Presentations
Location
Schewel 215
Access Type
Open Access
Entry Number
85
Start Date
4-4-2018 2:15 PM
Department
History
Abstract
Following the death of Robert Mapplethorpe in 1989, a group of scholars put together a retrospective exhibition of his life’s work with the help of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The subject matter, namely those in Mapplethorpe’s X and Z portfolios that included male nudes and depictions of sadomasochism, caused major controversy across the country. The presentation will cover Helms Amendment of 1990 and the obscenity trial that took place in Cincinnati in 1990 with a specific focus on the lasting impacts that these events have had on the NEA and the art world.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Barbara Rothermel, Dr. Adam Dean, Dr. Brian Crim
Rights Statement
The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.
Included in
Legal Commons, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons, Museum Studies Commons, Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Political History Commons, Social History Commons, United States History Commons
Not all Art Belongs in the Living Room: The Tale of Robert Mapplethorpe
Schewel 215
Following the death of Robert Mapplethorpe in 1989, a group of scholars put together a retrospective exhibition of his life’s work with the help of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The subject matter, namely those in Mapplethorpe’s X and Z portfolios that included male nudes and depictions of sadomasochism, caused major controversy across the country. The presentation will cover Helms Amendment of 1990 and the obscenity trial that took place in Cincinnati in 1990 with a specific focus on the lasting impacts that these events have had on the NEA and the art world.