(courtesy SVA)
The current debate over a certain painting in the 2017 Whitney Biennial is, among other things, a clear reminder — as if one were needed — that institutional racism permeates American art museums. To see the syllabi of art schools’ survey courses confirms that the same blind spots afflict our institutions of higher learning, leading to a community that’s not only lacking in a diversity of voices and discourse, but, worse still, frequently oblivious to that lack.
A panel this Wednesday evening, March 29, at the School of Visual Arts, “Erasure by Exclusion: How Art Schools and Institutions Uphold White Supremacy,” will address this topic, with participants identifying how art schools perpetuate the exclusion of the contributions of artists of color. Current student Anastasia Warren and alumna Shellyne Rodriguez will co-moderate the conversation, which will take place between documentarian Robin J. Hayes and artists Tomashi Jackson, Cheryl R. Riley, and Bill Gaskins. Together, they will attempt to identify solutions to loosen the grip of institutional racism.
When: Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30pm
Where: SVA Theatre (333 W 23rd Street, Chelsea, Manhattan)
More info here.
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Seems that Hyperallergic is trying to PRETEND there’s a debate about said painting when there really is no debate. There are the whiner racist fascists who think it should be taken down, and then there is the arts community and those who support the arts who don’t believe someone’s childish complaints are grounds for removing art. The folks who support the art and it’s message are on the right side of this ‘debate’, while the childish complaint folks need to get a therapist and work out their issues with the art. Art doesn’t stop because people whine about it and anytime art gives in to public pressure, it has failed and the art world has failed. Art that generates controversy like this is GREAT ART and should stay up just because of it.