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Four photos by a famous artist Sally Mann were recently faraway from the partitions of an exhibit on the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth on the behest of local Republican officials who claimed it was child pornography. Fort Worth police are actually investigating the allegation.

These photos – taken greater than 30 years ago – show Mann's children posing naked on the family's distant farm in rural Virginia. They were included in an exhibition entitled “Diaries of the homeland“, which also featured images from renowned photographers LaToya Ruby Frazier, Nan Goldin and Catherine Opie, amongst others.

One of the confiscated photos shows her son's naked torso dripping with a melted popsicle, evoking the innocence and messiness of childhood. In one other picture, Mann's naked daughter tiptoes across a tabletopwhich evokes each her strength and her vulnerability.

For many years these works have aroused admiration and, yes, condemnation.

I’m a art historianand mine latest book documents the rise of art censorship after the passage of the National Act first federal law against obscenity in 1873, which became often known as the Comstock Act after its chief lobbyist, Christian evangelical activist Anthony Comstock.

Today, the Comstock Act is within the news largely since it bans abortion drugs, which were considered a type of obscenity alongside erotic images, sculptures, and sex toys. But within the law's early years, it was used to confiscate large amounts of art and literature that were considered offensive, obscene or erotic. Although this kind of censorship has since been deemed unconstitutional by various U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Debates over What constitutes obscenity, child pornography, and artistic expression stays.

For me, the events surrounding the removal of Mann's photographs are paying homage to a censored past.

Evangelical foundations

Throughout Comstock's profession, evangelical Christians were probably the most ardent supporters of his work; They were behind the creation of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vicewho financed his investigations.

Comstock's censorship campaigns varied. Sometimes he was concerned with nudity Drawings, paintings and sculptures. But also relatively tame Photos of actresses in pantyhose drew his wrath.

In Fort Worth, Objections arose by local Christian activists and organizations. Chief amongst them was the Danbury Institute, which wrote one open letter to the Fort Worth Museum, accusing Mann's photographs of “normalizing pedophilia” and the exhibition more broadly of promoting “the breakdown of the God-ordained definition of family” through its depiction of LGBTQ parents Mission statementthe Institute declares that “Holy Scripture is authoritative, infallible, infallible and sufficient.”

Comstock also believed that “God’s Law” must be the guiding standard for American jurisprudence. To justify the confiscation and destruction of an infinite variety of images and objects throughout his 43-year profession, Comstock often claimed to have done so Fight against Satan.

His efforts gained widespread popularity when it got here to the sexually explicit images circulating in bars and saloons. But he eventually ran afoul of Americans' more liberal and pluralistic attitudes when he targeted art and popular culture.

Courts expand freedom of expression

As the twentieth century progressed, the Comstock Act lost most of its effectiveness.

Judges and juries increasingly upheld civil liberties claims in cases involving freedom of expression, significantly expanding the scope of the law First Amendment.

In 1973, the Supreme Court struck down the law three-part “test” for obscenity. The final point of this test states that a piece just isn’t obscene if it has “serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.”

In my view, there is no such thing as a credible claim that Mann's long-celebrated photographs lack serious artistic value.

After the removal of Mann's photographs Art advocate have quickly identified that the seized images will be seen on outstanding museum web sites across the country. The National Coalition Against Censorship And Artists in peril The organization made strong statements in support of the exhibition of Mann's photographs.

The Fort Worth Sheriff's Office, which holds the photographs, is reportedly investigating whether or not they violate the photographs Texas Child Pornography Law. However, since Mann's photographs don’t depict sexual acts, the one phrase on this state law that may very well be considered relevant is “indecent exposure,” where “indecent” is defined as intent to stimulate sexual desire.

Here the context is crucial. As one among the critics of the removal of Mann's works identified“Almost everyone reading this can easily differentiate between going to a museum and opening Pornhub.”

By selectively removing a few of Mann's photographs from the exhibit, suspecting that they might have been child pornography, Texas officials removed them from their context as artistic endeavors. In doing so, they introduced the images to an audience who would never have seen them in an art museum, but who may now seek for them online with prurient intent.

Once again I can't help but see a connection to Comstock's crusades. His efforts backfired to some extent because the targets of his anger fell away Student drawings of nude models To Birth control literatureShe ended up gaining more publicity than she would have otherwise.

Curators also play a task

Despite legal protections, curators are still sensitive to how artworks might offend viewers and have developed a variety of practices to accommodate this sensitivity.

Three years ago, I interviewed curators and directors at academic art museums and galleries across the country as a companion on the National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement on the University of California.

My research focused on how museum professionals approach the exhibition of probably controversial artworks. They talked to me about different best practices. For example, prominently displayed content warnings allow viewers to decide on to affix the exhibition or avoid it altogether. Thoughtful placement of works and extra commentary add context and encourage thought and discussion.

