Artist: GWAR
Confronting Bodies: S. Carolina Police
Date of Action: ?
Specific Location: South Carolina, USA
Description of Artwork: GWAR's stage show.
Description of Incident: GWAR's stage show includes a rubber appendage which the police said was a penis. Oderus (GWAR's lead singer) claims it was a fish.
Results of Incident: ?
Source: Japes Palles (Elmhurst, IL)
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Name: The Plagiarist Suffers
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Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: Europe
Subject: Other
,Explicit Sexuality
,Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Print Journalism
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Artist: THE PLAGIARIST AND WRITING ON THE WALL MAGAZINES
Confronting Bodies: THE UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE AND THE STUDENTS UNION
Date of Action: 1992- 1994
Specific Location: WALLHALL COLLEGE, ALDENHAM HERTS ENGLAND
Description of Artwork: BOTH MAGAZINES ARE STUDENT ENDEAVOURS TO PROMOTE FREE SPEECH
Description of Incident: BOTH MAGAZINES WERE BANNED FOR BEING TOO CRITICAL
Results of Incident: WE WERE STILL ABLE TO SELL OUR COPIES TO BREAK EVEN
Source: I HAVE WRITTEN FOR BOTH (Anonymous)
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Name: Evers, Hans "Identidem"
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Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Explicit Sexuality
Medium: Sculpture
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Artist: Hans Evers
Confronting Bodies: Cambridge, MA City Councilor William Walsh
Date of Action: October-December 1994
Specific Location: Gallery 57, Cambridge City Hall Annex, Cambridge MA
Description of Artwork: An exhibit of selections from a two-year project on gender identity and issues of masculinity by Hans Evers. Work included self-portraits, representations of the arms and legs of the artist's sons, some phallic imagery, and pieces that allude to works by Donald Judd, Jeff Koons, and others. The show was sponsored by the Cambridge Arts Council, which regularly displays the work of local artists in its gallery space, a large foyer surrounded by municipal offices in the City City Hall Annex.
Description of Incident: City Councilor Walsh, a conservative eager to portray himself as guardian of the public morals while awaiting sentencing on 41 counts of bank fraud, ripped two rubber dildos out of their settings in Donald Judd-style boxes, grabbed a cast of a penis, and ran off with all three objects just before the show was to open on October 6. The pieces were returned in time for the opening, but the dildos and their settings sustained about $250 in damage.
Results of Incident: Councilor Walsh and his supporters called for the show to be shut down and for the Arts Council to be investigated. Neither happened, but there was stormy public debate about the incident. The artist filed charges against the City Councilor for malicious destruction of property. At this writing, City Councilor Walsh is due to be arraigned on those charges on December 6.
Source: James D'Entremont (Cambridge, MA) Personal involvement as a leader of the Boston Coalition for Freedom of Expression (BCFE).
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Date Edited: Wednesday, March 6, 2002
Name: Pasolini's "Salo"
[ Edit ]
Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Sexual/Gender Orientation
Medium: Film Video
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Artist: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Confronting Bodies: Cincinnati police
Date of Action: June of 1994
Specific Location: Cincinnati Ohio
Description of Artwork: Pier Paolo Pasonlini's 1975 movie Salo is a brutal depiction of fascism. It resets de Sade's 120 Days of Sodom in Mussolini's Italy and depicts fascists brutalizing teenagers. It is a difficult film to watch, but an important one.
Description of Incident: An undercover policeman rented the video from the Pink Pyramid, a gay/lesbian bookstore, and charged the store with pandering obscenity.
Results of Incident: The case is still before the courts.
Source: Robert B. Chatelle (Cambridge, MA) from News accounts, bookstore manager, bookstore lawyer.
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Name: Bondage, Domination, Submission, Sadism, & Masochism Web Page (censorship)
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Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Nudity
,Sexual/Gender Orientation
Medium: Electronic Media
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Artist: Daniel C. Robbins
Confronting Bodies: Brown University , Computing and Information Services, Computer Science Department
Date of Action: start: Thursday, March 31, 1994, final: Fri, 29 Jul 1994
Specific Location: Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
Description of Artwork: An experimental NCSA Mosaic home page, on the World Wide Web, for those who are interested in Bondage, Domination, Submission, Sadism, and Masochism (hereafter refered to as BDSM). Contained and had links to: Stories, Pictures, Information, Personal Ads. and Creative Projects. These sections in specific carried: STORIES: culled stories from the net about alternative sexual lifestyles and situation. Ranging from consensual stories of married couples tying each other up to non-consensual rape, torture, and murder. PICTURES: gifs sent to me personally and those culled from the net, ranging from catwoman in leather to amatuer and staged acts of BDSM to bodyart INFORMATION: files on: Safe Sex and Health, BDSM, Polyamory, Infantilism, Bestiality, Bodyart, Fashion, Queer Resources, Catalogs, Stores, Books, Events and Localities, Newsgroup discussions, MUDs (Multiple User Dungeons) and misc PERSONALS: links to other sites that maintained online persoanls and an experimental online personal service for the BDSM community. PROJECTS: Included an interactive graphical navigation through a virtual dungeon, information on CyberSM (tm) from Stahl Stenslie, and the illustrated story Bad Samaritan. The statistics for the page were: From 4/20 - 5/13 there were 66938 accessess from 4075 unique places.
