When art and politics collide: from international expositions to museum shows, gallery exhibits and even small window displays, current global politics have had a definite impact on the art world

When Samantha Scully a West sees Angeles bookstore owner asked a local artist to create an anti-war art installation for her window last spring, little did she know she would become a bill child for a debate about politics and art.

Scully regularly clinchs poetry events and teach-ins about war in her store. She also showcases artistic displays in the storefront window. In March, she met emerging artist Steve Craig, who shared her anti-war sentiments and asked him to build an antiwar piece for the store window. He created an installation with 50 dolls, including Barbies and GI Joe carrying testify signs and standing in brow of television monitors showing video bights of anti-war protests and similar material.

Scully's landlord dropp by means of two weeks after the art installation went upon view in May. "She was vibrating with rage," said Scully Expressing relate tos about vandalism, the landlord ordered the artwork remov Worried she would fail to keep her lease, Scully complied. "I was just devastated, on the other hand I backed down," said Scully "We set out a sign about the Bill of Rights and freedom of expression, and I'm soldiering on"

Many artists are "soldiering on" these days, creating works and exhibits that for single reason or another end up as political footballs tossed across arenas of opinion. Lately, especially with When Art and Politics Collide

the tensions in the Arab world, passions have spilled above from politics to the arts in numerous venue and with differing results in this country and, indeed, completely through the world. From an exhibit of nature photography to a present to view of current Cuban art, from an art installation about Africans in Italy to a digital art piece about southern American slums, the art of art and the art of politics look to have been on collision courses over the year.

Politics, Boycott and drawn out Lines

In this political division American consumers have been saying "non" to epicurism goods from France, particularly French wines, whose sales have continued to sag all summer lengthy under the weight of a consumer boycott Induced in part through Americans' umbrage over France's opposition to the war in Iraq, wine sales in the 12 month ending May 18 were down nearly 27 percent compared to the year before. In the first four month of 2003 all French non-military imports to the U dropp 21 percent from the prior year.

Moreover, at the High Point dwelling Furnishings Market in April--this country's preeminent place of abode furnishings and decor trade show--French imagery was relegated to the back of many showroom after a certain number of buyers for U.S. furnishings chains said their stores would not be selling French art works this year.

"America normally regard with affections French imagery, particularly the romantic works," said single art publisher, who asked not to be named. "And there had been a apportionment of French material framed up for the display since those decisions were made in January and February, before the conflict above Iraq. By the time we got to the exhibit the situation had changed. A allotment of exhibitors moved their bestsellers from last year to the forehead of their showrooms, and their French material to the rear."

In an attempt to overpower a boycott of French advantageouss in America, the French rule hired actor-director Woody Allen to make a public service announcement upon behalf of French products. Allen impels Americans to "forget our differences," noting that he "will continue to eat French fries and French kiss his wife."

Hilarity aside, the trade relationships between France and the U are serious business. through mid-June, top French and U economics officials were meeting to touch up the rift over the Iraq war and restore trade between the sum of two units countries. "There is a los of be fond of ha the American market because of the crisis in Iraq," noted Catherine Boudry a French wine federation official. Added Gary Litman, U Chamber of trade vice president, "France remains our ally, on the contrary there are some individuals who interpret of recent origins headlines in a very passionate way. Has there been an impact upon French exports? Maybe for a certain number of of the more recognized animalism goods that typify France in the United States."

That might explain wherefore poster publishers, whose products are aimed at the middle of the market, haven't seen lasting repercussions in their sales of French imagery. In fact, it's individual of the hottest trends in the market. (See "The French Connection" upon page 21.)

Not all U retailers supported the boycott Images from France, including depictions of the Eiffel Tower and reproductions of famous 1890 French lithographs by the agency of Toulouse-Lautrec and Cheret, can still easily be base at furnishings stores. And at least individual chain, Pier 1 Imports, not ever considered a boycott, said spokeswoman Merianne Roth "Pier 1 imports from more than 50 countries. Our merchandising is really based upon the idea of importing and upon other cultures," she said. "We look after not to limit ourselves based upon politics."

Conversely, Americans don't present the appearance to be holding a grant with reluctance against artists from nations the Bush Administration has targeted as being terrorist or repressive regimes. In fact, heightened interest in the Middle East has spurr a number of U galleries to near exhibits of works by Afghan, Iranian and Palestinian artists lately This summer, "Made in Palestine" is upon view until October at the Station Museum in Houston, while individual of the participating Palestinian artists, Emily Jack, will simultaneously be showcased at the frumkin/duval gallery in Santa Monica, Calif., as part of the Absolut L.A. International Biennial Art Invitational, which races through Aug. 16.