What do I do???? Hundreds of people have decorated tiles for this project... most of them showing wonderful talent, great wit, deep thoughts, entertaining personality, and lively spirit. But then there are the exceptions.
One tile in particular is downright offensive. It says, "IRAPE SISTER YOUR." No, I didn't transpose the words or forget a space after the I... that is exactly what he wrote and how he wrote it. There is no design included. So what do I do? Do I include it in the project?
On the one hand, I feel that including it will be as offensive to many who view it as it is to me. I feel it demeans the project and twists what I am trying to say with it. I feel it was not created in the spirit of what was being asked of people; i.e. to decorate a tile that would fit in with one of the four themes of the project: Art, Money, Admiration, and Community. I feel that including it in "my" piece would reflect badly on me.
On the other hand, lots of tiles don't fit any of the four themes. Many are not "artistic." I said that people could decorate tiles and they would be included in the project. I am totally against artistic censorship. and is it really "my" piece?
On the third hand, is this artistic expression or just a prank by an immature person trying to funny or rebellious or outrageous? Are humor, rebellion and outrageousness legitimate components of art? Did I not give people a means to express themselves and be heard?
So, again, what do I do???
Who is the artist on your project -- you or the community? Does the offending tile accomplish ANYTHING except to enrage? Does it add to or take away from the project as a whole? It seems to me that as the artist, you have the right to exclude anything that would take away from teh integrity of the project. Free speech is not always appropriate!
ReplyDeleteFree speech IS always appropriate, but he should probably use his own vehicle for it and not hijack mine.
ReplyDeleteRandy, you're right.
ReplyDeleteEven if it's a community piece, you're still the curator/juror. Lose the tile.
ReplyDelete