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Nov 14, 2012 cablegriffith commented on 216 Nipples Later.

I'd like to try and reiterate, expanded on and clarify some points I've made before on this issue. To me, this issue is barely about the content of the print by Ben Beres. Boobs or no boobs, the presence of the print in the 3rd floor lobby gallery mentioned staff and faculty by name in a manner they were not comfortable with. It is not up to me (or anyone else) to determine whether or not someone should or shouldn't take offense. Cornish, as an employer and institution, has a duty to offer a safe work environment for employees that respects their personal boundaries, without judgement. Same for students. If a student hangs artwork on campus that mentions another student in an unfavorable or offensive way, Cornish has a responsibility to protect that student. In my opinion, the responsibility to protect one person trumps the right for another to insult. Again, without judgement towards the insulted. To me, this is the issue. I appreciate Jen's questioning "that the print's removal is an implicit empowering of the two individual women who are standing out from the other 106?". Some will call it 'censorship' all the live-long day. Maybe so, but it's also something else. Censorship is an easy answer to a simple question. The answers to some of the more complex (and important) questions are, perhaps, not as straight-forward.
Cable Griffith, Curator
Cornish College of the Arts

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Nov 7, 2012 cablegriffith commented on Taking Whatshertits to Another Level: Ben Beres's Print Is Cut from a Show at Cornish.

Hi Jen,

Here's the info for an upcoming talk. This one was scheduled months ago and isn't aimed to tackle the recent issue here, but I guarantee that we will be pulling an additional discussion together soon to address it specifically. But it is hard to imagine that the current situation wouldn't come up at the talk listed below. Especially at Cornish, the issue needs to be now looked at as an educational opportunity. I'll give you the details as I have them. Best, Cable

Sustenance presents:

Women and the Visual:
The Influence of John Berger and Laura Mulvey
Friday, November 16
Board Room
1000 Lenora Street, 7th floor
12 - 1 PM

Seattle Art Museum is currently hosting an unprecedented set of exhibitions and programs showcasing women artists. Cornish College of the Arts is joining SAM in this celebration of great art by women with a community discussion: Women and the Visual: TheInfluence of John Berger and Laura Mulvey. Forty years after the publication of seminal works by John Berger and Laura Mulvey, a panel of Seattle artists considers the influence of their thinking on women as both subjects and objects of art. Please join us for this special lunchtime discussion, as part of Cornish’s Sustenance series.

With guests:
Sharon Arnold, artist, curator, and writer
Michelle Dunn Marsh, artist
Amanda Manitach, artist, writer
Steve Sewell, artist
Jenifer Ward, Interim Provost, Cornish College of the Arts

sustenance
noun \səs-tə-nən(t)s\
1 a: means of support, maintenance, or subsistence : living b : food,
provisions; also : nourishment
2: a monthly lunchtime discussion about arts issues, open to the entire Cornish community, from 12 - 1pm.

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Nov 7, 2012 cablegriffith joined My Stranger Face

Nov 7, 2012 cablegriffith commented on Taking Whatshertits to Another Level: Ben Beres's Print Is Cut from a Show at Cornish.

In the interest of efficiency, I'd like to post a brief response of mine to a thread on the show's Facebook event page, complete with typos:

"I'd like to chime in here. In my opinion, to label this issue as "Cornish" censors artists" is far too simple. The Cornish Alumni Gallery exists within an institution and place of employment. Like any other employer, it relies on a trusting relationship with its employees to provide a safe place to work that respects personal boundaries. In this case, the work targeted a number of employees by name, without consent. Example: I work in cubicle A and draw a picture of the person in cubicle B's "parts" with their name on it. If person in cubicle B doesn't appreciate my drawing of them, it comes down. Plain and simple. An art gallery in a public/work space is not a protected enclave from these basic workplace considerations. Hate to get all administrative here, but it comes with the job. Happy to talk more at the opening tonight. Love and respect to all."

I don't expect people to like it, but that's pretty much what the issue comes down to for me. The realities of public/private/institutional space are complex. You can count on Cornish to address these issues in a forum of some kind, TBA. The conversation will continue...

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