Tim writes:

>Its amazing how quick people shout censorship on this list.  If I get this
>right  Dial still supports the Museum, but not the flag exhibit.  Its their
>money, they can do what they choose with it.(snip)


Agreed, but then more people on this list are likely to be sensitive to the
censorship issue than on most other lists.  I first heard that Dial had
withdrawn support and was ready to write a letter, but did not in light of
more complete information.

However, the behavior of Dial is a form of passive aggressive coersion, if
not direct censorship.  It suggests to the museum that if, in the future,
they contemplate other controversial exhibitions they might suffer the
consequence of diminished financial support.  Yeah, its their right, but
this warning exerts a powerful influence and, if multiplied unchecked by
hundreds of corporations and museums in similar relationships, undermines
the free flow of ideas through our institutions to the people.  The
critical use of the American flag in art always seems to produce this
ironic and contradictory behavior (especially in election years, which
cranks the irony meter up a few notches).  Old Glory has taken her hits
over the past couple hundred years and is spattered with the good and bad
parts of our history, but still looks pretty great to even this skeptic.
It seems an insult to suggest that this durable symbol of our national
survival  requires protection from the criticisms of a work of art.

Instead of writing Dial, I have written the museum director, congratulating
him and the museum Board on maintaining the integrity of their position.
In the face of criticism and veiled threats from their financial sources,
they need to hear that there is also a strong body of advocacy for their
actions.  You can fax James Ballinger, Director of the Phoenix Art Museum,
at (602) 253-8662, or snail at 1625 N. Central Ave, 85004-1685.


Stephen Nowlin, Vice President
Director, Alyce de Roulet Williamson Gallery
Art Center College of Design
1700 Lida Street
Pasadena, California 91103  USA (818)396-2397vox (818)405-9104fax
[log in to unmask]    http://www.arcenter.edu