From: Igor Vamos <vamosi@rpi.edu>
Date: Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Subject: Re: Visiting Artist
To: walkew2@rpi.edu
Cc: RPI Employee List <RPI-EMP-L@lists.rpi.edu>, "FACULTY-ALL-L@Lists.rpi.edu" <FACULTY-ALL-L@lists.rpi.edu>


Greetings William and the Rensselaer Community:

Although I am relieved that you say RPI is "pleased to have Bilal
among us" I am shocked that the Institute has not allowed him his
first amendment rights. Shutting down the show is a clear-cut case of
censorship.

Just to be perfectly clear:

Wafaa Bilal's art show is not illegal.  He has been very open about
the "origin, content, and intent" of the work, as have the Arts
Department who invited him to RPI. There is no need for an
'investigation' unless of course you are not going to listen to any
of us.

The administration shut down Bilal's show after a student blog post
(reprinted in the press) proclaimed the arts department a "safe haven
for terrorists." By shutting down the exhibit after speaking to the
artist and the Arts Department the University has affirmed the
original blog post, insinuating that they agree that Bilal could be a
terrorist and that we–the faculty and employees of RPI–are harboring
terrorists.  The administration's reaction to this art show is highly
irresponsible. It endangers Bilal and undermines RPI faculty and staff.

This abuse of power is unacceptable. The saddest part about all of
this is that Bilal has experienced this kind of censorship before: In
Iraq, under Saddam Hussein.

Igor Vamos
Associate Professor
Arts Department


On Mar 8, 2008, at 4:58 PM, Walker, William N. wrote:

>
> March 8, 2008
>
> To the Rensselaer Community:
>
> You may have seen coverage in the news media of actions taken by the
> university regarding a visiting artist on campus. This is to provide
> more information on this situation.
>
> After becoming aware of and discussing concerns expressed by some
> members of the Rensselaer community about a lecture and associated
> exhibit by digital media artist Wafaa Bilal, the university decided to
> allow his March 5 lecture to go forward. Most observers agreed that he
> presented a stimulating and thought-provoking lecture.
>
> We are pleased to have Mr. Bilal among us to contribute to the
> intellectual and artistic life of the Institute, and we look forward
> to his continued presence in our classrooms and studios as a visiting
> artist.
>
> During the unveiling of the artist's video game exhibition, "Virtual
> Jihadi," important concerns surfaced that the work may be based on a
> product of Al Qaeda, and questions were raised regarding its legality
> and its consistency with the norms and policies of the Institute. The
> university is considering various factors relating to the exhibition,
> and has suspended it pending a more complete review of its origin,
> content, and intent.
>
> Rensselaer fully supports academic and artistic freedom. The question
> under review regards the use of university resources to provide a
> platform for what may be a product of a terrorist organization or
> which suggests violence directed toward the President of the United
> States and his family.
>
> William N. Walker
> Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Relations
>
>