What The State Department Can Learn From The Art World

An interesting — and challenging — article appeared today via Artinfo (I can’t tell who the writer is, if anyone does, please let me know) concerning the recent events in Egypt and Libya. The gist? “Governments should not apologize” for free speech.

[T]he government…was wrong.

The point I’m making here should be obvious: we do not, in civilized societies, respond to art works and other forms of expression with violence – no matter how “offensive” we think them.   We respond with discourse. That is what civilization is.  And not only do we not apologize for it; we demand it. At least, the art world does. It’s time for the State Department to do the same.

UPDATE: September 15, 2012

Our good friend and avid Clancco reader, Chris Culy, wrote to us earlier today: “I believe the author of ‘What The State Department Can Learn From The Art World’ is Abigail Esman. It is her picture at the top of the article, and the link to the article that the author wrote is also by her. I’ve been reading your blog for quite awhile, and quite enjoy it.”

Thanks, Chris, we enjoy blogging, too. And thanks for being an avid follower.

Tags: Andres Serrano, Chris Ofili, Christopher Stevens, egypt, Free Speech, Libya, Obama, piss christ, State Department, Theo van Gogh