‘Sanitized Art’ Bill Draws Angry Protests at Rally in Southland

Government interference in the arts took a drubbing Saturday as several hundred artists and their supporters, including some pointedly dressed as culture police, staged a rally to protest legislation that would outlaw federal funding for works of art deemed to be offensive or indecent.

The protesters, who congregated on the grounds of the Federal Building in Westwood in one of many demonstrations held nationwide, demanded that Congress defeat the controversial measure proposed by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.).

“If we are required to present a sanitized version of the world, then art becomes a lie,” said Suzanne Lummis, reading a statement from the board of directors of the L.A. Poetry Festival, a group of poets and arts supporters.

Read From Works

Members of the Coalition for Freedom of Expression, which sponsored the rally, underscored their point by having writers and actors read from works that have inspired controversy.

The selections ranged from rather tame passages from “The Catcher in the Rye” and “Alice in Wonderland” to graphic portions of Alan Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” and a locally written play about gay sexuality.

State Sen. Art Torres (D-L.A.), who has authored a resolution in the Legislature opposing Helms’ measure, likened Helms to “(Adolf) Hitler and others who tried to suppress expression.”

“Thank God we can congregate like this in America and thank God we’re going to be able to confront Jesse Helms and put him in his place,” said Torres. “No one, not even Jesse Helms, can take away the Constitution and our . . . freedom of expression.”

As Torres spoke, many of the protesters hoisted placards advocating freedom for the arts. Some carried empty frames. Others held pictures of famous sculptures such as Michelangelo’s “David” with the genitals covered.

In another gibe at Helms, a group of performance artists dressed as police mingled with the crowd, issuing mock citations for bad taste.

At one point, as the sound of religious hymns wafted across the field, organizers assumed that a counterdemonstration was under way. As it turned out, a San Fernando Valley Christian congregation was holding one of its monthly rallies on the other side of the building.

Controversial Measure

Helms introduced the hotly disputed measure last month after learning that National Endowment for the Arts funding had been used to support two controversial exhibits, one in North Carolina and the other in Pennsylvania. One of the artworks was called “Piss Christ” and featured a crucifix submerged in the urine of artist Andres Serrano. The other included the homoerotic photographs of the late Robert Mapplethorpe.

Helms’ measure would bar federal funds from being used to “promote, disseminate or produce obscene or indecent materials.” It would also bar federal grants from being used for artwork that “denigrates, debases or reviles” on the basis of race, creed, sex or national origin.

Los Angeles City Councilman Michael Woo said Helms, who is from North Carolina, has no right to set a nationwide standard for what constitutes art. Councilman Joel Wachs, who authored a resolution opposing Helm’s measure that was passed by the council, called Helms’ actions demagogic.

The protesters ended their rally by marching around the Federal Building.