mediawatchwatch.org.uk

A museum in The Hague has decided not to include in an exhibition photos which might offend Muslims.

Iranian-born Sooreh Hera‘s show deals with themes of homosexuality and religion, but some of her pictures in her Adam and Ewald series proved too strong for The Gemeentemuseum’s director Wim van Krimpen, who said he wouldn’t exhibit them in the next few years because “certain people in our society might perceive it as offensive”.

It should be noted that no Muslims appear to have complained, so this looks like a classic case of craven self-censorship on the part of the museum.

The artist is understandably annoyed:

apparently a Muslim minority decides what will be on display in the museum

Without even having to say a word, it would seem.

UPDATE: (Dec 4) Flemming Rose reports that the artist herself does not see this as an example of self-censorship, but rather a reaction to threats:

Muslims have threatened the museum. But the museum is not willing to admit that this is the reason why they do not want to exhibit th

UPDATE: (Dec 7) The MuseumgoudA, in Gouda, has agreed to display the works, athough Director Ranti Tjan has not named a date yet. “We will take our time to make solid agreements.”