Times Union Article
Wafaa Bilal's gallery has been shut down.
WTF RPI? The alumni of RPI really hold the power over everything. By power, of course I mean money. Part of me understands why RPI always plays it safe, I get that. Funding, alumni, etc. But if you're pushing the arts department. Pushing the "Rensselaer University". Then what are you doing shutting down this display? Talking about this in class has brought up about 5 stories of students final projects that have been shut down. Now, while these have been slightly controversial projects, they haven't been THAT crazy. It's mostly been funny inside RPI jokes like "One word empties wallets. Rensselaer. Why not change your mind?" or pro-religious projects. It's really interesting to me because RPI only got wind of Wafaa's project after the press it's received.
Now let me just say that I was part of a large conference call with artists in Iraq with Wafaa translating for us. He's a very normal, calm guy. He's just enjoying this time being at RPI and was really gracious to us for being so willing to participate in the phone call. We were able to ask questions to the artists in Iraq. We even had a Jewish guy ask questions, which was kinda neat. My big question was how artists were influenced in Iraq. Do they focus on a positive future or does their work reflect their harsh day to day reality?
These questions are interesting. These questions bridge the gap between cultures. Aren't we supposed to be learning from eachother? Embracing our differences? I've learned a lot already from Wafaa. From how administration reacts to what life for an artist was like in Iraq. (They tend to focus on staying alive rather than their work and it's hard for them to ever take their art outside of their homes). I support the Arts Department of RPI. It's just a shame that RPI ended his gallery display early. As an arts student at RPI, I've learned a ton, so thanks to everyone regardless of your opinion.
-Emelie
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A blog created with the intention of exploring participatory culture at RPI.
2 comments:
This whole situation reflects incredibly negatively upon RPI, its cultural status, and the intellect of its students (and alumni).
Regardless, I find it unsurprising: having graduated from the institution, I consistently found most students to be not only culturally illiterate, but intellectually bankrupt. There is virtually no regard for artistry, questioning, subversion, etc, within the student body and the individuals who -do- voice opinions (ie, Julia Leusner and Ken Girardin, a la College Republicans) tend to be the most assertively bombastic and close minded of the bunch.
The point of art is, obviously, to create dialog. Waffa Bilal is doing precisely that in his artistry; he is creating a dialog that is admittedly uncomfortable for most individuals to explore. However, discomfort should not dissuade RPI from hosting such an event. Eschewing Bilal's work is an indication that RPI is not yet ready to embrace globalized mindsets and opinions; that the student body is incapable of considering a broader viewpoint in conflict with their own.
It's disappointing but, really, not surprising. I'd expect nothing more of RPI, its administration, and its students.
I sort of feel like this was inevitable. RPI has created this interesting atmosphere in this department, They have provided money and "support" and seem to encourage the work of lots of artists. They however still have the shadow of the alumni and corporate ties looming over the department. This wasn't an issue as long as nothing controversial was shown.
But it is only a matter of time before someone called them on it. When a highly respected and politically active artist, like Waffa, decided to question this institutions commitment to the arts department.
As soon as someone tries to voice an opinion that the institute funding doesn't like, RPI is forced to make a decision. Either they stand behind the decision of their experienced faculty and allow the show or they cave to the demands of their funding to expunge dissenting politics from arts department projects.
Well as I see it there is really no question where the institute stands. Money is more important than free speech every single time. Nothing changed here where Waffa is concerned.
Powerful alumni and corporate ties are a great way to build a world class research institution, Which RPI is. But you can't have a healthy successful world class arts program without giving your artists a safe place to practice. If every artist who wants to work in this department has to do so with the likely threat of the administration shutting them down, RPI will maintain its reputation as a politically repressive and culturally barren school for engineers.
"RPI all about the Benjamins since 1824"
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