Perception, Artistic Freedom, and Censorship.

byStanley Bermudez

Visual Artist and Adjunct Instructor at Gainesville State College

DNA Molecule Models

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Perception

(pər-sĕp'shən) n.

1.The process, act, or faculty of perceiving.

2.The effect or product of perceiving.

3.Psychology.

a.Recognition and interpretation of sensory stimuli based chiefly on memory. b.The neurological processes by which such recognition and interpretation are effected.

4.a.Insight, intuition, or knowledge gained by perceiving. b.The capacity for such insight.

You should see a man's face and also a word...

Hint: Try tilting your head to the right, the world begins

with 'L'

Acrylics and Oil Markers on Canvas, The World, 2000

Acrylics on Canvas, Jesucrista, 1998

Artistic Freedom

“Speech has been broadly defined as an expression that includes, but is not limited to, what you wear, read, say, paint, perform, believe, protest, or even

silently resist.”

(French, Lukianoff, & Silverglate, 2005)

Osama Bin Laden, Acrylics on Canvas, 2005

Adolph Hitler, Acrylics on Canvas, 2005

Fidel Castro, Acrylics on Canvas, 2003

George W. Bush, Acrylics on Canvas, 2003

Acrylics on Canvas, God, 2007

Mixed Media, Hugo Chavez Frias Altar, 1998

Acrylics on Canvas, Hugo Chavez Frias I, 2006

Censorship

Censorship is the suppression of speech or other communication which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient to the general body of people as determined by a government, media outlet, or

other controlling body.(Wikipedia)

Acrylics on Canvas, Jesucrista, 1998

Acrylics, Oil Markers and Collage on Canvas, Loosing Our Freedoms, 1999

“…the concept of “academic freedom”, ensured, in theory at least, that discussion of even the most

controversial and provocative issues should bevigorous and unfettered on campuses, all in the

name of the search for truth that almost all liberal artsinstitutions long have claimed as their governing ethic.”

(French, Lukianoff, & Silverglate, 2005)

Acrylics on Canvas, Heritage?, 2010

Beware of schools administrators who attempt to limit speech or communication to only those ideas or thoughts that are not “offensive,” “harassing.” or

“marginalizing.” They may try to argue that your speech is less worthy of protection because, from their

perspective, it is not “constructive.” it does not “advance campus dialogue,” or it is “hateful” or detracts from “a sense of community.” … if your only goal is to express an opinion or idea (no matter how bizarre or unsettling that opinion strikes others), that expression is protected

by the First Amendment from governmental interference.

(French, Lukianoff, & Silverglate, 2005)

Artworks

Tres Tristes Gatos, Acrylics on Canvas, 2009

Judith Silva Perez, Acrylics on Canvas, 2008

Oil Pipe Inspection, Acrylics on Canvas, 2008

Venezuela Yesterday, Acrylics on Canvas, 2010

Venezuela Today, Acrylics on Canvas, 2010

Barrack Obama, Acrylics on Canvas, 2009

Emiliano Zapata, Acrylics and Oil Pastels on Canvas, 2009

Maria Bermudez, Acrylics on Canvas, 2006

Wedding Commission, Acrylics on Canvas, 2007

Line, Color, and Texture III, Acrylics on Panel, 2010

Line, Color, and Texture IV, Acrylics on Canvas, 2010

Line, Color, and Texture VII, Acrylics on Canvas, 2010

Links:

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education – www.thefire.org

National Coalition Against Censorship - www.ncac.org

American Association of University Professors - www.aaup.org

Thank you!