Warhol Foundation Withdraws Support Amid Smithsonian Controversy
Filed under: Art
The often staid Smithsonian has been the site of controversy recently. A video by the late artist David Wojnarowicz was recently removed from the museum's exhibits. The film, "A Fire in My Belly" (1986-87) which depicts an 11-second scene of ants crawling on a crucifix, an image that Wojnarowicz said reflected his experience of being diagnosed with AIDS, came under fire the Catholic League and members of Congress said it was sacrilegious. After the exhibit was taken out earlier this month protesters took to the steps of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery holding up masks of David Wojnarowicz including images of him with his mouth sewn shut.
On Monday, the Andy Warhol Foundation said that it will withhold future funding to the Smithsonian Institution unless the video is restored. The board of the foundation sent a letter to the Smithsonian calling the censorship "unconscionable." Joel Wachs, president of the foundation, wrote that while the Warhol Foundation has been a proud supporter of the current Portrait Gallery exhibit "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," (the exhibit the video was a part of) but that it can't watch the Smithsonian "bow to the demands of bigots who have attacked the exhibition out of ignorance, hatred and fear." The foundation has given $375,000 over the past three years to various Smithsonian museums, including $100,000 to help fund "Hide/Seek."
Museums, galleries and universities around the country are showing the video and the Association of Art Museum Directors has condemned the Smithsonian's removal of the piece. You can find it online as well.
Charlie Sheen Gets Back To His Roots
The List #0147: Escape a Car Underwater
WHOOPS! Obama Makes Big Gaffe
Visit the Maldive Islands Before It's Too Late
Reptiles Make Home in UK Man's Cable Box
That's An Interesting Look, Madge
Springtime Budget-Busters -- Savings Experiment
Is This Woman Too Pretty To Work?
Candid Portraits Of Strippers After Hours
Mariah Carey Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction on Good Morning America
Distraught Mom Becomes Face of Oklahoma Storm
Mariah Carey Curses And Busts Out Of Dress On Live TV
The Story Behind Hairspray
H&M's Plus-Size Model Jennie Runk Says She Chose To Gain Weight
16 Pasta Dishes Worse Than Yours
Amanda Bynes Arrested, Undergoes Psychiatric Evaluation--See the Shocking Mugshot!
AMAZING PHOTO: UFO Spotted Over San Diego
Killed Soldier In London Attack Identified
What It's Like To Talk To A 2-Year-Old
Best Friends Reportedly Die Holding Each Other In Tornado
Luke Wilson Caught Staring At Fan's Chest
Danny Tanner Is Fighting With Topanga
Rapper Accused Of Faking His Own Death To Escape Payments
Jury Foreman: '18 Days Of Testimony Hurt' Jodi Arias
New Trayvon Martin Evidence Features Incriminating Photos, Texts From Teen
Teenager's 'Awww'-Inspiring Drawing Wins Big At Google
Surgeons Remove Giant Hairball From Tiger
LISTEN: Terror Inside Elementary School As Tornado Hits
Brave Woman Stood Down Armed London Attackers
LOOK: Photoshop Mistake Is Seriously Cringeworthy
Jodi Arias Jury DEADLOCKED
Mum-Of-Two Faces Down Woolwich Attack Suspects