2008 Woodie Awards
Artist, student groups allege 'censorship' in covering of exhibit windows
Ryan Hunter
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News
Homburg was nonetheless furious over what he still considers censorship of an essentially harmless show.
Schlegel was not willing to call the curtains censorship, stating that they do nothing to alter the images or prevent access to the exhibit by interested individuals. Homburg disagreed on idealistic grounds, stating that a university was preventing a truly public showing of his exhibit.
"This is a state affiliated college campus where we teach adults, and we shouldn't be stifled by the idealistic views of a few," said Homburg. "Students should be able to expand their horizons; if we can't do it here, then where?"
Homburg stated that the exhibit is a human form study and not a nude study, and that it shows little more nudity than would be found on television.
"Anybody who's seen it knows there's nothing to cover up," said Homburg. "I didn't want this to be sexual, and I damn sure didn't want it to be erotic; I wanted it to be art."
The exhibit does, however, show nudity. In almost every image on display in the gallery both male and female models are completely nude, with some showing clear images of breasts and rear-ends, and others showing what some have deemed 'suggestive' poses. None of the images show other more explicit body parts, however.
"We're definitely not saying it's pornography," said Schlegel. "The last thing we wanted to do was communicate that this exhibit is dirty, because it's not. It's a great and inspiring show. The main issue was respect for parents and their children in the ELC."
Dr. David Adler, political science professor at ISU and an internationally known expert on the Constitution and civil liberties, echoed Schlegel's comments, stating that in his opinion this did not constitute censorship in anyway.
"The fact of the matter is that the photos did disclose certain body parts which could engender controversy," said Adler. "Blocking the windows could be likened to the blocking of adult magazine covers from public view in convenience stores. However, the entire exhibit is tastefully done. [The curtains] were appropriate and a nice way to balance competing concerns of the exhibit, while also protecting children from mature content."
Schlegel was not willing to call the curtains censorship, stating that they do nothing to alter the images or prevent access to the exhibit by interested individuals. Homburg disagreed on idealistic grounds, stating that a university was preventing a truly public showing of his exhibit.
"This is a state affiliated college campus where we teach adults, and we shouldn't be stifled by the idealistic views of a few," said Homburg. "Students should be able to expand their horizons; if we can't do it here, then where?"
Homburg stated that the exhibit is a human form study and not a nude study, and that it shows little more nudity than would be found on television.
"Anybody who's seen it knows there's nothing to cover up," said Homburg. "I didn't want this to be sexual, and I damn sure didn't want it to be erotic; I wanted it to be art."
The exhibit does, however, show nudity. In almost every image on display in the gallery both male and female models are completely nude, with some showing clear images of breasts and rear-ends, and others showing what some have deemed 'suggestive' poses. None of the images show other more explicit body parts, however.
"We're definitely not saying it's pornography," said Schlegel. "The last thing we wanted to do was communicate that this exhibit is dirty, because it's not. It's a great and inspiring show. The main issue was respect for parents and their children in the ELC."
Dr. David Adler, political science professor at ISU and an internationally known expert on the Constitution and civil liberties, echoed Schlegel's comments, stating that in his opinion this did not constitute censorship in anyway.
"The fact of the matter is that the photos did disclose certain body parts which could engender controversy," said Adler. "Blocking the windows could be likened to the blocking of adult magazine covers from public view in convenience stores. However, the entire exhibit is tastefully done. [The curtains] were appropriate and a nice way to balance competing concerns of the exhibit, while also protecting children from mature content."
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