Description of Incident: around Thursday, March 31, 1994 I was asked to shut down my page by an administrator at Brown University. I asked if the reason was net traffic, and I was told, no, it was due to the content I was providing. I asked what my options were. I could either quitely shut down or bring it up before the facilities committee who would, in the words of the administrator, certainly shut me down.
Results of Incident: I agreed to shut the page down. I removed the "offensive" material and changed the home page to relate the incident. email of support started flooding in. Some of this mail included offers to host the page from other sites. I took three of these peop
Source: Daniel C. Robbins. I am the creator of the BDSM Home Page.
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Name: Prayer in Oklahoma H.S. Football Games
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Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Religious
Medium: Public Speech
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Artist: The High Schools of Oklahoma
Confronting Bodies: OK State Board of Education, spec. Sandy Garrett, State Superintendent
Date of Action: 1993-Present
Specific Location: Oklahoma
Description of Artwork: Public Student-led Prayer
Description of Incident: Sandy Garrett, state superintendent of Education of Oklahoma sent a letter to Public School Administators prohibiting prayer at sporting events, and High School graduations.
Results of Incident: Christian students protested the ban at many schools. One incident occurred where a prayer was led over a loudspeaker without the school's authorization. Other schools' administrations have chose to ignore the ban on prayer.
Source: Jim Markbury (Newcastle, OK)
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Name: Agencia de Viaje Time Capsule
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Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: Europe
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Public art
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Artist: Agencia de Viaje - international collaborative
Confronting Bodies: Herminio Trigo, Mayor of Cordoba, Spain
Date of Action: June 1992
Specific Location: Cordoba, Spain - along the Avenida de la Confederation, in the southern embankment of the Guadalquivir river between the Roman and New bridges, and across Cordoba's Great Mosque.
Description of Artwork: The Capsula de Tiempo Cordoba, a public time capsule, is an 85 meter long trench filled with 35 tons of liquid tar. The project is an active archeological site that is open to the public in association with Expo ' 92 in Spain. The asphalt matrix is ''an open communications system'' into which any one can deliver a message or object. Described by representatives of the collective , Agencia de Viaje , as a ' 'wishing well,'' its form ''is constructed by those who contribute to its contents.''
Description of Incident: A few days before the scheduled inauguration of the Capsula de Tiempo in Cordoba, construction permits were not granted and the project was rejected to another site by City Hall. After continuous meetings with representatives of the City Hall ( Mayor Trigo never met with Agencia de Viaje ) the project was definitely rejected. Internal conflicts between the regional government ( Junta de Andalucla, sponsor of the project ) and the local authorities were a decisive aspect . The Junta de Andalucia is responsible of preserving the archeological wealth of the region and is in charge of stopping every new urban construction in Cordoba when archeological remains are found. It seems that the city thought that constructing an '' artificial archeological site'' was a joke coming from the Junta. In its own way, the Capsula de Tiempo Cordoba reifies the political aspects of the discussion on preservation versus renovation of our cultural environment. he Junta. In its own way, the Capsula de Tiempo Cordoba reifies the political aspects of the discussion on preservation versus renovation of our cultural environment.
Results of Incident: Like the weather, these unpredictable administrative forces moved the site down river to Sevilla, to the grounds of Expo ' 92, where the project was received. Here, striking a line at the entrance of the 15th Cartujan monastery, lies the Capsula de Tiempo Cordoba, inaugurated with the closing ceremonies of the Universal Exposition. Alive and ready for new archeological writing.
Source: Agencia de Viaje, Sevilla, Spain
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Date Edited: Wednesday, March 6, 2002
Name: Pasolini, Pierpaolo "Rogopag"
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Date: 1951 - 1975
Location: Europe
Subject: Religious
Medium: Film Video
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Artist: Pasolini, Pierpaolo
Confronting Bodies: Italian Commission on film censorship
Date of Action: March 1, 1963 ; in November 1964, the movie was put back into distribution but with some dialog changed and some scenes cut.
