Watch On Censorship: Diary

Art Censorship: the Bigger Picture

presented by Watch On Censorship in association with NAVA and proudly supported by Frankel Lawyers

at: the Foundation Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), 140 George Street, Sydney

when: Thursday 12th June 2008, 6-8pm

The forum was recorded, and can now be viewed coutesy of The Monthly.

The evening's proceedings were introduced by Margaret Pomeranz, ABC TV film critic and President of Watch on Censorship. The discussions were chaired by David Marr, lawyer, writer and journalist and Vice President of Watch on Censorship.

Panel Speakers

Ian Howard is an artist, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, University of NSW and Chair of the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA). He provided an artist's perspective about his experience in testing the boundaries in relation to militarism and national security, self censorship, and the vagaries of audience interpretation.

Tony Bond is the Assistant Director of the Art Gallery of NSW and Head Curator International. He offered the gallery perspective on art censorship discussing galleries as 'special' places, curatorial decision making, tools used to deal with the risk of sensationalisation of sensitive subject matter, and dealing with complaints and threats.

Hetty Johnston, is Executive Director and founder of Bravehearts Inc. which aims to engender child sexual assault prevention and protection strategies, advocate for understanding, promote increased education and research, and provide healing and support. Ms Johnston gave her views on the boundaries of public tolerance in relation to art and protection of the child.

Julian Burnside QC, is a barrister, writer and President of Liberty Victoria, has acted pro bono in many human rights cases and is passionate about the arts. He elaborated the law in relation to art censorship and how it is exercised, including the complexities of 'intention', 'context', 'reasonableness', public attitudes, protecting human rights and freedom of expression.

Clive Hamilton, is a prolific writer and public commentator and immediate past Executive Director of The Australia Institute. He commented on community standards and public moral codes, and the limits to freedom of expression.

Diary

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