***  Haus der Kulturen der Welt: Forum1 Archive  ***
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   [Date]: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 00:28:56 -0500
   [From]: Leandro Katz <leandrok@interport.net>
     [To]: Cultural Exchange via Internet <forum1@hkw.kbx.de>
[Subject]: [forum1] Re: discussion about sensation, NY

Thank you Olu Oguibe for your very clear insights.
To the members of the Forum living in the New York area, here is an
important announcement:
*************
F.R.E.D.
Freedom Rules Every Democracy
Announces
A Town Meeting
Friday evening, November 5, 1999
6:30pm to 8:30pm
The Great Hall
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
7 East 7th Street at 3rd Avenue
New York City

Here's your chance!
On Friday, learn about the many complex issues surrounding our Mayor's
attempt to censor the Brooklyn Museum of Art's "Sensation" exhibition, and
voice your opinions.  This episode has raised critical issues -- from the
concern of "offensive" content presented in publicly funded institutions,
and the largely un-discussed blatant attacks on cultural diversity and
race, to concerns about museum fundraising ethics.

Let's not kid ourselves, this public relations nightmare for the arts is
not just about the Brooklyn Museum -- the implications clearly extend to all
cultural institutions, libraries, parks, public schools and universities.
Just because the Mayor lost this first round of lawsuits, the issue isn't
over. His legal team is likely to appeal and the Mayor will surely launch a
more serious threat on our cultural institutions through budget cuts this
January.  And let's not forget, our Mayor has opened the floodgates for
politicians all over this country to launch a similar attack on public
institutions throughout the country.

Speakers include (list in formation):
Mary D. Dorman, Attorney at Law
Archibald L. Gillies, President, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual
Arts
Bobbie Handman, Executive Director and Sr. VP, People for the American Way
Brian Wallis, Dir. of Exhibitions/Chief Curator, International Center of
Photography
AND OTHERS!

Moderated discussion will be followed by open microphone!
Confronted by increasing political interference with artists and audiences,
a group of individuals from the arts community gathered together in October
1999 to form F.R.E.D. (Freedom Rules Every Democracy).  Our focus
transcends the confines of a single incident to address the broader
implications of
recent events which threaten the First Amendment right to free expression
and to counter affronts to the First Amendment with creative action.
***********************

Leandro Katz
El D’a Que Me Quieras
http://www.frif.com/new99/eldia.html