Description: At ICA, advocates of freedom of expression defend the Mapplethorpe exhibit. Opponents at State House press conference claim the photos are obscene and should be censored. Discussion of what makes something art, what makes something obscene, and how to judge a community standard.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/31/1990
Description: Interview with Beverly Sills on experiencing prejudice as woman directing an opera company and how the world is changing to allow women more opportunities. She comments on opera as expensive art form and how she tried to make quality opera that all people could afford, and that if specific opera communities are catering to the elite, she thinks the consumer can "make a lot of noise" and help to change that. She also mentions censorship in the arts and Robert Mapplethorpe. Clips of Sills singing.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/17/1991
Description: Dapper O'Neil visits Mapplethorpe exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art, to judge for himself if photos are obscene. David Ross, the museum director, greets him. Dapper takes notes on the pictures, is disgusted, threatens city council action. Interview with Dappy and an argument between Ross and Dapper over whether the city council has authority to censor ICA exhibit, since ICA is owned by BRA. B-roll follows of exteriors of ICA, police and crowds waiting for entrance, opening of the exhibit, chanting, free speech protest outside museum.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/01/1990
Description: Preview of ICA exhibit of Robert Mapplethorpe's photographs with curator commenting on pictures. Close-ups of many photos, including nudes and controversial images. Discussion focuses on the XYZ portfolio.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/31/1990
Description: Interview with ICA director David Ross, discussing the late photographer Robert Mapplethorpe whose work is controversial for its erotic and gay subject matter. Discussion of his self-portraiture. Discussion of some members of Congress' attempts to censor the rotating exhibit. Ross argues for freedom of speech.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/16/1989
Description: Mapplethorpe exhibit at ICA opens to the public. Free speech demonstrators and police stand out front. Footage of some of the photographs in the exhibit. The opening of the exhibitions. Interviews with patrons waiting to go in on what they expect and why they came, and with patrons coming out, on what they thought of the exhibition.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/01/1990