Posted on 02/05/2024 7:02:16 AM PST by Mr. Mojo
The new director of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA), whose tenures at previous institutions were punctuated by controversy, has abruptly canceled a major upcoming exhibition over a lack of diversity among the two dozen represented artists. Director Amada Cruz also eliminated the position of the museum’s longtime chief curator, Eik Kahng.
The decisions by Cruz prompted a searing response from the affected artists, who called her actions “outrageous” and “appalling” and said they continued “Cruz’s pattern of controversial leadership.”
“We consider these recent developments not only alarming but also insulting — to us, to the Santa Barbara art community, and indeed to all artists,” eight members of the group wrote in a formal letter of protest to the museum’s Board of Directors. “What is happening at SBMA now threatens the institution’s public and scholarly missions.”
News of the cancellation and Kahng’s dismissal was first reported by Hyperallergic, an online arts magazine.
The show, Three American Painters: Then and Now, was meant to explore the legacy of art historian Michael Fried during the period of “high modernism.” Kahng had been developing it for years, securing loans for 62 pieces and organizing a catalog that was on its way to being printed when Cruz suddenly pulled the plug.
In a statement to the Independent, Cruz defended her decisions. “When I joined the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in October 2023, one of the first priorities set together with the Board and senior leadership was to review the ways in which our Museum and programming can be more inclusive and more reflective of Santa Barbara County’s diverse community,” she said.
“In reviewing the exhibition plan, the checklist of around 20 living artists and estates slated to be included in the exhibition, and the catalog essays,” Cruz continued, “it was determined that it fell short from a diversity perspective. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, like other museums of our size, has limited resources. So, it was decided to focus our resources elsewhere.”
Cruz said she and the museum “regret the impact this may have on all of those involved, including the artists.”
Citing an anonymous board member, Hyperallergic reported there had also been concern voiced among museum leadership that a homophobic slur previously used by Fried could spark public backlash. In a private 1967 letter, Fried had referred to the “faggot sensibility” of certain Minimalist works.
“Having canceled the exhibition,” the artists said in their letter, “[Cruz] then went on to cancel its creator.”
Diversity is whatever I say it is. Even if I don’t say it.
So a guy works for years to put together an exhibit, and this lady comes in and axes it within a few months.
I live 2,500 miles from that stupidity......and it’s not far enough
1967?...........................
She’d make a hell of a home owners association president
…
Citing an anonymous board member, Hyperallergic reported there had also been concern voiced among museum leadership that a homophobic slur previously used by Fried could spark public backlash. In a private 1967 letter, Fried had referred to the “faggot sensibility” of certain Minimalist works.
And there it is, the real reason why it was canceled. The board itself didn't have the stones to go after the curator, Eik Khang, so they brought in a hitter, Amada Cruz, to do the dirty work for them over something written almost 60 years ago. I know zip about art and art history, but I do know about political correctness and its censoring ways, and this is a prime example even if most of us, most of all me, have no idea who Michael Fried is and if we ever read any of his articles or books, would nod off 15 words in.
Good. I am laughing. They actually hired a true believer revolutionary. The liberals who hired her are appalled she followed through with the diversity pledge? This is what happens when white liberals are hoisted on their own petard.
Selling my condo was the best thing I did. No more HOA!
White liberals are the dumbest people on the planet.
Rainbow-striped canvases must be used henceforth
Indeed.
“In reviewing the exhibition plan, the checklist of around 20 living artists and estates slated to be included in the exhibition, and the catalog essays,” Cruz continued, “it was determined that it fell short from a diversity perspective.”
To administrators: why do y’all hire such stupid people? Why not make a public example and put an end to this crap once and for all?
Those artists should just put on their own show. They won’t.
Next up, a show with all the right representations, and art so lousy no one will care. Maybe they get some of Hunter’s work to display.
So an unwise Latina Art Director nixes the longtime Asian Curator and cancels the art exhibition over some comment made by a Jewish artist from decades ago. Multi diverse enough but her issue is Woke stupidity on steroids.
Probably a bunch of weird stuff anyway.
Went into the Museum of Modern Art in Boston. They had a yellow dresser against a wall. Was supposed to signify something I guess. Didn’t care.
“Lack of diversity” = “too many white males”.
One of the leftist dog whistles that they/them think only they/them/zir can hear.
The new generation of people running these sorts of places will destroy them with wokeness
Here in Franklin TN the Heritage Foundation and Battlefield Trusts are going through this now
Outsiders brought in and the focus has become enslaved peoples and segregation
And wokies are hired to run it
It’s disgusting
Oak Alley in Louisiana has been ruined with this
Few genuine museums left
The wikipediaization of historical references online and in the real
I blame Gen x and z
No offense
Yes boomers suck we all know that but we’re not running much anymore
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