Should President Obama say something in support of artist Ai Weiwei in China?

Should President Obama say something in support of artist Ai Weiwei in China?

If you follow art news online you have likely heard about the arrest of Ai Weiwei in China. A handful of politicians, mostly from Germany, have spoken in support of Ai Weiwei-- demanding his release. As it stands there has been little information released about Ai Weiwei from Chinese authorities. All that is known is that he is being held-- and many fear that he may meet the same fate that so many creative individuals before him have met under the oppressive Chinese government. When I read the opinions about Weiwei-- and the list of those supporting his release-- it forces me to ask… what stance does President Obama have on the issue? I for one think that he should make his opinion known.

When I mention this people tend to respond with a variant of, "He is busy with an economic meltdown"-- to me that is an excuse. After all, if President Obama can make basketball predictions and other comments about sports during an economic crisis I’m fairly certain that he can manage to make a statement in support of Ai Weiwei and the global art community. It is the perfect opportunity for him to live up to some of the things he said about the power of art during his historic presidential campaign.

I would like to see President Obama stand up for art worldwide. Many within the art community voted for him because they thought he would be pro-art in general. I don't think anyone can deny the support Obama received from artists during his run for office. There is a debt due in my opinion-- a debt to the art community in the United States as well as to artists worldwide.

I don't think President Obama’s support will magically make things in China better for visual artists-- but the impact of his words would hit harder than anything said by art critics and others who have shown support for Ai Weiwei. Mr. President-- I’m asking YOU to make a stand.

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin

The Hypocrisy of Our Times: Political Rhetoric fuels opinions against Political Rhetoric and Gives Strength to Censorship

The Hypocrisy of Our Times: Political Rhetoric fuels opinions against Political Rhetoric and Gives Strength to Censorship

I try my best to stay out of politics-- sometimes it can be very hard to do… Especially when art writers that I know tap into stories that spark national outcry in order to twist the story in a manner that promotes their own political views. That said, the recent tragedy in Arizona has revealed the hypocrisy that is crippling our nation as a whole. What could be used as common ground to discuss the importance of supporting mental health, community, and personal responsibility is instead being used to point fingers of political blame.

Should the Director of LA MOCA, Jeffrey Deitch, resign or be fired?

An anonymous street artist supports Blu while challenging the authority of Jeffrey Deitch

Should the Director of LA MOCA, Jeffrey Deitch, resign or be fired?

There has been a steady flow of debate concerning Jeffrey Deitch’s decision to whitewash a mural outside of LA MOCA. The commissioned mural was destroyed before being finished due to concerns that it would cause public outrage. Deitch felt the theme of the mural would be considered insensitive since the location was near a Veterans Affairs hospital and a war memorial to Japanese-American soldiers. However, no complaints were made to warrant consideration of the murals destruction-- apparently Deitch was taking a preemptive strike to ward of controversy. Deitch has stated that his decision was a “curatorial choice” and should not be confused with an act of censorship. Needless to say, many-- especially in the street artist community-- disagree with Deitch on this issue.

Brian Sherwin: Art writer to be feared? Thoughts on public funded art exhibits…

Brian Sherwin: Art writer to be feared? Thoughts on public funded art exhibits…

It has come to my attention that certain individuals within the professional mainstream art world are wary of my opinions concerning the state of the art world today-- mainly my suggestion that public funded art exhibit spaces should have to explore a number of opposing social and political themes in order to continue receiving public funding. I'm not going to make a name-dropping game out of this-- these people know who they are and how to reach me if they want to pursue a direct debate on the issue. That said, I do wish to explore the matter and defend my opinion.

My suggestion is very liberal at heart-- in that I think the public would be best served by being introduced to a number of viewpoints in a visual manner based on common themes from both sides of the social and political fence as reflected in the core of national debates on key issues. To me that is balance-- and I fail to see why anyone who truly supports art would oppose my position unless their own social and political view comes before art in general and are already being served by the state of public funded art exhibits today.

Art Censorship 2010: The reaction to censorship is not always cut from the same cloth.

Art Censorship 2010: The reaction to censorship is not always cut from the same cloth.

Art censorship-- specifically within an art exhibit setting, has been a hot issue as 2010 draws to a close. What interests me most about the recent surge of censorship is the fact that so many individuals are exploring it on political lines-- while contradicting themselves at the same time by lack of action in other situations. I suggest that these individuals are contradicting themselves because they should be just as angry at any form of artistic censorship no matter the political motivations if in fact they are truly supportive of artistic freedom.

Brian Sherwin on Art, Politics, and Censorship

Brian Sherwin on Art and Politics, and Censorship:

Last night I was involved in an online debate concerning censorship and art. I’m not going to drop names of who was involved because honestly I don’t care to argue with said individuals again. That said, I will say that it involved a notable art critic and a few artists. Needless to say, the debate ended up very heated-- mainly due to the fact that my personal faith was targeted by an artist whom, though I did not realize it at the time, I’ve clashed with before due to his bigotry against Christianity in general. Unfortunately, I feel that others involved with the debate missed what I was saying altogether due to that.