Ban on culture: Exhibitions of pro-Palestinian artists are being canceled around the world
Exhibitions of artists who support Palestine on social networks are being canceled around the world. The exhibition of the world-famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was canceled for this very reason, which caused a great uproar.
"The sense of guilt [of Western countries] over the persecution of the Jewish people sometimes seems to be washed away at the expense of the Arab world," Ai Weiwei wrote on his social media page X.
"Financially, culturally, and media-wise, the Jewish community in the United States has significant influence. "Washington's annual aid package of 3 billion dollars to Israel is recognized as one of the most expensive investments made by the United States for several decades," the creator noted.
Critics, including influential Jewish organizations, considered this post "anti-Semitism". London's Leeson Gallery has canceled an exhibition of works by a Chinese artist on the eve of its opening. After him, galleries in New York, Paris and Berlin made the same decision.
The controversy surrounding Ai's tweet is one of many that have rocked the arts and entertainment industries since the start of the Israeli-Palestinian war. The backlash in the art world has been particularly strong against Palestinian activists , including Jewish artists who have criticized Israel's bombing of Gaza.
Many world-renowned galleries are canceling exhibitions, award ceremonies and upcoming contract negotiations with artists because of artists' positions on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Gallerists say collectors are even scrutinizing artists for their political views and demanding that their works be removed from exhibitions because they criticize Israel.
The prestigious Artforum magazine has republished an "Open Letter from the Art Community to Cultural Organizations" calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as the liberation of the Palestinians.
The magazine's editor, David Velasco, was subsequently fired, and magazine publisher Jay Penske said his actions were "inconsistent" with the editorial process.
After that, hundreds of artists and authors boycotted the magazine. In a December release, Penske said it regretted the "misinterpretation" of Velasco's departure.
Christie's auction house has removed two paintings by Lebanese artist Ayman Baalbaki, one depicting a man wearing a red and white keffiyeh, seen as a symbol of Palestinian identity. The organizers of the award ceremony in honor of the Palestinian writer Adanya Shibli at the Frankfurt Book Fair canceled under the pretext of "war in Israel".
The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) reported an "explosion of repressive incidents" against artists since October 7.
ELSC spokeswoman Alice Garcia said some events were canceled because they were deemed "too influential or anti-Israel." According to him, most of such cases are observed in Germany.
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