Midsumma event pulled
Midsumma has labelled a decision by Darebin City Council to reject the name of an artwork titled Gay RSL as “heavy handed.”
Melbourne artists Sam Salvidge and Alex Ettling had planned to project a collage featuring famous gay identities — including Val Eastwood — on the Northcote Town Hall wall, but have withdrawn the work because the council rejected the artwork’s title.
Midsumma general manager Adam Lowe stressed the festival’s relationship with Darebin Council was still strong, however said the decision was surprising.
“I think it’s a little bit disappointing we’ve ended up in a situation where the event has been withdrawn,” he told the Star Observer.
“I mentioned that particular work at the [Midsumma] launch event because I felt it was a great thing for Midsumma to have something that was recognising the simple idea that people have given of themselves before us today, and we should remember the work of those people whether it was in battle on some foreign soil or whether it was in battle or in politics on home soil.”
A council spokeswoman denied it had requested the name change because of the reference to homosexuality, saying it was following its curatorial policy and was not satisfied the artists had permission from the RSL to use the title.
Last month the Preston Leader broke the story and reported RSL Victorian branch chief executive Michael Annett as saying the title “might well” cause members offense and he didn’t believe the RSL’s values were aligned with the Midsumma.
Annett told the Star Observer the council had not been in touch with him to check if the name would cause offence, but said the RSL guarded the title “pretty jealously”.
“It doesn’t matter who it is, the RSL only uses the title for activities that directly support our core objects and members,” he said.
Lowe said the two organisations, although established for very different purposes, did have some common ground.
“If, as human beings you looked at that common desire [to recognise] those who’ve committed a past service to any community, I think if we all look at it from that point of view, our values are in line with the RSL’s.”
Salvidge, who still intends to exhibit the work elsewhere during the festival, said she was disappointed.
“It was something we thought was a thoughtful piece that reflected on the hardships queer activists have faced throughout history,” she said.
“It seems like a backward bureaucratic decision that’s not taking into account the fact that queer people have had to fight in the past to retain their identity and to express themselves.
“Not letting us use the term RSL seems to be overly prohibitive when we were actually trying to celebrate our history and certainly not denigrate anybody else.”
Surely the question must be asked: Why should the RSL be offended by a gays evoking their name as a cultural icon? That seems like the logical question for those defending the RSL. Come on, is there something so abhorrent about queer people that the letters RSL could ever be considered being used by a gay?
I must say I support the decision of the RSL.
You would think anyone seeking to use the name of any organisation or person would at least pay them the courtesy of requesting permission before taking any such action.
Nobody doubts the admirable service of many current and past members of the GLBT community in the service of the Nation, including the RSL, but endeavouring to align the RSL with a Midsumma event without permission only smacks of controversy.
It is a lovely tribute to remember Val Eastwood et al for their support and contributions to the advancement of our community and I do applaud the motivation behind this event … so well done for the concept, and hopefully some common sense and courtesy will prevail in bringing this event back to Midsumma.
I am not sure using politically charged titles for works of art does a lot for the art in this instance.
Everyone knows there are Same-Sex attracted Returned Service people, but I think we should at least respect the organization, and seek permission to use their logo and name. Why not involve them in the development of the artwork?
This is not McDonalds or Pepsi or even Campbells Soup. It is a group of Australians who have often paid a great price so we might have great freedoms. But I think with those freedoms comes a responsibility to respect those that made the sacrifice to give us freedom.
I ache for the Civil Rights of our community, but also respect those that gave me freedom.
While I see both sides to this however I feel compelled as a ex-serviceman of 14 years to with the RSL.
The RSL represents all the men and women, the widows and widowers of returned servicemen that have put their lives (literally) on the line for protection and service of their country and it’s people.
I have also been a long time advocate for the rights of the GLBT community but it is not equal to the sacrifice to one’s country. The RSL in this day and age are fighting for the recognition of the many GLBT that served their country, past and present – we should respect the RSL and what it represents.
Surely there is another creative that can be used without denigrating a symbol that means so much to so many regardless of sexual preference.