Flag installation to be removed after all

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Posted: October 9, 2009 - 3:30 pm

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By Mike Dunham
Closing at a gallery near you soon: Mariano Gonzales' installation at APU's Grant Hall. Photo: Bob Hallinen.
If you want to see Mariano Gonzales' installation at APU, be advised that it will come down on Thursday, Oct. 15, 10 days earlier than originally announced.

As reported below, concerns over language and children led APU to ask that Gonzales switch locations of his show with the hanging art show by John Wilcox now at the neighboring Carr Gottstein Gallery. As of Oct. 8, Gonzales agreed.

But on Friday he told us: "After reviewing the CG gallery space I have concluded that my exhibition simply will not not fit. The lighting is too bright, and the layout of the area, including the arrangement of elements in that space make it impossible to recreate the solemnity of my exhibition.

"My show was designed specifically for the Conoco Phillips gallery. It would probably fit in a similarly arranged space elsewhere, but the Carr Gottstein is unsuitable as it is essentially a lounge area with enough wall space to hang pictures.

"My exhibition would look so out of place there that even the sophisticated viewer would find cause to complain!

"But I won't go back on my word, so on October 15 at 6:00 pm I will put away the flags, and remove the comments that so many have left (mostly pro and some con)."
Comments: In addition to viewer-posted comments on the wall at Gonzales' installion, there is a guest book. This page, photographed on Oct. 8, had one positive comment, one negative comment and the bottom of the page ripped off. Photo: Bob Hallinen

Such are the details, concerns and responses expressed to us by the parties. Anything more regarding motive falls into the realm of speculation and hypothosis. For his part, Gonzales wrote, "I consider this to be a good faith effort on the part of APU not to censor my show. I am also cognizant of some of their concerns relevant to a children's theater production happening there on Oct. 16.

"It may be possible in the future to find another venue for the display.
For now, I hope that APU will allow me to leave in place of my exhibit a placard with final comments on this experience.

"I promise that the content will not be offensive to children."

APU told us that they were in agreement concerning the placement of such a placard.

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