#127, Censor

Hong Sung-dam's work, the Sewol Owol

After the Sewol incident in April, artist Hong Sung-dam attacked those he believed were responsible by creating the work, Sewol Owol.  His work was criticism of the poor response to the ferry disaster singling out the President and military in particular.  Last month, Mr. Hong entered the Sewol Owol to Korea's most famous international art festival, Gwangju Biennale.  Before it could be shown, Gwangju's leaders ordered the painting be removed from the festival.

“We demanded the exclusion of Mr. Hong’s painting because of its explicit political intention, such as the parodying of the president,” Oh Hyeong-guk, a vice mayor of Gwangju

SOURCE: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/31/world/asia/an-artist-is-rebuked-for-casting-south-koreas-leader-in-an-unflattering-light.html?_r=1

Censorship of artistic expression is a sensitive issue in Korea.  In the past, Korean artists were jailed and even tortured for their political beliefs.  Today, artists are more free to express themselves, but that freedom is not absolute.

To complete this week's Journal response, respond to one of the prompts and comment on one of your peer's responses.  As always, please write 100 words or more.

1. Should the government censor art that is critical of the President or other political figures (e.g., a mayor)?
   • censor v. to examine (a book, movie, etc.), in order to remove things that are considered to be offensive, immoral, or harmful to society
2. What type of art do you believe should be censored?
3. Does censorship make a country better or worse?
4. Comment on one of your peers' responses.

-Brenden Lee Teacher

pace it