G. Wayne Clough, Smithsonian Institution Secretary
Artist:
Year: 2013
Date of Action: September 18, 2013
Region: North America
Location: Smithsonian Museum
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Public Speech, Film Video
Confronting Bodies: Smithsonian, G. Wayne Clough
Description of Artwork: This incident refers to the 30 minute video created by David Wojnarowicz in 1987. It was displated at a National Portrait Gallery exhibition.
The Incident: Smithsonian Chief G. Wayne Clough is remembered to have pulled a portion of a 30 minute 1987 video by David Wojnarowicz (this portion called "A Fire in My Belly") from a National Portrait Gallery exhibition in 2010. This portion showed a crucifix with ants crawling on it. The move caused critics, especially the Association of Art Museum Directors, to call his action one of censorship.
Results of Incident: Clough announced that he will resign from the Smithsonian in 2014.
Source:
• http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-wayne-clough-smithsonian-chief-who-pulled-artwork-to-step-down-20130918,
• 0,
• 6986612.story