Bazaaro: Seeking Conversation, not Coercion

I'm writing to engage in the public conversation around Amanda Benton's submission to the alumni art show on display in the Wesley Chapel Art Gallery.  I'm a faculty member who appreciated Benton's participation as a student in my classes, and also a Houghton art alum who has work displayed in the alumni show. I encouraged Benton to send this work to the show, and I am proud to see it being displayed alongside some of my own works. I'm not writing to complain that some people find offense in Benton's work. I myself find the subjects addressed by the work to be offensive, and the images make me uncomfortable. I don't think my young daughter should spend any time looking at it.

Yet I agree with those who think strong reactions are a validation of Benton's work, because these feelings of offense and discomfort are familiar to me at Houghton. I hardly experience a day here which doesn't include a challenging or disturbing set of ideas. I have been challenged and even deeply offended by the presentation of ideas from people in our departments of religion, biology, political science, the Shakespeare Players, Student Life, chapel speakers – all of these arenas and more have confronted me with material that challenged or upset me.