Letter Regarding Removal of Ron Terada Artwork
As part of the larger show at the Art Gallery of Windsor Ron Terada recently made headlines in the Windsor Star as city councilors voiced concern about the potential for mixed-messages. Checkpoint Charlie takes the form of a road sign that reads ‘You are now leaving the American Sector’ in both official languages.
Border Zones proposes to investigate the status and nature of boundaries in contemporary culture: the liminial spaces and paradoxical situations that we find ourselves in as a result of contemporary social and political realities.
Here is the first of many letters that will be posted to this site...
September 28, 2005
To Whom It May Concern:
We believe this story might be of interest to your readership.
This sign was approved by the City Council of Windsor, Ontario for a four-month exhibition on the Windsor waterfront. It is a work of public art by the Vancouver-based artist, Ron Terada who financed its production.
After an in-camera meeting held by City Council last Friday, they made the decision to remove the artwork without consultation with the artist, the Art Gallery of Windsor, or any public discussion.
The same city employees who were designated with the task of erecting the sign five days ago were dispatched, this morning, September 28, 2005 to remove the sign at 6:30 am.
This is a situation that warrants the urgency for policies regarding public art, and more open communication between the City Council and its respective constituencies.
The actions taken by the Council represent the active censorship of free expression in this country. This hasty and paranoid response will negatively impact Windsor’s reputation in the cultural realm for decades to come.
Lee Rodney, PhD., Assistant Professor, University of Windsor
Sigi Torinus, Assistant Professor, University of Windsor
posted by windsor arts advocacy @ 8:44 AM
2 Comments:
An eloquent letter to the Editor of the Windsor Star from Veronica Mogyorody, U Windsor Professor, Architect and Urban Planner (as yet not printed in the star):
Public art has often been the subject of community controversy. Although I am not an artist myself, I can appreciate the role public art has played in introducing current issues into the dialogue of mainstream society. One of the functions of public art is to challenge the notion that there is only one way of seeing things, which makes it inevitably controversial. Artists, questioning the limits of aesthetic form, often cannot avoid making a political statement. For many this provocative nature of public art might be considered a virtue and not a shortcoming, for it actively encourages discussion and communication among its citizenry. I would even argue that any urban centre that considers itself mature and enlightened would welcome opportunities to support artistic expression and freedom. Our vitality as a city depends on our ability to allow multiple viewpoints, beliefs, and opinions.
This is why I am quite disappointed by the recent decision of City Council to remove the Ron Terada sign from the waterfront. I've always been under the impression that the city of Windsor has been interested in presenting itself to the outside world as a progressive municipality, supportive of the arts, and cultural diversity. This recent action by Council can only help to send the message to our sister communities throughout Canada that the fundamental ideal of democratic debate is not welcome here.
Throughout history artists whom we now revere were criticized for their work, because it was considered to be morally or politically objectionable.
But had these venturesome artists not been able to experiment and challenge the status quo, the pleasure, enlightenment, and insights occasioned by their art might never have come into being. Can we even imagine our lives without the work of Michelangelo, Diego Rivera, or Degas? Isn’t it significant that a centrepiece of the UN building in New York city is a copy of Pablo Picasso’s Guernica?
I don’t think people are required to like Mr. Terada’s art, but I do believe everyone should be allowed to make that judgment for themselves. The city Council should support the rights of people in the community to see a wide range of artwork and restore the piece to its former location. Maybe it's time we had an open forum on public art.
Regards,
Veronika A. Mogyorody
July 2006
Good Day;
I am the Media Liaison for the Jazz in the Village Festival, presented by Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness (S.O.D.A.). As this is our third year holding the Jazz Festival, we are looking for a variety of new opportunities to list our event, in any appropriate venue; newsletters, on line, radio, magazines, posters, tours etc. I am hoping that you will forward this information to the correct person, and audience, so that this event can continue to grow, and increase Organ Donor Awareness.
Saturday, September 16th
3rd ANNUAL JAZZ IN THE VILLAGE
….....you can cruise the Mississippi without leaving Sarnia this September..........
Mardi Gras Dixieland Band (strolling) 10am - 2 pm
Johnny Bond and the Jazz Legends 12 - 1:30 pm
After Four and More 2 - 3:30 pm
One Bald Tire 4 - 5:30 pm
The Brenda Earle Trio 6 - 7:30 pm
The Jitterbugs 8 – 11:00pm
At 10AM,The Mardi Gras Dixieland Band will kick off the opening of the Festival at The Farmers Market. This is an all day affair, with live entertainment on the main stage from NOON until 11PM. Food vendors and local artists will be invited to display their wares at the Festival.
NEW VENUE
Mc Gibbon Park, Lochiel Kiwanis Community Center, 180 College Avenue North, N7T 7X2, Sarnia, Ontario
For further information or Tickets $10CAN advance and $15CAN at the gate.
Contact S.O.D.A. 505B - 546 Christina St. N., Sarnia, Ontario, N7T 5W6
1-519-344-7777 or 1-877-769-3987. Email: soda@ebtech.net or visit: www.jazzinthevillage.com
With a large tented area, rain or shine, the show will go on!
Beautiful beaches, nature trails, golf courses, marinas, a casino, a racetrack, arenas, and restaurants, the list goes on and on…. Sarnia is worth planning a trip to this fall!!! Thank you in advance for your help.
Marlene DeMeyer – Jazz in the Village, 2006
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