Beware of the blunt fist of art censorship

Bombing of Dresden by the Allied forces of America and British forces in February 1945 left more than 25,000 dead. Months later the Allies were declared 'victors' in a conflict that cost around 80 million lives globally. Eleven young choristers from the famous Kreuzchor were among the colateral damage caused by the bombing on February 13th 1945. As well as this terrible human loss the famous choir also lost its its Neo-Gothic choir school on the Georgplatz, its library of sheet music and archive, and its very raison d'être, the beautiful Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) which dated from the 13th century. In 1948 the cantor of the Kreuzchor Rudolf Mausberger completed his Dresden Requiem, composed as a tribute to the victims of the Allied bombing. 

My presciently-titled 2016 post There are two sides in every war tells the story of Rudolf Mausberger's brave artistic statement. Oscar Wilde wrote in The Soul of Man Under Socialism in 1891:

Upon the other hand, whenever a community or a powerful section of a community, or a government of any kind, attempts to dictate to the artist what he is to do, Art either entirely vanishes, or becomes stereotyped, or degenerates into a low and ignoble form of craft. A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament. Its beauty comes from the fact that the author is what he is. It has nothing to do with the fact that other people want what they want. Indeed, the moment that an artist takes notice of what other people want, and tries to supply the demand, he ceases to be an artist, and becomes a dull or an amusing craftsman, an honest or a dishonest tradesman. He has no further claim to be considered as an artist. 

While Alex Grey wrote in The Mission of Art published in 1998:

Only by their own free choice can artists make a work that serves the world beyond the studio. Conscience must arise from within and become alloyed with creative action. Artists must inquire of themselves, "What will be my Work?" There are no standards to conform to. Artists are free to choose what they wish to do. Autonomous and individual, artists cherish their free condition.....  

The downsizing and potential elimination of the government funded National Endowment for the Arts reveals a fear and cynical misunderstanding of the vital role artists can play in society. Art makes a difference in the overall quality of life and vision enjoyed by any nation. Freedom of expression is one of the rights that makes America great. 

The tiny percentage of the national budget that went towards supporting artists and art programs was a mere token, but was at least a supportive gesture. In order to pay homage to the importance of creativity and vision in human life, countries should allocate funds and secure a place for the arts, as long as the artist's freedom is guaranteed. 

We remember civilizations for their art. Artists will always create, but without encouragement and support from the community, creators can more easily become discouraged and alienated. An attitude of tolerance and respect for diversity should prevail. Artists cannot expect flagrantly disturbing and X-rated art to be publicly funded, but neither should government and society give in to the blunt fist of art censorship that insidiously threatens hard-won freedom of expression.

As Alex Grey tells us, freedom of expression is one of the rights that made America great. But in 2025 plus ça change.


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