In 2017, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lyon, France, was forced to remove Algerian artist Adel Abdessemeds video Printemps after a social media outcry.
The video features a row of chickens being engulfed in CGI fire. Labelled a barbaric deviance by one Twitter user, Printemps was deemed by the court of Twitter opinion to depict explicit animal cruelty.
The gallery called this an unfair trial Abdessemed had been engaged in animal rights activism for years before this exhibition, according to Artnet.
Disdain for stifling the public display of possibly contentious or unpalatable artworks has echoed across the ages and geographies. It is the inspiration for Sisonke Gallerys exhibition Unfiltered , which will be shown at the Heat Festival, a 12-day arts event in Cape Towns CBD.
Until 21 July, the Heat Festival brings together 15 exhibitions, united in presenting artworks relating to a central theme Common Ground. Celebrating community lies at the centre of the programming ranging from visual arts to theatre productions, opera and jazz shows, stand-up comedy and dance workshops.