The curators of Diaries of Home clearly adhered to those best practices.

They stated the destination of her exhibition: “to examine conceptions of home in all their complexity” and to present the perspectives of girls, LGBTQ and non-binary artists and topics. A content warning was visible to the audience before entering the gallery: “This exhibition depicts adult themes that may be sensitive to some viewers.” Museum staff provided wall lettering, tours and artist talks.

These contributions situate the artworks on display inside a broader conversation about families in contemporary America that fluctuate in composition, definition, and lifestyle.

In other words, they show that these are serious, thoughtful artistic endeavors.

While I cannot imagine that there shall be a successful prosecution, I do think that damage has been done. That can have been a goal from the beginning.

The threat of legal motion undoubtedly has a deterrent effect. The Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth has one to contend with potential lack of donors. Responding to official and public critics requires time, money and energy.

In Comstock's time, civil rights activists, artists, and humanities organizations rose to the challenge of defending their freedom of expression.

Anyone who values ​​artistic expression today could have to follow of their footsteps.

By THOMAS ADAMSON

PARIS (AP) — Five years after a devastating fire reduced Notre-Dame Cathedral to a smoldering shell, journalists got their first have a look at the fully restored interior of the Gothic masterpiece during a visit with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The transformation is nothing in need of breathtaking: light dances across radiant stone, gilded accents shine anew, and the majesty of the enduring monument is reborn. From December eighth, visitors can once more marvel on the cathedral's mixture of history and craftsmanship.

Here's a reporter's perspective:

Nave: sensible stone

The nave, once darkened by soot and rubble, now radiates a heavenly glow. Visitors can see the true color of the cathedral's partitions: a lightweight Lutetic limestone – named after the Roman word for Paris, Lutecia – that glows in the daylight streaming through restored stained glass windows. The newly discovered blonde tones accentuate the tall Gothic columns and ribbed vaults, making a brilliant and uplifting atmosphere. Restorers say it’s the primary time in centuries that the true stone has been exposed in this manner.

The polished checkerboard marble floor, which shines underfoot, is so smooth it seems like you possibly can glide across it – and communicates with the choir area's gilded gold lattice partition.

Glowing chandeliers hang majestically from each vaulted arch, stretching from west to east, casting a warm, golden light across all the nave.

The meticulous restoration process included cleansing over 42,000 square meters of stone – an area such as about six football fields – using modern latex scrubs to remove centuries-old dirt without causing damage. Restorers discovered masonry marks engraved by medieval builders – intimate traces of the craftsmen who designed Notre Dame within the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

This sensible transformation stands in stark contrast to the rubble of 2019, when the nave was suffering from charred rubble.

Altar: Lead melted into the hand of Christ

The altar within the cathedral's choir bears a poignant symbol of the fireplace's devastation. The Pietà by Nicolas Coustou, a part of the ensemble “Vœu de Louis” The restorers decided to preserve this as a subtle but powerful reminder of the tragedy.

The ornate inlaid floor surrounding the altar, long hidden beneath layers of dirt, was assembled from fragments salvaged after the fireplace.

Nearby, the polished Cross of Glory, which famously glowed – literally – amid the flames, now shines in its full glory. Framed by the radiant blonde masonry of the nave, the cross serves because the centerpiece of the cathedral's rebirth.

Organ: A Complex Revival

The large organ, which is certainly one of the biggest and most traditional in France, has undergone an in depth revival. Spared from the flames but covered in lead dust, the 8,000 pipes, which ranged in size from that of a pencil to over 10 meters (33 feet) tall, were fastidiously disassembled, cleaned and retuned. Over two years, this work was performed with precision within the quiet, cavernous interior of the cathedral, where harmonization was done entirely by ear.

Now the majesty of the organ is unmistakable. Its soaring picket casing, decorated with carvings by earlier craftsmen, shines in the daylight streaming through the restored clerestory windows. Even in silence it inspires awe.

Chapels: murals rediscovered

The 29 chapels surrounding the nave and choir burst with color and detail previously dulled by dirt and neglect. Restorers revealed intricate murals, gilded stars on the ceiling and vivid motifs originally created under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Each chapel tells a novel story through its design and themes.

A masterpiece is the Chapel of Saint Marcel, whose wall painting with the saint's relics has been vividly restored. The brilliant colours enchant visitors and create an effect comparable to the Sistine Chapel in Rome – a visible fireworks display. In other chapels, traces of paint samples from Nineteenth century painters hidden in niches provide insights into their artistic creative process.

Transept crossing: reconstruction under pressure

The transept crossing, where the unique tower collapsed, presented certainly one of the best challenges of the restoration. Above, soaring latest vaults of Lutetic limestone reproduce the medieval originals with remarkable precision.

