Oh No — is Art not Safe
from Big Brother?
Janet Kuypers
8/30/22
Remembering periods in history
Where it was the artists who were revered,
Leading decadent lives... I wonder
If we artists now feel like we lead
Cushy lives, stuck aloof and aloft in our thoughts —
Too busy showing how life should be
Instead of fretting about how life really is,
Witnessing the oppressive laws against all women,
Say, in Texas, to suppress abortion rights.
For I recently read that a San Antonio
Sculpture was marked with an abortion-rights
Message*, after San Antonio approved
A resolution recognizing abortion rights**
(Keep in mind that this is coming from the state
Most-oppressing women with their laws).
In Dallas, an art fair is donating $50K
Of their proceeds to Planned parenthood***, in
Vehement protest against SB8, the
State law signed by Governor Greg Abbott
To ban all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
It only made sense for the art organization
“To be a loud voice. Any impact
we can make is going to be important.” Other
Artists have joined these campaigns as well,
Strengthening all of our resolves
To do anything we can to support the cause.
Because, I am afraid, I have also read
That because of these new Texas laws,
Even Artwork About Abortion Is Legally Risky Now****
As activists behind a recent installation
About self-managed abortion in Texas
Now must include signs warning of the illegality
Of this in states where this is illegal.
Consider yourself warned.
But haven’t we been, with the
Barrage of laws that have befallen us,
That artists now must include
Warning about them accurately
Conveying the traumas of any step of
Any process so personal?
As art exhibits such as these display
Warning signs in bright orange against a shocking blue
beneath a pair of ominous eyes,
all are all too aware of the ominous
underlying message, the incredulous tone
to the now legal mandates against
Women. Yes, ominous indeed.
Ominous when artists must predicate their work
When the intention of their artwork
Is to “advocate for greater understanding ...
not to recommend or advise that any person”
do anything suggested in this art.
Because who on earth would
Want to act, based on artwork,
Based on things that make you think.
Who would want that.
* https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/
downtown-san-antonio-abortion-rights-sign-17400939.php
** https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/
San-Antonio-abortion-resolution-approved-17346251.php
*** https://artandseek.org/2021/09/07/dallas-art-fair-protests-
texas-abortion-law-by-donating-proceeds-to-planned-parenthood/
**** https://www.vice.com/en/article/4axapj/texas-abortion-art-legality
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