Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Artist's 'fantasy passports' confiscated at airport

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) -- Fake passports created by an Austrian artist for a contemporary museum exhibit were confiscated at an airport after a customs agent thought they might be harmful if imported, government and museum officials said Tuesday.

"I think it says a lot about the condition of our world today, that everyone is understandably on the alert," said director Linda Shearer.

The items were supposed to be included in the museum's exhibit titled "State of Sabotage," which focuses on government or corporate power over the individual, Shearer said.

The items belonged to an art group headed by Vienna artist Robert Jelinek, and included what the government described as "fantasy passports," along with ink pads, rubber stamps and ink. They were taken from Jelinek's luggage February 9 in Detroit as he headed for Cincinnati.

You can read more of the ridiculous story here but also note, I believe art effectuates truth. Or is it the opposite?

1 comment:

anon said...

I read that story too. I think it says a lot about the state of our societ. I created a mock terror alert system in response. I thought you might find it amusing.