Beneath the crossing, archaeologists uncovered a treasure trove of history: fragments of Notre Dame's medieval jubé, or choir cabinet, buried within the rubble. These intricately carved stones, a few of which still show faint traces of polychrome painting, offer a rare glimpse into the cathedral's vibrant decorative history from the thirteenth century.

Roof, spire and security measures

The newly restored roof looks skyward, where medieval woodworking techniques have been faithfully recreated. The intricate picket framework often known as “the forest” stays hidden beneath the roofline, but a glance into the rafters reveals the precision of each ancient and modern craftsmanship.

Outside, the tower rises 96 meters and is a faithful replica of Viollet-le-Duc's Nineteenth-century design. It is paneled in oak and lead and topped by a gilded rooster containing relics of St Denis, St Genevieve and a fraction of the Crown of Thorns, alongside a scroll listing contributors to the restoration.

The tower also honors the late General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who led the project until his death in 2023. His name is now engraved on the bottom.

There is more to this restoration than meets the attention. Notre Dame now has unprecedented, state-of-the-art fire protection systems to stop future disasters. Thermal imaging cameras monitor the roof and a high quality mist system designed to extinguish flames at their source is seamlessly integrated into the structure. Fire barriers divide the roof into sections, stopping flames from spreading.

Reinforced water supply lines can deliver 21,188 cubic feet of water per hour, ensuring the cathedral is healthier protected than ever before.

___

For more on AP's coverage of Notre Dame, visit https://apnews.com/hub/notre-dame-cathedral

Originally published: November 29, 2024 at 8:56 am PST

By Tierney Sneed, CNN

(CNN) – Two women who claim they were paid for sex Former Rep. Matt Gaetz provided House ethics investigators with “numerous” photos related to time they spent with the Florida Republican, a lawyer for the ladies said Tuesday, including from an alleged trip to New York in 2019.

The women said they were paid by the previous congressman for sex on that trip, during which in addition they accompanied Gaetz at a Fox News studio while he filmed a television appearance, their attorney Joel Leppard told CNN's Erin Burnett on “OutFront.” “. Gaetz also allegedly covered the ladies's travel expenses, Leppard said.

The women also provided the House Ethics Committee with selfies that Gaetz allegedly sent them, in line with their lawyer. They also said they sent Gaetz nude photos, sometimes at his request, Leppard said.

Gaetz was recently tapped President-elect Donald Trump named him his attorney general and resigned from Congress last week, effectively ending the ethics investigation against him. The panel had been investigating allegations of misconduct against Gaetz, including “sexual misconduct and illegal drug use,” and is considering releasing a report on its findings.

When asked by the committee whether or not they had ever felt pressured by Gaetz, Leppard said considered one of his clients testified that she felt the necessity to “please” the then-congressman before she met throughout the New York visit Attended electronic music show.

CNN has reached out to Gaetz for comment. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Leppard's account of the deposition provides further insight into the evidence the House committee collected in its investigation, which was conducted along with a criminal investigation by the Justice Department. Federal prosecutors declined to charge Gaetz – a choice the previous congressman has pointed to as he vehemently defended the allegations, which include an allegation that he had sex with a then-underage woman who later testified in each investigations has rejected.

“Merrick Garland's Justice Department has cleared Matt Gaetz and has not filed charges against him,” a spokesman for Gaetz told CNN last week.

As the Senate prepares to formally consider Gaetz for the role of attorney general, Democrats and a few Republicans are demanding access to the House panel's report. After Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress following Trump's election announcement, the committee postponed its meetings discuss the publication of the report The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has said previously that he would stay out of the Ethics Committee's affairs, has opposed the discharge of the report.

Leppard noted that the House panel heard testimony from several other witnesses.

“The evidence before the House is, in my opinion, overwhelming because my clients were only two of the other witnesses, and there are very important witnesses who have not yet come out and previewed the findings of the House Ethics Committee. “show,” he said.

According to the attorney, House investigators asked the 2 women for records they obtained that showed payments, mostly transmitted electronically, that were allegedly made to them by Gaetz. Leppard said records show considered one of his clients received greater than $6,000 and the opposite received greater than $4,000 from the congressman.

“What I’m telling you is just a fraction of the evidence available, the thousands of documents,” Leppard said.

CNN's Annie Grayer contributed to this report.

The CNN Wire
& © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery company. All rights reserved.

Originally published: November 20, 2024 at 5:50 pm PST

Originally published: November 18, 2024 at 6:19 pm PST

Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington join director Ridley Scott and King Charles III on the Royal Film Performance of “Gladiator II” on the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square on November 13, 2024.

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