What is Freedom? How Much Freedom Can an Artist have?
Have you seen animals doing wonderful art work?
Watch a super video of an elephant painting its self portrait before you get into the freedom of expression fight :)
We do keep reading about freedom of expression and authoritative restrictions, but we do not realize its impact unless we are personally involved in one such fight.
Jan 2008: The Dean has been reinstated. But the debate goes on.
Further Update
The Dean of the University, who was suspended earlier, has now been attacked by 2o people. He was on his way to inaugurate the National Students Film and Design Festival.
Update
I just discovered Plime is the best place for discussions. Check this thread on Plime - Artistic Freedom and Social Wrath
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I have the freedom of speech. Do I have the freedom to shout in somebody's ears? I have the freedom to move my hands and feet. Can I do it to hurt someone?
In a society, who decides what is right and what is wrong? How many of us realize our free expressions could hurt someone's feelings?
Looking at it from another point of view, when my feelings are hurt how do I express it in such a manner that I convey this message to my opponent - "I won't hurt anyone with my freedom of expression and I do not want you to hurt anyone too?"
If I turn violent I will be conveying the message - "I do not value the responsibility that comes with freedom. I don't care if I hurt you".
In such a case I cannot expect my opponent to listen to me.
I need to express I am hurt, I need to ensure that my opponent does not hurt me again, but I need to do it gently, firmly and with authority minus force.
Complicated is it not?
I am presenting a case that happened in M S University, Baroda, Gujarat, India.
An artist hurt the feelings of different religious groups by portraying Goddess Durga, Jesus and 'The Cross' in a way they consider as inappropriate.
The artist has been arrested.
I want you to read the views of two sections of people. Who do you agree with?
Do we have the freedom to say whatever we want?
Should we have the freedom to express ourselves in any way?
What kind of restrictions, most importantly, self imposed restrictions, should artists, writers, etc. impose on themselves?
What would you do in situations like these
- if you were the artist?
- if you were the person whose sentiments are hurt?
Feel free to post comments on my guest book.
Want to Express Your Ideas on Freedom?
Just give it to me straight......
Post your comments here.
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rangoo
An artist has a canvas that goes beyond the world and it should be possible for artists to convey their ideas without hurting anyone's sentiments. Posted January 28, 2008 |
I think it only matters how you look at it. The artist MUST have had a purpose to do something like that. Maybe we could see his reasons and try to understand him. If we can't, then we've just got to accept that not everyone's the same, not everyone's like you and that there are differing opinions out there. We've just got to learn to be open and understanding.
Posted January 28, 2008
Artistic freedom and state power has often come into conflicts. However, when the state assumes that it holds the reins to all kinds of interpretation and is always right, then the problem arises. Similarly, when art claims supreme liberty without any social responsibilities, the problem is more con
Posted June 04, 2007
Everybody has a right to freedom of speech. However, it does not mean you can do or say anything. The overall society has to be kept in mind. The artist can express himself, but he has to see that others' feelings are not hurt. Freedom of express is never absolute. The artists should keep it in mind
Posted May 28, 2007
Society gives freedom to individuals to express thier creative urges. These undertake the form of writing, expressing ideas through symbolism (painting), music and the performing arts.But creative urges cannot hurt the sentiments of society nor artists can claim unbridled freedom.
Posted May 28, 2007
this issued is very adversed affected in our society because freedom is limited with ours underwel(pent) not others ....and daity is prohibated for valgarity and i think Law has passed for freedom of culture and fine arts issed
Posted May 26, 2007
Who are these people, all of a sudden trying their best to curtail an individual creation,art/literature whatever form it comes in.I completely support the Artist.Its His vision,his creation,his work.One can at the most critize another's art since its open to public,but has no right to condemn him.
Posted May 25, 2007
The complex equation of authority-force is very apt. The dean should not have been suspended. the action ends the very premis of university education. If the artist created what and as he did for the consumption of society, it has to be considerate of the target.
Posted May 23, 2007
You can always voice your views for/against anything. You cannot use violence to impose your views on anybody just because you have muscle power. Ours is a democratic country with rights and duties clearly enshrined in our constitution and we have a rule of law to be respected by every citizen
Posted May 22, 2007
See, i take a neutral stand. an artist has his own imagination and innovation to draw or paint.it is not going to hurt anybody. but he wants to exhibit them to the public it is definitely going to hurt the people who have other ideas. but i think people are making it more ugli opposing it.
