 comments:
Well said, Michael!
We all agree with you.
As you know, we're living under the shadow of growing censorship in the U.K. I stood up for my rights, I resisted the oppression, and it has brought me nothing but high risk and tremendous heartache. Fighting tooth and nail for your art is all very well, but what if the price is too high?
I agree with you Lin, sometimes the price is too high. Civil disobedience comes with a high cost and that’s what tyrants count on, people have kids or lives. I expect to see a lot of little people get swept up in the regulations before this is over. Little people can’t afford lawyer and defenders willing to go to bat for them. It’s a catch 22 situation. But if we don’t speak up what then?
Michael, can you please tell me, simply and without legalese, exactly what we do not want to post on our blogs or anywhere? This is getting scary!
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