Specific Location: Italy
Description of Artwork: 'La ricotta'' , one of the three episodes of the movie ''Rogopag'' ; the other episodes were directed by Godard and by Rossellini - narrates the story of Stracci, a Roman proletarian that works as an extra in a movie where there is represented the crucifixion of Christ. Stracci dies on the cross at the end of the movie. The director in ''La ricotta'', is played by O. Wells.
Description of Incident: The movie was taken out of distribution - accused of, ''offense to the State religion.'' It was the first time that a movie was accused not of '' offense to the audience'', but to the religion. In this way, I feel, the State substituted the Church in the defense of the public morale.
Results of Incident: Pasolini was condemned to 4 months of jail - with an appeal one year later, he was recognized innocent. Nevertheless, to go back into distribution, the movie was cut. The title was changed into ''Laviamoei il cervello'', and some dialogue was changed.
Source: Caterina Borelli, (from the book, '' I Film De Pierpaolo Pasolini'', published by Gremese, written by Luciano De Giusti, second edition, 1985 )
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Name: Constantinides, Kathy Installations
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Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
,Explicit Sexuality
,Sexual/Gender Orientation
Medium: Installation
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Artist: Kathy Constantinides
Confronting Bodies: A. anonymous censors; B. anonymous complainant; C. State Representative Margaret O'Conner
Date of Action: April 23 - Aug. 21, 1990
Specific Location: University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Description of Artwork: A. ''TRANSMISSION - Moving people.'' April 23- May 14,1990. Mixed media; 8' x 12' x 6'. Installation framing AIDS as an epidemic of signification and offering information, resources and free condoms. B. ''Don't Go Too Far Without One.'' Mixed media sampler. 12.75'' x 16.75'' x 1.5''. Element of installation.
Description of Incident: "Early in the exhibition, Gary Smith, the Art Coordinator of the U-M Hospitals, told me that free condoms provided in the installation appeared to be repeatedly disappearing at a rate indicating bulk removal; we assumed this to be a protest action, as he had received several complaints about the installation's forthrightness. He eventually stopped replenishing the basket. During take down of the installation, I noted that someone had tampered with the sampler's hanging device. Smith's assistant revealed that someone had removed it and Smith had subsequently reinstalled it. I was never notified. I inquired of Smith, who stated that a person offended by the sampler had removed it; Smith learned of this and re-hung the sampler ''20 minutes later.'' Smith refused to reveal names of this person or any protester. He agreed to deliver a blind letter , which I wrote to these people. I also wrote a letter to the Hospitals' Executive Director. Gary Smith provided me with a copy of an article about the installation that appeared in a June 30 issue of a ''Family values'' news letter; this had probably inspired the complaint to the representative."
Results of Incident: "In early August, the aide to a state representative called me to inquire if any federal monies had supported my installation, asked her who had complained and explained the intimidating import of her action but got nowhere. I requested that Representative O'Conner herself call me; she did,and I complained about and explained the ramifications of the coercion, again to no real effect. I requested that she send me a letter outlining the situation and making an apology for using the power of her office for intimidation. She sent a brief, entirely unsatisfactory letter."
Source: Kathy Constantinides, Ann Arbor, MI (Material on file: Verbal statements. Telephone calls from State Representative. Letters. Article in ''Washtenaw Family,'' June 1990, Vol. 2, No.4 ( a ''Family values'' newsletter).
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Date Edited: Wednesday, March 6, 2002
Name: Boixados, Maria Dolores Writings
[ Edit ]
Date: 1926 - 1950
,1951 - 1975
Location: Europe
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Literature
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Artist: Boixados, Maria Dolores
Confronting Bodies: Franco Regime
Date of Action: ?
Specific Location: Spain
Description of Artwork: Works of literature
Description of Incident: Inability to get published in Spain while Franco ruled. Censorship of all Boixados' works.
Results of Incident:
Source: Islara Souto, Tallahassee, FL (from Boixados and Spanish press)
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Name: Hussain, Mateen Haircut
[ Edit ]
Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Other
Medium: Public Speech
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Artist: Mateen Hussain
Confronting Bodies: Short Cuts
Date of Action: ?
Specific Location: Illinois
Description of Artwork:
Description of Incident: "They would not cut my hair because I was a muslim. I went into Short Cuts where they told me I had to wait. I proceeded to wait when a caucasian man entered the place and they served him immediately. Neither he or I had an appointment. I protested but to no avail. They said, 'Stop protesting you dirty muslim. You terrorist!!'"
Results of Incident: "The next day, my friends and family went in front of Short Cuts with picket signs and was promptly arrested. As we were being carted away we began to hear low taunts which soon rose to a roar, 'Go home you dirty muslims and take your bombs with you'. I could not do anything only bow my head as my five year old daughter stood on the side crying."
