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Harper pulls photo exhibit upon Muslim protest
By Michael Puente
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Friday, October 28, 2005
An art exhibit that included photographs of nude Muslim women wearing only a head covering was taken down Thursday afternoon just hours after opening for public viewing at Harper College in Palatine.
Muslim students at the college protested to officials about the pieces on display in Building C.
Several students say the pieces some showing young Muslim men with machine guns were downright offensive.
I think they should rip this down, student Matt George said.
Another student, Hussein Ali, says a number of Muslim students at Harper now are thinking about leaving.
The Muslim students are thinking about boycotting Harper because of this, said Ali, 23, of Schaumburg.
Ahmad Basalat, 21, of Bartlett said the exhibit expressed hatred toward Muslims.
Rich Johnson, co-coordinator of international students at Harper, said the exhibit was an event put on in conjunction with the colleges art department.
The school invited Chicago photographer Amir Normandi to exhibit his works depicting Muslim women in Iran defying the wearing of the jilbab.
Johnson said he thought the exhibit would be an interesting topic because it deals with human rights.
Salma Habed, 20, of Hoffman Estates said some of the pieces continued with the stereotype that Muslim women are oppressed.
We go to school. We have careers. Its not like were oppressed like some people feel for some reason, Habed said.
Before the opening of the exhibit, neither Johnson nor other Harper officials had an opportunity to view the images.
Johnson and school officials ordered the removal or covering of the images until further notice because of the uproar.
It was not the show that we thought we were going to get, Johnson said, adding that he stands by Normandis artistic freedom.
Johnson said the exhibit was to have been included as a part of other events dealing with human rights issues in Iran.
We struck a reasonable compromise that we will temporarily cover the images, Johnson said.
College spokesman Phil Burdick said he understands why the students are offended, but freedom of expression comes into play.
This exhibit is not the type of artwork that the college endorses or advocates, Burdick said. If this exhibit offends the sensibilities of any person or ethnic group, we deeply apologize.
Burdick said the school will convene a meeting with students, the two faculty members involved including Johnson the artist and the college staff.
rtwngAvngr said:But jesus covered with feces IS art. And christians who complain are just neanderthals. Why are we bending over backwards for muslims? And persecuting christians?
Abbey Normal said:Exactly. Christians are told, if we don't like it, we can just look away. And this school exhibit is much less offensive than the Brooklyn Musuem exhibit. To be on par on the offense meter, this exhibit would have to have someone like Mohammad himself covered in feces.
Of course then the both the artist and the Dean of the school would have to go in hiding, for fear of the fatwahs that would be called upon them.
Kathianne said:It's an Illinois school. I'm pretty sure the funding is county and state:
http://www.dailyherald.com/search/printstory.asp?id=111643
Another student, Hussein Ali, says a number of Muslim students at Harper now are thinking about leaving.
The Muslim students are thinking about boycotting Harper because of this, said Ali, 23, of Schaumburg.
Zhukov said:What ever happened to art that inspired emotions other than revulsion and anger? Does anybody make that kind of art anymore?
Artists have always challenged cultural norms and taboos. Controversial art is not a new concept.Zhukov said:What ever happened to art that inspired emotions other than revulsion and anger? Does anybody make that kind of art anymore?
Zhukov said:What ever happened to art that inspired emotions other than revulsion and anger? Does anybody make that kind of art anymore?
But "The School of Athens" has already been painted. Do you really want a world where all artforms are just clones of previous works that conform to your definition of "good?"theim said:That's why art these days sucks. That's why nobody except artists pay attention to it. All they do nowadays is "rebel against the status quo". Well now it's gotten to the point where "rebelling against the status quo" IS the status quo! If these artists really wanted to rebel and shock and apall, they would paint something along the lines of The School of Athens or another...what's the word..."good" peice of art.
I think these are them..."No Veil Required" Photo EssayKathianne said:When I first posted the link, there was access to them.
Did anyone say otherwise?Hagbard Celine said:Artists have always challenged cultural norms and taboos. Controversial art is not a new concept.
Worst art ever.Hagbard Celine said:I think these are them..."No Veil Required" Photo Essay
I agree with you here. The composition, lighting, croppings--everything is wrong with these photos. They are poor in quality. The concept is kinda intriguing though.Zhukov said:Worst art ever.
