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VIEWPOINTS
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY
Viewers Disagree About
Where to Draw the Line
We've told you about the Against the Tide
exhibit now at Nexus and TULA. We also
told you about The Kiss and Tell Collective's
photo series, "Drawing the Line." If you have
not yet seen both exhibits we urge you to do
so.
The photo printed here seems to be the
most controversial of those included in the
series at Nexus. Below are some of the com
ments that women have written on the wall
around this photo. Remember, the exhibit is
making a direct commentary on the censor
ship of homoeroticism and AIDS information.
In light of this fact a few of the comments are
particularly interesting. Notice, for instance,
the comment that recommends this type of
eroticism be confined to the bedroom. How
many times have lesbians and gay men been
told by straight society "Do whatever you
want to in your bedrooms, just keep it off the
streets"? Also notice the comments that say
this photo is not art because it is violence. No
one seems to be making the same complaint
about the "Hate Crimes" paintings in the
exhibit.
Censorship is censorship, no matter who is
doing it!
-No, no no no no no no no no no
-Must we fantasize about being victims?
Don't we have enough reality to take care of
that need.
-To be on the knife edge of sensation:::::live it
-This is scary and sickening at same time
-This series is the most upsetting to me using
a female figure to represent a man in the act
of what appears to be a rape: If this is meant
to be some kind of a turn on, keep it in the
bedroom. Don't shoot women in the feet by
showing the victim who is being raped by a
"man" in the throws of ecstasy
-Do you really think men are the only ones
who have sado-masochistic tendencies?
Grow up!
-Why do you assume she represents a man?
Men have been imposed on these photos by
too many women viewers
-Not one bit sexy, see a therapist baby
-Yuk get this outta here
-Maybe a fantasy role-play enjoyed by some
women—doesn't have to represent all women
or even reality
-No, of course women don't want to be raped,
but exploring sexuality—without boundaries
imposed by polite society—means playing
with danger. In some ways S&M sex among
lesbians can be seen as affirming our woman
hood, not absorbing the violence around us,
because it is done with consent.
(with arrows to previous statement)
-Yes!! -No!!
-Yes-if this is happening between two women
who have communicated before-hand, are
communicating during the act, know each
other's fears and limitations, this can be very
affirming and liberating and empowering for
both
-This is where I start to draw the line. I hate
these images—it represents for me all the bad
things society has handed women's sexuality.
I am glad that it is my choice to look or walk
away.
-To me this is a male myth of what women
want or more to the point what they deserve.
-Yes (with arrow to above)
-To me this is an example of the eroticism of
fear involved in sexual play—Play games like
this only with someone you trust, who loves
you!
-This series of photos is depicting a different
kind of passion-anger. Even though it looks
staged-it does happen. Only the individuals
involved should feel free enough to "draw
their own lines” in their sexuality.
-Fear is erotic—but play safe with women you
trust!
-This concept is both disturbing and
"unhealthy." Women [symbols] may learn
this as "victims." -(arrow to above) It
becomes disturbing when the inherent notion
of humiliation of the feminine which has been
an ever-present component of pornography to
date-become fetishized, internalized by its
victims and played out for us as viewers.
-I agree. The stuff below is bullshit-violence
"affirms" our womanhood??? Gimme a
break-the boys have taught you gals well!!!
(And what is this "play" shit??!!)
-We're not a little repressed, are we? Think of
it as: sex as a first amendment issue.
-I think you're oversimplifying!
Evett Bennett
Men at the exhibit are invited to write their
comments about "Drawing the Line" in a
book; here are a few of those comments.
-So many "all men" comments on the wall.
As if all men were straight. Funny, being
here, to a gay man.
-The art for me is ruined by the politics
involved. I am a man—a gay man and would
like to write on the wall. 'If this was a MEN
ONLY exhibit-we would get hell for being
sexist, if women do it, suddenly it’s OK'-well,
it pisses me off.
-I understand your desire to have the wall
space as women's comments only. It is only
natural considering the abuses and over
whelming oppression. But some of the com
ments hurt my feelings. I am a heterosexual
male, and married with a child. My mother is
a lesbian.. .1 just am hurt by the depiction (in
the comments on the wall)-of males (all
males) as hateful and oppressive...
Against the Tide remains on exhibit
through Nov. 23. The exhibit at TULA (75
Bennett Street) is open 11a.m.—5p.m.,
Thurs-Sat. Call 351-3551. The Nexus ehibit
(57 Forsyth St. in the Healey Building) is
open 11 a.m.—5p.m., Mon-Fri. The Exhibit
will also be open 11—5 on Sat. Nov. 17; a
panel discussion on censorship will also be
held that day at 1p.m. For info 688-2500 .
Yea Team
Dear Southern Voice
On behalf of Nexus Contemporary Art
Center, SAME, Seven Stages and The TULA
Foundation, I want to thank both the commu
nity and Southern Voice for its support of
"Against The Tide." Through contributions
of interested individuals and through the
overwhelming response to our performance
event featuring Tim Miller, Jim
Chappeleaux, and Jim Grimsley, we have
been able to fund entirely the exhibition
"Against the Tide: The Homoerotic Image in
the Age of Censorship and Aids."
Our success suggests that the arts can
depend on the community it serves for sup
port, and that we can continue to present
important visual and performing arts without
restriction. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Louise E. Shaw, Executive Director
Nexus Contemporary Art Center
Wake Up and
Sniff the...
Editor,
Get serious. On the spur of ihe moment, at a
concert, some entertainer says she'll submit to
an interview later. When it comes down to
actual talking-with-gay/lesbian-newspaper
time, and the paper in question is published in
the conservative South, her higher instincts
take over. Speaking through (as you delicately
put it) "her management team," the singer
decrees that she now only does it for major
dailies. Upshot? Southern Voice gives her a
full page and a picture anyhow.
Wake up and smell the bullshit from this
creature and her kind. Rich is what they want
to be.
Elliott Mackle
The Windy City Times, where the interview
in question originally appeared, is a gay I les
bian paper.—Ed.
Rally 'Round
the Rage
Editor:
Congratulations to Treble Yell for saying
out loud what most of my friends have been
whispering for some time. The Names
Project Quilt is a wonderful testament to our
losses and to the loving concern with which
many have responded. As an expression of
grief it is without parallel.
But it's time to get over our grief and get
on with some action. The Quilt should either
be turned into a rallying point for our rage or
it should be enshrined in a permanent hall.
William Alfredson
Help Stop
the Murder
Open letter to
Howard Walter/New Order owner
What in the hell is your problem and
what's up with the B.O.A.'s attitudes. You
constantly keep coming up with lame excus
es why you won't join the Miller-Marlboro
boycott, yet you haven't said why you are
supporting Helms and causing the death of
thousands of PWAs, why you support cen
sorship, and why you are anti-choice. I say
this because you are supporting this "self-
gloried" senator by selling these products.
Mr. Walters you say, and I quote, "We
believe that boycotts are an individual choice
and must be implemented on a personal
level," but have you made any attempt to
educate your customers or are you yourself
not educated enough on this man and his
genocide to PWAs. I appeal to you, check
with the bars and restaurants that are in the
boycott, you will find that they are not losing
customers and are not losing money. Help
stop the murder of our people.
Signed,
Brad Harden
MarMI©**
fl "NOTHING COULP BE FINER THMi TO BE IN CAROLINA IN TUB M0-ORNIN6.L."-0
8
Southern Voice/November 8, 1990