The Censorship of Art Essay example - 14698 Words

The Censorship of Art While the censorship of art is not a new phenomenon, recent years have witnessed renewed and intensified attempts to control popular culture. In particular, rap and rock music have come under increasing attack from various sides representing the entire left and right political spectrum, purportedly for their explicit sexual and violent lyrical contents. In this paper is investigated which moral codes underlie these claims against popular music, how social movements mobilize actions around these claims, and the way in which they are manifested in mechanisms of control targeted at rap and rock music. Moreover, I explore how the performers and fans of these musical styles have in turn articulated counter-claims,†¦show more content†¦She was shocked to find out that one of the songs on the album, Darling Nikki, contained a reference to female masturbation. The same Prince song was also listened to by the daughter of free-lance journalist Kandy Stroud, who was shocked to discover that her daughter was exposed to unabashedly sexual lyrics (Stroud 1985:14). Around the same time, Susan Baker, wife of former Treasury Secretary and White House Chief of Staff James Baker, overheard her 7-year old child sing along to Like a Virgin by Madonna, which lead her to realize what’s going on in pop music (quoted in Roldan 1987:223). Also around the same time, Pam Howar, wife of a wealthy construction executive, noticed the lyrical contents of the songs she was dancing to during her aerobics classes, and discovered that her daughter was listening to the same kind of music over breakfast. In April of 1985 the concerned parents, together with Sally Nevius, wife of former Washington D.C. council chairman John Nevius, and Ethelynn Stuckley, wife of former Congressman Williamson Stuckley, joined forces: on May 13, 1985, they formed the non-profit, tax-exempt organization Parents Music Resource Center. Under the Presidency of Pamela Howar, the PMRC compiled a mailing list to appeal to similarly concerned parents and to raise money. Soon after its formation, affiliates of the PMRC included several U.S. Congressmen and Representatives. On the same day of the PMRC’sShow MoreRelatedThe Censorship Of The Arts1173 Words   |  5 Pages Censorship In the Arts Innocence, purity, youth — qualities that society strives to protect. In order to safeguard these sanctities, society often employs censorship to combat vileness. Vileness embedded within the arts. Art has no limits, no boundaries, no rules. Art is undefinable. Therefore, art is easily considered to be the nesting grounds for defilement. Censorship is currently the preferred tool to cleanse this impurity. Censorship is â€Å"the suppression of words, images, or ideas that areRead MoreCensorship in Art733 Words   |  3 PagesCensorship in Art Censorship has existed in the United States since colonial times. In the early history of American culture censorships emphasis was on political statements and actions, banning literature, music and even people from being heard in this country. This leading too more closed-minded views about different cultures and society, which we are still fighting to over come in the present day. Today a better-informed America has switched their views to a more sexual content when decidingRead MoreCensorship of the Arts in Singapore1474 Words   |  6 Pagesstrike between freedom of and restrictions upon artistic expression? The commonly accepted definition of censorship- that certain texts, images, or films should be banned. The Longman’s English Dictionary defines censorship as to examine books, films, letters etc, to remove anything that is considered offensive, morally harmful, or politically dangerous. Narrowing down the definition to cover The Arts scene in Singapore, the question beckons should anyone have the power to place restrictions on an individual’sRead More Censorship in art Essay715 Words   |  3 Pages Censorship in Art Censorship has existed in the United States since colonial times. In the early history of American culture censorship’s emphasis was on political statements and actions, banning literature, music and even people from being heard in this country. This leading too more closed-minded views about different cultures and society, which we are still fighting to over come in the present day. Today a better-informed America has switched their views to a more sexual content when decidingRead More The Censorship Of Art Essay2753 Words   |  12 Pages Things are heating up in America. People are protesting outside of the movie theaters, concerts, and book and record stores of this great nation everywhere. What is all the fuss about? Censorship, Government officials and raving mad protesters alike have been trying to stop the expressive creativity in everything from Marilyn Manson to Mark Twain. One of the biggest shake-ups happened in museums all over the world recently that would have made Michelangelo and DiVinchi’s hair stand on end. In theRead MoreExamples And Ambiguities Of Art Censorship1459 Words   |  6 PagesExamples and Ambiguities of Art Censorship (Position Paper) Art censorship, suppression of the arts, has a very long history. This is because all societies must decide what the limits of free speech are, and in this decision they must also decide the status of art. It is easy to raise more questions than answers when exploring this topic as it is a question whose answer is affected by differing perspectives and opinions. It would be exceedingly difficult to articulate an argument based on dataRead MoreCensorship Of Children And The Art Industry1488 Words   |  6 PagesCensorship in children s cartoons is something that has a largely negative effect both on children and the art industry as a whole. Censorship can push itself on any number of topics: on violence, on love, on lgbt visibility, and on death. Censoring these scenes only serves to negate the sense of seriousness given to an issue. For instance, if you take away the possibility of a character getting injured or dying during a conflict, you lower the stakes, thus making whatever pl ot progression may beRead More Art Censorship Essay examples501 Words   |  3 PagesArt Censorship   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In recent news there was a controversy over art shown in Santa Fe Community College’s gallery. The artist Pat Payne created obscene religious pictures that for the most part were mocking the Catholic religion. I feel that there is no need for artwork to be censored if in an appropriate place. Placing paintings that may seem to be obscene in an art museum, gallery, or anywhere else that attract mostly mature individuals is appropriate and obviously placing those same piecesRead MoreThe Effect Censorship has on Art Essay examples943 Words   |  4 PagesThough out history artist have rejected any forms of censorship. Governments have had to enforce censorship laws for the sake of public safety. As well, as to maintain control of society and to uphold the moral and ethical values that the populous demands. Whether you are for or against censorship in art, it serves a useful purpose in moderation, but it can be taken to extremes. Whether it’s a fasc ist government or a extremist religious organization it is easy for a controversial law to be twistedRead MoreCensorship Essay1233 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Censorship Censorship is a highly controversial topic regarding the arts, controlling the freedom of expression of artists to convey what is deemed acceptable within society. Ai Weiwei falls victim under the power of the regime and the influence of censorship guidelines within China, limiting the display of his art due to the important messages he raises. Andres Serrano has experienced attempted censorship on his provocative image, Piss Christ, and has been attacked for producing offensive art.