Image CC; Stocksnap
Last week’s Artshub article – The best conversations are often uncomfortable, so speak up – created attention on the social media platform Facebook over the choice of hero image used.
The image was a performance still of artist Cigdem Aydemir’s new work, I Will Always Love You (2017), which had been scheduled as part of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s new series Conversation Starters over the weekend 3 – 4 June.
The artist has today withdrawn the performance from the Conversation Starters program in light of sensitivities raised. The image has also been withdrawn from circulation.
The image pictured the artist with a “blackened” face and metallic foil headdress. It was in direct response to the installation Ghost (2007/2017) made by the French-Algerian artist Kader Attia, a work that is currently on show at the MCA.
ArtsHub used the image with courtesy and copyright of the artist, however, ArtsHub failed to provide sufficient context for the image within the article, which has lead to suggestions of racial insensitivity.
We acknowledge that this lack of context has caused hurt and dismay.
In a formal statement today, the artist said of the image: ‘By making faces darker I am emulating the effect of shadow on the form, and commenting on this work by Attia. Where he seeks to suggest a presence, I seek to make that presence more palpable. It is about reimagining the women in his work and providing an alternative narrative.’
The MCA added in a statement: ‘The MCA exists to support and value contemporary art and artists. Artists address complex ideas and challenge our perceptions. The depth of response to the image supporting this new work means that the artist has felt compromised in what the work was attempting to address.
‘In place of the performance we will be providing an opportunity to discuss the issues that this debate raises from different perspectives. This discussion will take place on Saturday 3 June at 1pm in the MCA Lecture Theatre, in the presence of MCA staff and the artist, amongst others.’
Conversation Starters is a new MCA program that aims to provide a platform and safe space for people to come together and discuss difficult subject matter through a range of events, performances, workshops and talks.
It will be held over the weekend of 3 – 4 June 2017. View the full program of events here.
