"Censored"Mixed media on Canvas
"When injustice becomes right, resistance becomes duty." -Thomas Jefferson-
First of all, I would like to start with a quote from the founding father and third American president, Thomas Jefferson: "When injustice becomes right, resistance becomes duty."
Art should do many things: touch people emotionally, make them think and discuss. It should make rooms more attractive and connect people. But shouldn't it also criticise socio-political systems and actions and point out grievances?
We have found that socio-critical art is not really wanted and we've asked ourselves to what extent censorship takes place in Germany.
In Germany, freedom of censorship is enshrined in the German constitution. (Art. 5, para. 1: "There shall be no censorship").
But how can the silence in the Julian Assange case be explained then? The case was hushed up in the press worldwide or noted as a small side note.
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter are also repeatedly accused of censorship by deleting posts, limiting reach and blocking accounts. We have also had such experiences on various platforms, especially in relation to the Julian Assange case. Posts were deleted and our reach was drastically limited. Talking to many of our subscribers, it was confirmed to us that our posts simply disappear into the vastness of social media.
When social media companies act as aides to the state, it is censorship through the back door. Galleries also prefer to work with artists whose social critique aligns with the opinions of the general public.
And it works: we receive a lot of positive feedback on our work, but it is not meant to be shared publicly for fear of far-reaching consequences in the Julian Assange case.
The photomontage artist John Heartfield once said that his works were perhaps not made to hang in exhibitions. Rather, their purpose was to have an impact on the masses. The place where they belong is the brain of the people.
We at Living-Space-Art will continue to fight for the freedom of Julian Assange, because when politics and law fail, we as artists see our duty in resisting this injustice. Bea & Jan by Living-Space-Art
Painting: “Censored” Mixed media by Bea from Living-Space-Art