Censorship
Censorship
Censorship is a highly controversial topic regarding the arts, controlling the freedom of expression of artists to convey what is deemed acceptable within society. Ai Weiwei falls victim under the power of the regime and the influence of censorship guidelines within China, limiting the display of his art due to the important messages he raises. Andres Serrano has experienced attempted censorship on his provocative image, Piss Christ, and has been attacked for producing offensive art. Censorship aims to conceal certain artworks which clash with the viewpoints of others; however, it should not be enforced as they are confrontational, challenging audiences and act in response to political, social and cultural contexts.
Ai Weiwei is notorious throughout the world for his struggle to rebel against censorship in China in order to reveal the corrupt and unjust system. Weiwei’s investigation into the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan has contributed significantly to the surveillance of his every day life and lead to an 81 day detention.1 He had attempted to retrieve the names of the victims of the disaster and expose the immorality of the government as well as creating works in remembrance of the casualties and as a reminder of the effects of the event, which include Snake Ceiling and Straight. Straight2 is made up of steel reinforcing bars collected from collapsed Sichuan schools which he has bent straight, acknowledging them as well as trying to highlight the metaphor of trying to set things right/straight, which the Chinese government failed to do. The title of the piece reads, “The tragic reality of today is reflected in the true plight of our spiritual existence. We are spineless and cannot stand straight,” communicating the lack of ability and courage to stand up for what we believe in nowadays, which is exactly what Weiwei is trying to achieve and censorship is only averting this. Ai Weiwei continues to be in conflict with China’s communist government who are
Censorship is a highly controversial topic regarding the arts, controlling the freedom of expression of artists to convey what is deemed acceptable within society. Ai Weiwei falls victim under the power of the regime and the influence of censorship guidelines within China, limiting the display of his art due to the important messages he raises. Andres Serrano has experienced attempted censorship on his provocative image, Piss Christ, and has been attacked for producing offensive art. Censorship aims to conceal certain artworks which clash with the viewpoints of others; however, it should not be enforced as they are confrontational, challenging audiences and act in response to political, social and cultural contexts.
Ai Weiwei is notorious throughout the world for his struggle to rebel against censorship in China in order to reveal the corrupt and unjust system. Weiwei’s investigation into the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan has contributed significantly to the surveillance of his every day life and lead to an 81 day detention.1 He had attempted to retrieve the names of the victims of the disaster and expose the immorality of the government as well as creating works in remembrance of the casualties and as a reminder of the effects of the event, which include Snake Ceiling and Straight. Straight2 is made up of steel reinforcing bars collected from collapsed Sichuan schools which he has bent straight, acknowledging them as well as trying to highlight the metaphor of trying to set things right/straight, which the Chinese government failed to do. The title of the piece reads, “The tragic reality of today is reflected in the true plight of our spiritual existence. We are spineless and cannot stand straight,” communicating the lack of ability and courage to stand up for what we believe in nowadays, which is exactly what Weiwei is trying to achieve and censorship is only averting this. Ai Weiwei continues to be in conflict with China’s communist government who are
Bibliography: 1. Clary, Greg. “Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei’s art becomes his messenger”. CNN. CNN, 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 11 Sep. 2014. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/13/us/weiwei-exhibit-washington/ 2. Cumming, Naomi. “Playing with Transgressive Light: Serrano’s ‘Piss Christ’.” Literature & Aesthetics 8 (2011). Print. 3. Galsworthy, John. Censorship and Art. Kessinger Publishing, 2004. Print. 4. Jones, Jonathon. “Andres Serrano’s Piss Christ is the original shock art.” The Guardian. The Guardian, 19 April 2011. Web. 12 Sep 2013. http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/apr/18/andres-serrano-piss-christ-shock 5. Obrist, Hans Ulrich. Ai Weiwei Speaks: with Hans Ulrich Obrist. Penguin UK, 2011. Print. 6. Okafor, Udoka. “Exclusive interview with Andres Serrano, Photographer of ‘Piss Christ’.” Huffpost Arts & Culture. Huffpost Arts & Culture, 4 June 2014. Web. 15 Sep. 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/udoka-okafor/exclusive-interview-with-_18_b_5442141.html 7. Serrano, Andres. Piss Christ. 1987. Photograph. National Gallery of Victoria. 8. Weiwei, Ai. Ai Weiwei’s Blog: Writings. Interviews, and Digital Rants, 2006-2009. MIT Press, 2011. Print. 9. Weiwei, Ai. Ai Weiwei: to live your life in fear is worse than losing your freedom. The Guardian. 21 June 2012. The Guardian. 14 Sep. 2014. Print. 10. Weiwei, Ai. Straight. 2014. Installation. Brooklyn Museum.