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(CNSNews.com) – In a Dec. 13 profile of outgoing Smithsonian Institution Secretary G. Wayne Clough, art critic Philip Kennicott called the order Clough gave three years ago to remove from a National Portrait Gallery exhibit a video that included images of ants crawling over a crucified Christ and of male genitals a “cowardly decision.”Referring to Clough’s predecessor Lawrence Small, Kennicott wrote in the Washington Post: “After a period of imperial leadership that reflected the larger and crass sense of entitlement during an era of reckless economic speculation, Clough brought homespun decency to the institution, but he didn't bring much vision or courage.”“Smithsonian insiders say he surrounded himself with an inner circle, and while he was approachable, he didn't often put himself in a position to be approached,” Kennicott wrote. “But it was his hasty and cowardly decision to censor a 2010 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery for which he will be remembered.”“Reacting to a tempest whipped up by the Catholic League, and exploited by some conservative congressmen, Clough removed a video by artist David Wojnarowicz (deemed ‘sacrilegious’ by self-appointed monitors of such things) from an exhibition that examined same-sex themes at the National Portrait Gallery.”The caption under a photograph of Clough states: “Wayne Clough cleaned up the Smithsonian’s governance after Lawrence Small’s misdeeds, but he caved to lawmakers who objected to a work of art.”
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Topic: WP on Outgoing Smithsonian Secretary: ‘Cowardly Decision’ to Remove Video of Ants on Crucifix in Gay Exhibit (Read 485 times)
