PARTICULAR HISTORY AND RESULT OF CENSORSHIP MARK COETZEE
HISTORY
VIOLATION
ARTS ASSOCIATION OF BELLVILLE GALLERY
19 FEBRUARY - 13 MARCH 1997
Initially pressure applied on artist by curator and chairperson to show "safe" work or practice self -censorship. Artist refuses. Exhibition banned with statement of curator "the contents do not conform to the norms and criteria" set down by Bellville Municipality. Show eventually given the go ahead after enormous media pressure placed on the South African Association of Arts and the Bellville Municipality.
During exhibition a visitor vandalizes the installation. The works are covered with a black material to obscure their viewing. The curator does not consult with artist but attempts to "restore" works and in so doing causes further damage.
BAD BOOKS
ARTS ASSOCIATION OF BELLVILLE GALLERY
16 JULY - 7 AUGUST 1997
Shortly after opening of exhibition complaints received by the Association. They are asked to remove Coetzee's work. The following day an organization calling themselves "Christians for Truth" steals part of the installation. Under pressure from various moral minorities the Tygerberg Municipal Substructure closes the gallery until Coetzee's work is removed. The exhibition does not reopen.
POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS' EXHIBITION
UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH ART GALLERY
22 APRIL - 14 MAY 1988
At the meeting to organize the exhibition, Department of Fine Art Head requests artists not to show "controversial" work as Faculty Dean implied funding would be threatened. 15 Minutes before exhibition opening Head of Department removes Coetzee's work from gallery walls. A few days later, all other exhibitors remove their work in protest.
RESULT
What is of interest here is not whether censorship
is justified or not, but its result.