"> Name: Massachusetts Town Hall Employees Object to Nude Images

Date: 1995 - present

Location: North America

SubjectNudity

MediumMixed Media


Artist: Various

Confronting Bodies: Orleans town hall employees

Date of Action: 1995

Specific Location: Orlans, Massachusetts

Description of Artwork: The exhibit, "Forms and Figures," featured forty works by numerous local artists. The images ranged from flowers and buildings to male and female nudes. According to Linda Collins of the Orleans Cultural Council, only one of the nudes was depicted realistically.



Description of Incident: Town hall employees complained and anonymously covered the nude works. Some complained that the nudes were inappropriate for the work place. These employees asked that the council enact a policy restricting nudes.



Results of Incident: The proposed restritions were ruled unconstitutional. The town's Board of Selectmen decided to install works on free standing walls that can be positioned so employees are not forced to view them.



Source: Artistic Freedom Under Attack, 1996

Submitted By: NCAC


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