International Biennial of Contemporary Art (Israel)
Date: 2003
Region: Middle East
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Mixed Media
Artist: Various Israeli artists
Confronting Bodies: The Israeli Ministry of Defense
Dates of Action: December, 2003
Location: Jerusalem, Israel
Description of Artwork: Artwork that might "damage the spirit of the site."
The Incident: The 2003's International Biennial of Contemporary Art was held in Jerusalem's Museum of Underground Prisoners, which is owned by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. All participating artists were forced to sign a contract giving the Ministry of Defense the right to "request from the artist to make changes in his/her work," to prevent any work that may "damage the spirit of the event."
Results of Incident: Most of the artists voluntarily signed the agreement. An independent activist organization, The Cultural Front, has placed the clause on their web-page.
Source: www.artfocus.co.il
