Are all freedoms of expression art? Who knows?
By Cathy C. Yamsuan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
1:03 am Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
The debate is far from over: Are all freedoms of expression protected by the Constitution or are there limits? And what are the limits?
Priests and two national artists were on Tuesday unconvinced that freedom of expression could be invoked to defend artist Mideo Cruz’s “shock art,” which has caused a controversy that forced the closure of an exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
“Nothing is obscene in art. There are only bad artists and bad writers,” National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose said at the inquiry conducted by the Senate committee on education, culture and arts.
“The issue here is not freedom of expression [but] art. I saw the photos [of Cruz’s work] and it is not art. The photos illustrate how the artist is immature and juvenile,” Jose said.
National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Asia Imao said he was particularly offended by Cruz’s decision to put a phallic symbol on the forehead of an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“Mabigat… (It’s quite grave). I am a Muslim [yet] I know my religious parameters,” Imao said.
Jose and Imao were among a number of resource persons called to give inputs on the controversy over Cruz’s installation, “Poleteismo.”
The installation and the works of 31 other artists were featured in the exhibit titled “Kulo” at the CCP main gallery until Aug. 5.
Cruz did not attend the hearing.
Sen. Edgardo Angara, the committee chair, later announced that he would not recommend sanctions against the CCP board.
“The officers already said they are reviewing their policies related to exhibits and other public activities. I have already adjourned the hearing,” Angara said.
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