File spoon-archives/surrealist.archive/surrealist_1996/96-06-28.151, message 148


Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 15:28:29 -0700
From: biomorph-AT-ix.netcom.com (Wm. Dubin)
Subject: Re: surrealist exhibition etc.


Carlos,

I would tell you, that:

1) I would NEVER request that Simpson, or any other artist be kept out 
of any exhibition for any reason OTHER THAN their inability on 
aesthetic levels. The last time you wrote voicing the opinion that you 
worried that I would believe in eliminating someone because of their 
political beliefs, I answered by saying that I would not eliminate 
ANYONE because of ANY political beliefs (although you seem willing to 
eliminate nazi's, faschists, stalinists and capitolists). I will 
REPEAT... I would never eliminate Simpson based on either his political 
beliefs, or even his retrograde sexual beliefs.

2) I will however, tell you, that the incident which concerned me, and 
MY BELIEFS, contained far more than simply his not believing the same 
way as I do. They did indeed contain the DEMAND that I never contact 
him again (which hardly shows a willingness to DISCUSS), and a very 
thinly-veiled THREAT, warning me not to come to Vancouver. I take 
threats of physical violence VERY SERIOUSLY, and, considering I would 
have been in a foreign country, the idea that this person might take it 
into his head to call the police and report me as a sex criminal, is a 
pretty scary thing to face.

3) It is my belief, based on my own expierences, that were Simpson on 
this list, he could not refrain from behaviour of this sort.

4) I totally believe in each persons RIGHT to do, to see, to read, to 
draw, to paint, to love, to have sex or NOT to have sex EXACTLY in the 
manner they desire. What I DO NOT BELIEVE IN, and what I personally 
will not condone, nor do I believe it is the behaviour du Surrealiste, 
is a person who refuses to allow you  this same RIGHT.

5) You and I have some very major dissagreements, THATS WONDERFUL! 
There is nothing more boring than having the world filled with yes-men. 
You MUST disagree with me when ever you believe other than what I've 
written, but the moment you start saying I am not allowed to do 
something, or believe some way, or read some book, etc., then we are in 
another world, and THAT is what, and that is ALL I have ever objected 
to.

6) When I write that I believe Simpson should not be on this list, it 
is because he is simply to dangerous, and I mean this in terms of his 
instability and his inability to contain himself. I am telling you, 
that it is my PERSONAL opinion, that this person does not behave in a 
rational manner, and as such, his unpredictability, espically towards 
material (and people), whose sexual beliefs differ from his, would put 
any one in potential danger. I cannot speak for the other countries 
represented by this list, but currently, in America, TO BE ACCUSSED of 
being a peodiphille, IS TO BE GUILTY. The things I have written, both 
in humour, and in illustration of my drawings, could easily be used to 
accuse me of sexual crimes, and to cause me to be investigated. In MY 
WAY OF THINKING, this is the action of the faschists, and anyone who 
brings the faschists to your door, is no different from the good 
citizens of Europe who turned-in their jewish neighbors during the nazi 
period.

7) However, this list does not represent my personal wishes, and as 
such, it is up to everyone to choose what and how and who will be part. 
I can guarentee you, if Simpson is ON, then I will no longer feel free 
to write with any humour, or any honesty, or in anyway to express my 
self in the fashion I  have always done.

8) Please note: I have NOT told you to keep Simpson off this list, I 
have  told you WHY I think he shouldn't be on it. I have NOT told you 
not to write to him, or to be his friend, or to do ANYTHING in 
relationship with him, it is your own affaire... I have simply written 
a warning, based on my own expierence. I have NOT told you to keep 
Simpson, or any SINGLE PERSON out of this or any other exhibition. In 
previous posts I have written how I would handle the question... I also 
wrote that if my ideas were not agreed with by others, I would cease to 
push them, this I have done.

9) Finally, each person MUST decide, and only each person CAN decide 
anything for themselves. It is my decision, not to keep Simpson off the 
list, but to decide if I want to remain if you let him on. It is my 
decision, and mine only, to decide if I want to exhibit my art, 
REGUARDLESS of weather I am invited to do so, or I am not invited to do 
so.

I hope that this spells out my position even better than I thought I 
had been doing it, but if not, I am open to answer questions 
specifically, asked by anyone... although I retain the right to ask in 
return.

Wm.







   

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