Few would object, on the one end, to a Norman Rockwell painting being hung in an art gallery window.
Few, at the other end, would approve of a city park screening of a Jenna Jameson skin flick.
But where is the line in between?
Much has been made elsewhere (for example, http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200771130004 and http://www.nuvo.net/articles/manhandles_cause_controversy) about the concerned mothers group that has protested both Clay Terrace’s Victoria’s Secret store and downtown Carmel’s Evan Lurie Gallery of Fine Art (home of the nude door handles) in the name of public decency.
But now that the smoke has died down a little, let’s consider a bigger question: What is and what isn’t OK to display in a public place?
I’m not asking for consensus here. Or for somethig that would pass Constitutional muster. I’m asking for your personal opinion.
What would Victoria’s Secret have to show in its window to get you to add your voice to the protest?
What would an art gallery have to put in its window for you to say “enough”?
When is a line crossed?
Your thoughts?
FYI: Carmel City Ordinance 6-46 states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to post in any conspicuous or public place within the city any obscene, lewd, indecent or lascivious drawing, photograph, or picture of an indecent or immoral nature…” You can find the legalese here:
http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Indiana/carmel/cityofcarmelcodeofordinances?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:carmel_in
Few, at the other end, would approve of a city park screening of a Jenna Jameson skin flick.
But where is the line in between?
Much has been made elsewhere (for example, http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200771130004 and http://www.nuvo.net/articles/manhandles_cause_controversy) about the concerned mothers group that has protested both Clay Terrace’s Victoria’s Secret store and downtown Carmel’s Evan Lurie Gallery of Fine Art (home of the nude door handles) in the name of public decency.
But now that the smoke has died down a little, let’s consider a bigger question: What is and what isn’t OK to display in a public place?
I’m not asking for consensus here. Or for somethig that would pass Constitutional muster. I’m asking for your personal opinion.
What would Victoria’s Secret have to show in its window to get you to add your voice to the protest?
What would an art gallery have to put in its window for you to say “enough”?
When is a line crossed?
Your thoughts?
FYI: Carmel City Ordinance 6-46 states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to post in any conspicuous or public place within the city any obscene, lewd, indecent or lascivious drawing, photograph, or picture of an indecent or immoral nature…” You can find the legalese here:
http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Indiana/carmel/cityofcarmelcodeofordinances?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:carmel_in
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Artistically speaking it would be harder to convince me that any art showing exposed genitalia would merit public display. Victoria's Secret stuff would not qualify. Dirty butts or crude language would get me angry if put on display.
I find depictions of guns and violence far more offensive than artistic nudity and more pervasive in society. I won't drive down West 38th street on a Sunday because of the pictures of aborted fetuses I had to endure on a recent trip.
I feel that David would somehow be considered obscene in Carmel.