Publisher's Files: Opinion critical to dialogue

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

By Mary Grossman

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Some of the most vulgar and outrageous people in the arts and entertainment industry have forged a path for JH Weekly to go about its business: you know, wholesome folks like Larry Flynt, Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern.

In fact, JH Weekly successfully defended a libel suit citing two cases where pornagraphic magazines prevailed. And the controversial nude works of Robert Mapplethorpe and Eric Fischl made it possible for the Art Association to display ceramic vaginas and illustrations of penises on its wall during a recent art exhibit.

A healthy arts scene needs honest criticism, and censuring an art teacher for expressing his opinion (shared by many) regarding art is wrong, let alone something as benign as insisting that an art fair be called a “craft fair.” JH Weekly does not advocate Aaron Wallis's opinion [“Art's fair in love and war,” July 21], but we defend his right to express it without fear or intimidation. (Read “Wallis on ‘leave of absence’ from Artlab” on www.jhweekly.com).

Just as we defend our public editor, Mike Bressler, when he ridicules Wallis in the very same paper.

Free speech is guaranteed against government censure in the U.S. Constitution, but economic intimidation is more disconcerting. We're worried that recent actions and statements by the Art Assoc. and Teton Artlab have already planted the seed of self-censorship in Wallis's head – he has expressed some regret over the “tone” of his article, and we think that censored tone begins the path to censored content.
The Art Association and Artlab should recognize this and stand up for Wallis against the pressure to quiet him. And anyone who wants to retort Wallis's opinion – such as the folks who created signs calling him a schmuck at the Teton Village Art fair – is welcome to write a letter to the editor or guest opinion.

The right to express our opinions freely is critical to our success as a society. Vigorous dialogue leads us to solutions to our challenges, and holds those in power accountable. JHW
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Publisher's Files: Opinion critical to dialogue | Planet JH News Article: Editorial

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