Actually, artists I have talked with feel the museum community has not =
had a
great record on freedom of expression issues. I tended not to agree with
them, but am starting to think I need to reconsider. If all that "art
student-y", provacative work "just went away", where do you think the =
work
representing "previously neglected viewpoints" is going to come from?

Margaret Pezalla

=09
        Over seventy years ago Marcel Duchamp signed a urinal, hung it on the =
wall, and called it art.  During the 1960's and early '70's many artists =
used the flag and other patriotic symbols to protest the Viet Nam war.  =
Ten years ago the Chicago Art Institute exhibited a flag laid on the =
floor in a student exhibition.  To stuff a flag in a urinal and call it =
art at this stage in the process is hardly ignoring "previously =
neglected viewpoints."
        For many artists the museum community has a great record on free speach
=
issues only to the extent they support the work of that artist and the =
art work he or she likes.  Does the role of an art museum mean instantly =
mounting exhibitions reflecting the cause du jour.=20
        It seems to me that the educational component of museums, art museums =
in particular, extends to educating the artists.  We have done a less =
than exemplary job educating the general public about the significance =
of much in modern and post-modern art.  At the same time we have done =
virtually nothing to educate artists and others about the importance of =
symbolism.  Utilizing flags, crosses, or images of Jesus in a work of =
art utilizes the power of those symbols.  Used in a negative way will =
inspire the wrath of the millions of people for whom those symbols are =
there connection to the reality behind the symbol.  While there are =
important and valid reasons to use transgression in an art work, too =
often the symbols are used only to insure an emotional response with =
little or no concern about the resulting fall out.
        If the museum community has a role to play in this kind of art, it may =
be more in the area of discussing symbolism and transgression in art: =
what artists have effectively worked in this arena, what role(s) can it =
play.  Additionally, could museums foster a discussion comparing the =
right of the artist to manipulate these symbols and the right of =
religious, patriotic, or other audiences to value and protect these =
symbols.