Letter to the editor

Dear editor,

Yesterday I read your article “Giuliani forced into climbdown” in your magazine and I was really shocked about Mayor Giuliani’s behaviour especially because of Ofili’s Virgin Mary and I’m glad that the Brooklyn museum won the battle against him.
I mean art is often controversial, but it also can have expressions even if it is “shock art”. In my opinion everyone should be able to have his own opinion about art, but I think no one should have the right to fight against an exhibition in a legal battle. Giuliani wasn’t allowed to withhold money and to go to law against art because with that action he damaged the Brooklyn museum’s reputation and especially the right of free speech. What I want to say is that your article opened my eyes and showed me that art really can split up the public opinion.

Yours,
Ruth

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My own summary

Giuliani forced into climbdown

A row over the art exhibition in NY because of Ofili’s painting, which showed the Virgin Mary adorned with dung, has ended after six-month legal battle with the major Giuliani who withheld money from the Brooklyn museum and damaged NY’s reputation. He has been forced to restore the withheld funding.

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Giuliani forced into climbdown

There has been a legal battle between Mayor Giuliani and Brooklyn museum about Ofili’s Virgin Mary in the Sensation Exhibition. He threatened to withhold funding and to evict them. The museum won because of the right to free speech after 6 months and he gave in.

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