Modeled after the famed Guerilla Girls, who are known for their provocative art, the group of 12 senior artists has chosen pseudonyms to hide their identities. They choose to remain anonymous to emphasize that their work represents all women, not just themselves. The Administration and art department officials applauding of the resulting dialogue, in an attempt to appease the artists and the people who complained, is unfounded. While a dialogue over censorship has begun, the actual intent of the piece has been diminished. The conversation is no longer directed at the artwork or the intended meaning to celebrate, reclaim, and make public the parts of our bodies that are too often sexualized, belittled, hidden or misunderstood, as the artist statement posted by the exhibit states. Instead the discussion revolves around the titillation of female body parts and their appropriate placement. The art department should take a public stand against the hypocritical censorship inflicted on the female portraits. They should pay the same respect to sexually sensitive art issues as the large anti-war replica of Picassos Guernica depicting violence that currently hangs in Buntrock. When did violence become more acceptable than sexuality? We applaud the senior womens art exhibit for portraying a controversial topic with maturity and sensitivity. They have truly surpassed the Administrations ability to deal with delicate subject matter in a responsible fashion. We challenge the artists and the St. Olaf community to raise the bar and to promote the discussion of controversial topics beyond Vagina Week, when it was politically correct to embrace sexuality and gender issues. Acceptance isnt necessary, but respect is. Keep the dialogue. Lose the ignorance.

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