A quick response to Jillian’s comment on “Elections” post.
Rather than adding to the comments, I am sending this to the Back Page as a “post”, as it addresses questions beyond those in the original, and the issues seem relevant to a few conversations at the moment.
Recently I was asked why ...the Space Between… was to take place in Mann Street and not at Erina shopping mall “where the people are”. The question raised issues that will be examined in the course of the project, but what I forgot to say upfront was that Erina is private space, Mann Street is public and civic space that includes private uses.
One of the problems with the closing of “Changeling” was that there was a perception that The Gosford Regional Gallery was being treated more as a private space, controlled by individuals unknown (certainly not “us”). I suspect that if Qantas was still owned by the Government (“us”) it would not be so easily banning passengers wearing T-shirts with anti-establishment motifs.
Allen Jasson & T shirt.
The more we sell off the commons – privatise those institutions previously held as public (our “commonwealth”), the greater would seem to be the need for public venues where there can be free and fearless expression of all views. In such circumstances artists can examine through their work our common human condition; our motives, politics, emotions etc.; what it means to be who we think we are, and what is demanded of us if we want to act with responsibility and compassion.
Oppression grows from ignorance, and ignorance is promoted by oppressive regimes – censorship ensures ignorance. We even have a government in Canberra that maintains power by manipulating its own ignorance (babies overboard, weapons of mass destruction, AWB & food for oil).
I do not want to coach politician’s responses to the “Election” post questions, but art culture always has been inextricably part of Enlightenment humanitarian discourse, and, for me, strengthening its role as an arena, an intellectual commons, free from the shackles of ignorance and censorship is vital in an increasingly privatised world.
Jillian, you call for explanations about the Gallery closing. I believe that eO will be writing to Gosford Council with some pertinent questions. I hope we will be able to have their responses on the Back Page.
Neil.