Censored Brooklyn College Student Art Show Reopens Tomorrow in Dumbo

The Brooklyn College MFA thesis exhibition that was shut down by the Brooklyn Borough Parks Commissioner and then damaged by school employees is reopening tomorrow at 70 Washington in Dumbo in space donated by developer David Walentas. The show is now called "Plan B Prevails," and will run from May 24-June 16. The student exhibition--which includes art with gay themes--was deemed not "appropriate for families" when it was ordered closed.

Gowanus Lounge admits to being deeply biased against anything that smacks of censorship and to being livid at reports that some of the art was, in effect, vandalized as it was being removed from the Brooklyn War Memorial. We are happy to note that the show is likely to have a far, far larger audience now than it would ever have had if it hadn't been shut down. Note to censors: If you want to art (or music, writing, etc.) to have a huge audience, then by all means (please, please, please) condemn it, shut it down or otherwise try to ban it. You will only ensure that it attracts a very large audience.

Kudos, then, to Parks Commissioner Julius Spiegel, unlikey hero of art and to the Brooklyn College employees that trashed the art when removing it. GL salutes you!

The show includes new works made in response to the censorship; it is free and is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 pm. GL looks forward to seeing it.