Art Censorship
Art Censorship
What is censorship? Many have asked this question and it seems to be a controlled idea or form of sorts of information within a society. Censorship has been a staple of many countries throughout history, especially United States. Through the inspection of art, books, films, radio, music and television programs and news reports for the purpose of suppressing or altering ideas found to be offensive or objectionable that is how censorship is controlled. Normally, art is just viewed as sculpture or paintings, but, on a larger scale, art is also music and literature. A major issue in the United States is censorship, and we need to take notice right away.
How did the arts censorship issues in the United States come about? It is very vital to note that censorship had nothing to do with the artists themselves. Rather it was a religious, class, moral and political clash. The simple issue was whether government funds should be allowed for works of art that some people find offensive or objectionable. Any federal program will end up with the lowest common denominator test for public support if one gives a veto right in a society like ours. It is very hard to imagine anything that would not offend someone in a diverse society like ours.
The United States government should not just deem selected art necessary and support it by its funds; it should in fact fund it all. If a political leader does not like an exhibit the government should not simply cut an entire museum from funding. Artists should be free to display their art and make whatever they want. The censorship should come directly from the society, viewers or art community itself. “The democratic philosophy is based on man 's presumed ability to reason, to decide for himself in his own best interest… Censorship represents the complete denial of all of these, and is, therefore, both anti-democratic and pro-totalitarian” (Oboler, 1974).
Moods and feelings make art what it is, both bad and good ones, so
What is censorship? Many have asked this question and it seems to be a controlled idea or form of sorts of information within a society. Censorship has been a staple of many countries throughout history, especially United States. Through the inspection of art, books, films, radio, music and television programs and news reports for the purpose of suppressing or altering ideas found to be offensive or objectionable that is how censorship is controlled. Normally, art is just viewed as sculpture or paintings, but, on a larger scale, art is also music and literature. A major issue in the United States is censorship, and we need to take notice right away.
How did the arts censorship issues in the United States come about? It is very vital to note that censorship had nothing to do with the artists themselves. Rather it was a religious, class, moral and political clash. The simple issue was whether government funds should be allowed for works of art that some people find offensive or objectionable. Any federal program will end up with the lowest common denominator test for public support if one gives a veto right in a society like ours. It is very hard to imagine anything that would not offend someone in a diverse society like ours.
The United States government should not just deem selected art necessary and support it by its funds; it should in fact fund it all. If a political leader does not like an exhibit the government should not simply cut an entire museum from funding. Artists should be free to display their art and make whatever they want. The censorship should come directly from the society, viewers or art community itself. “The democratic philosophy is based on man 's presumed ability to reason, to decide for himself in his own best interest… Censorship represents the complete denial of all of these, and is, therefore, both anti-democratic and pro-totalitarian” (Oboler, 1974).
Moods and feelings make art what it is, both bad and good ones, so
Cited: Steve, Miller. "Censorship in arts 'healthy, ' Boone says." Washington Times, The (DC) n.d.: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. DAVID, SHARP. "Federal Judge Sides With Maine Governor Over Removal Of Labour Mural." Canadian Press, The (n.d.): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. Clementine, Ford. "Nothing childlike about nude poses." Sunday Mail (Adelaide) n.d.: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. Santa Fe New, Mexican. "Santuario 's Censorship Is Exercise Of Rights." Santa Fe New Mexican (2000): 7-1. Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. Johnny Clegg, 1998: Artists on Music Censorship http://www.freemuse.org/04artist.html (November 7, 2002) Mary E Marcuse, Herbert, 1978: The Aesthetic Dimension: Toward a Critique of Marxist Aesthetics. Boston: Beacon Oboler, Eli M., 1974: The Fear of the Word: Censorship and Sex. Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press, Inc. Flanagan, Bill, 1990: "Radio moo-ves to Ban Anti-beef Lang are Un-American." Billboard Magazine Vol. 102