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 artist Conger Metcalf on his early life and artistic career. A sampling of his muted paintings of pensive subjects.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/30/1990
Description: Interview with Boston artist Conger Metcalf. Meltcalf teaches a master drawing class at the Boston Athenaeum. Discussion of his individual works, his life, his career, his influences, and his techniques. Tour of his apartment: living room, studio.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/03/1990
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: Director and curator of Gardner Museum and art historian speculate on identity and motives of thief of major works from museum at a press conference and in an interview. Comments on the museum's security system. Photos of stolen pieces.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/19/1990
Description: Curator comments on various renderings of the human figure in MFA exhibit. Many nudes and parts of the body in photos, drawings, paintings and sculpture.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/31/1990
Description: Interview with mystery writer Jane Langton on art theft at Gardner Museum, which somewhat parallels one of her novels. B-roll follows of interiors of Gardner Museum and planted atrium. Guards, antique furniture, tapestries, paintings. Police line. Museum employee discussing investigation in the background while filming b-roll.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/19/1990
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: This tape includes a short piece documenting a celebration at the Grand Concourse in South Station. Students and city officials celebrate the unveiling of a mural created by Sidewalk Sam and Boston elementary-school students. The mural is made up of personal drawings by students and it celebrates ethnic diversity and racial harmony in Boston. A choir of students performs in South Station. A city official congratulates the students. Sidewalk Sam leads students in a cheer. This tape includes additional footage of the celebration at South Station. Ray Flynn looks on as a student choir performs. Additional footage includes shots of the mural
1:00:30: Visual: Shot of a man conducting a children's choir. The children begin to sing. Shot of a sign reading, "Boston youth celebrate ethnic diversity and harmony." Shots of students in the choir. Footage of a city official speaking from a podium. The official says that the children are promoting racial harmony and peace. Footage of students singing in the choir. Shots of a large mural created by elementary-school students in the Boston Public School System. Shots of students waving at the camera. Shots of a section of the mural, hanging in the Grand Concourse of South Station in Boston. Shots of students in the choir. Shot of Robert Guillemin (artist), also known as "Sidewalk Sam" leading the students in a cheer. Shots of the mural; of the individual drawings making up the mural.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/15/1990
Description: Conversation with performance artist Karen Finley. Clips from her stage event and painting a poetry mural.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/06/1990