Artist Cries Wolf About Censorship

In a democracy, censorship is among the worst of all evils. The attempt to stifle free expression runs counter to the most basic tenets of free society. Particularly at a university, censorship undermines the unfettered search for truth that is supposed to define what higher learning is all about.

At a place like Harvard, even the merest hint of censorship is a matter of the utmost concern. To accuse the institution of censorship is to question its legitimacy. To allege that its administrators are using their authority to censor the ideas of others is to suggest that they are unfit for their jobs. In short, the term should not be bandied about lightly.

Unfortunately, that happens all too often, as evidenced by recent events. Last week, Cameron Wolf, a self-described artist and student at the School of Public Health, alleged that Professor of Physics Daniel S. Fisher, the recently appointed master of Dudley House, had censored certain works out of a two-week exhibit of Wolf's work at the House. To hear Wolf tell it, the master was guilty of homophobia and discrimination in deciding that some of the photographs--of nude men and women--were inappropriate for display in his House.

But that's just not so. Indeed, Fisher did allow Wolf to display any and all of his works at a Dudley House reception sponsored by the Lesbian, Bisexual and Gay Graduate Students association last Thursday night, in commemoration of World AIDS Day. The master merely insisted that certain, particularly graphic, works--including one homoerotic pose of two nude men embracing and one of a nude woman--be removed after the reception.

His reasoning? Among other things, a group of small children were scheduled to use the Dudley House space the following morning.

Moreover, Fisher and Dudley House Artist-in-Residence Ivonne A-Baki had determined much earlier, with Wolf's cooperation, which works would be displayed for the duration of the two-week exhibit. The very graphic nudes were not among them.

Specifics aside, the real issue here is whether Master Fisher has the right to choose what he wants displayed in Dudley House (he does), and whether his actions constitute censorship (they don't).

Dudley House is not an art gallery. Nor is it the right of Cameron Wolf, or any other Harvard-affiliated "artist," to display his work there. Censorship would imply that Master Fisher somehow barred Wolf from ever displaying his work anywhere. He did not. Rather, the master allowed Wolf to use the University-controlled space for a certain amount of time, and for a specified purpose.

Moreover, even as a Harvard student, Wolf has no right to display any of his works publicly in Harvard buildings--no more than he has the right to spray graffiti on University walls. If Wolf wants to rent out a space, and display his work there, that is his right. But he has no right to demand University space in order to impose all of his works on the Harvard community--regardless of their artistic merit.

Wolf's self-proclaimed artistic mission was to increase awareness of the AIDS epidemic. Of course, with his bogus claim of censorship, he has most successfully increased awareness of Cameron Wolf, artist and self-promoter.