Source: Mateen Hussain
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Date Edited: Wednesday, March 6, 2002
Name: Schneider, Charles Videos
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Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Film Video
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Artist: Charles Schneider
Confronting Bodies: Hollywood Records
Date of Action: ?
Specific Location: Hollywood, CA
Description of Artwork: Music video
Description of Incident: I was directing a music video & was asked to remove certain "offensive" or "subversive" elements - r.e. a shot of gang members grafitting a wall. Big deal. All of Hollywood is a trembling pack of terrified cowards. Down with all forms of censorship!
Results of Incident:
Source: Charles Schneider, Los Angeles, CA
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Name: "Sisiphos" Student Newspaper
[ Edit ]
Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: Europe
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Print Journalism
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Artist: "Sisiphos", a student-run school newspaper
Confronting Bodies: advising teachers and school principal
Date of Action: ?
Specific Location: Munich, Germany
Description of Artwork: "Sisiphos", a student-run school newspaper
Description of Incident: The principal of the school did not want it known, that a student had commited suicide. Many students and some teachers openly expressed their grief and consolances to make up for the lacking article.
Results of Incident: The principal was criticized for not taking an official stand on the issue.
Source: Tara Polzer, Munich
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Name: The Neo-Futurists' Play
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Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Other
Medium: Theatre
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Artist: The Neo-Futurists
Confronting Bodies: Stage Left Theater
Date of Action: 1990's
Specific Location: Chicago, IL
Description of Artwork: The Neo-Futurists' "Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind". A short play involving one of the performers standing on an American flag and saying the pledge of allegiance
Description of Incident: Censored by the hosting theater because they were afraid that the theater would be shut down or a protest would occur.
Results of Incident: The specific piece was pulled from performance only due to the fact that the performer was tired of doing it and not due to the theater's insistence. The end result of this conflict was that the production ("Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind") was moved to another theater.
Source: Greg Allen, The Chicago Reader and WBEZ
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Date Edited: Wednesday, March 6, 2002
Name: THE X-GIRLFRIENDS Billboard
[ Edit ]
Date: 1985 - 1995
Location: North America
Subject: Religious
Medium: Public art
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Artist: THE X-GIRLFRIENDS
Confronting Bodies: Anonymous
Date of Action: 1992
Specific Location: Chicago, IL
Description of Artwork: In 1992, THE X-GIRLFRIENDS displayed a 14'x48' outdoor billboard challenging symbols of mass appeal in a predominately patriarchal society. The five panel broadside juxtaposed images of commercial objects bearing the faces of deceased media idols (Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and John Lennon) against a photograph of a crucifix. The last panel made the bold observation: "One of these things is just like the others... ". The project was sponsored in part by the New Forms Regional Grant, a program administered by Randolph Street Gallery and the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center and funded by the Inter-Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts and The Rockefeller Foundation with additional support from the Illinois Arts Council and Randolph Street Gallery.
Description of Incident: Shortly after its display (after an article in The Chicago Tribune profiled the project), the billboard was vandalized. Red paint had been poured over the image of the crucifix. The annonymous vandal(s) left the following note taped to the back of the billboard. It is addressed to the billboard company Patrick Media. "Dear Patrick: In most instances I would have mailed a polite letter asking you to please review your policies concerning the content of your billboards. In this case I felt that such a civilized gesture would mean almost nothing to a company such as your own. By posting this inflammatory sign you have provoked me into taking action that will prove to be costly and time consuming for both myself and Patrick. I am very angry with you for providing this childish group with a forum for their emotional frustrations. The penalty for this serious error in judgement will be born completely by Patrick. Perhaps the next time that a sniveling bunch of spoiled malcontents approaches you with the intention of renting advertising space for the sole purpose of ridiculing Christianity, you may have second thoughts. If not, then welcome to the wonderful new world that you have helped create by vomiting on every fundamental belief that our society was founded upon. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR UNWARRANTED ATTACKS ON OUR BELIEFS." In an interview with "Artistic License" (WBEZ, Public Radio, Chicago), Kulov, founder of THE X-GIRLFRIENDS commented: "We expected the controversy and although differences of opinion are part of the dialogue we are trying to create, we encourage their manifestations in other ways than physical damage to the artwork. However, as a result of this vandalism, we now have this very feminine symbol of blood poured over the patriarchal image of the crucifix. It is perfect. I wish that we had thought about it ourselves. I do have a pretty good idea of the intentions behind the symbolism of the action. I do feel, though, that it was self-defeating."
Results of Incident: No actions from either side followed. THE X-GIRLFRIENDS and Patrick Media left the billboard on display for 40 more days.
Source: Kulov/THE X-GIRLFRIENDS
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