Posted May 22, 2007
One of the main functions of art is to inspire -- AND to move people to think. Art can challenge my beliefs, and why I hold them. But let's remember the law of karma too -- mean spirited actions that cause suffering will come back to those who created it and that karma will be meted out somehow!
Posted May 22, 2007
im on d ppl's side who r my people n my countymen.india is no doubt ONE country but it bcms vry touchy n fussy asfaras its religions r concerned.as the citizen of india we get freedom to express our views by difrnt difrnt ways but mind well authority cms with responsibilty n v mustnt play wid it.
Posted May 22, 2007
Freedom of Expression and individual space are a must in a democracy. However we should not tread on other people's toes while expressing ourself. An ideal which is held in high reverence rightly or wrongly by a large mass should not be attacked in name of individual's freedom. It's crime under law.
Posted May 21, 2007
I am on the people's side. It has hurt my sentiment to see the paintings of Jesus and Durgama being depicted in such an ugly manner. I am angry at the artist who has conceived it in such a horrific and derogatory manner. I must say that he is not an 'artist' but a filthy animal of the lowest order.
Posted May 21, 2007
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rangoo
Whose side are you? The artist or the people whose sentiments are hurt? Posted May 21, 2007 |
The Absolute Freedom is.....
freedom from our own limitations...
Listen to The People Who Were Hurt.....
A Brief Report on the Recent Incidences At the MSU, Baroda
The Maharaja Sayajirao Universiy of Baroda is amongst the top Universities in the country with very high global repute. The Faculty of Fine Arts is amongst its very best Faculties and is one of the top ranking institutions world-wide in the field of Fine Arts.
On 9 May 2007, the citizens of Vadodara lodged their strong protest at the Faculty of Fine Arts, of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. The protest was against an exhibition displaying a number of artworks deeply hurting the sentiments of Faith and decency of the society at large.
It is noteworthy that during his telephonic conversation with the Vice-Chancellor over this incidence of protest, the then in-charge Dean Professor S. K. Panniker (who is currently suspended from the University Services) also termed these works of art as "objectionable".
The protest was verbal and peaceful. The citizens had come to the Faculty of Fine Arts having read a news item in the Times of India dated 07 May 2007 and Gujarati daily Sandes dated 09 May 2007. These news items mentioned that the Works of Art created by the students of the Faculty as a part of their Annual Examination were open for public display on the 9th May 2007. Such public display has been a tradition. In fact, one of the teachers of the Faculty had sent messages through SMS inviting people to the display at the Faculty of Fine Arts. Thus, the claim in the media that the display was not open for public is untrue.
These citizens noticed that some of the works of Art displayed at the Faculty were highly deplorable.
One of the so-called work of Art was a huge Christian Cross where Lord Jesus Christ was shown with his penis out on the Cross, his palms and feet hanging from the two sides and the bottom of the Cross, respectively. Semen was shown as dropping out of his penis into a real toilet commode placed beneath the Cross. The toilet contained fishes.
Another very large sized painting showed a woman in nude posture. A baby was shown as attempting to come out of the vagina of the women. The picture depicted the women trying to attack the baby with a Trishul. The painting had the words "DURGA MATA" written at the bottom.
Similarly Lord Shiva and Lord Visnhu were also depicted in a highly derogatory manner in other so-called works of Art.
To read about the actions taken go to
The Supporters of The Artist
Listen to The Other Point Of View....
The petition is available at http://www.petitiononline.com/MSUAUTO
That afternoon, Vadodara-based BJP leader Niraj Jain (accused for the 2002 Gujarat carnage by Concerned Citizens Tribunal - Gujarat), stormed into the Faculty premises, accompanied by local police and some accomplices. They manhandled Chandramohan, a final year MA student (and recipient of the Gujarat Lalit Kala Academy Award, 2005-06) who had put up some graphic prints. They accused him of offending their religious sentiments, saying that he had portrayed the goddess Durga in an obscene way. Dr. Shivji Panikkar, the Dean in charge, was also threatened with dire consequences by Niraj Jain and his cohorts.
Subsequently, Chandramohan was arrested and charged under sections 153A, 114, and 295 of the Indian Penal Code for "promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc, committing acts prejudicial to the harmony of the public".
Read the complete email at Review Your Freedom Of Speech.
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