By Jennifer Vazquez—
Daniel Ruiz, 24, Painting/Drawing major from Bayonne, was once again faced with the infamous controversy over the removal of his painting, Mommy I Hate Them Too, at the “Diversity In Art Forum” held Tuesday, April 10, in GSUB 125 from 4pm-6pm.
The painting depicts a little girl holding a sign that reads “The Juice killed Jesus,” with a cross surrounded by fruits. It was removed from display in December provoking art students to claim the painting was censored.
Just as one would expect, the place was packed. Students and faculty came in impressive numbers to hear a varied panel selection.
The panelists were Art Professor Raymond Statlander, Theology Adjunct Professor Alfonse Borysewicz, Art Adjunct Professor Gerardo Castro, Cantor Marsha Dubrow, Ph.D. and Cantor at the Congregation B’nai Jacob, Art Professor Emeritus Ben Jones, Philosophy Adjunct Professor Jonathan Pickle, and VP and Associate Executive Director of the American Conference on Diversity Linda Tondow.
Introductory remarks were by President Carlos Hernandez and Art Department Chair Herb Rosenberg, and Assistant Dean Amani Jennings was moderator.
The forum started with opening remarks from Ruiz who discussed how his purpose for the painting was to explore color.
Castro, who taught the class where Ruiz’s piece was made, discussed how the painting was removed.
“I was never aware of the situation, and I think that after 14 years I could have gotten a call [about the painting being removed],” said Castro.
Statlander, who took down the painting, was more concerned with the intent of the piece itself. He said, “The topic I want to talk about is the meaning of the words. That’s not a painting, that’s language.”
While recalling his initial response to the painting, Statlander said,”the total feeling was sickening. I became annoyed and angry that this class put up with this sneaky propaganda.”
Pickle felt that the main issue was the removal of the piece; he did not appreciate nor find the work offensive.
“I merely want to assert that it is offensive and incorrect to my capacity as a thinking, rational, and reflective creature that I was not allowed to determine this for myself,” said Pickle.
Borysewicz and Tondow were more concerned with the artist’s intent while Jones urged the importance of communication and spoke against the painting’s removal.
“You ever go see a film and you say ‘this is horrible?’ But, you didn’t say that film didn’t have the right to exist,” said Jones.
Artist Duda Penteado paid special attention to Daniel in his remarks, warning him to be ready to defend his controversial art in the future.
After almost two hours of the panelists’ opening remarks, the floor was open for questions. Kory Martinez, 25, Painting/Drawing major from Newark, directed her comments to the art department, said no one ever offered a solution. “So, just by taking it down, what did you expect from [Ruiz] and all art students?” Martinez didn’t receive a set answer.
Rafal Rogoza, 25, Political Science major from Jersey City, made an impact with the audience and panelists alike with his honest confession of growing up in an anti-Semitic environment. He expressed that seeing the painting would have challenged him and allowed for necessary conversation.
“I know the way I was brought up and the way people made me feel towards you is wrong [referring to Statlander], but I don’t know how to deal with it. How do you help people like me?” said Rogoza.
Statlander’s “…through meditation…” response left much to be desired, according to Rogoza.
“I think what I said was very strong so I’m sure he wasn’t ready to respond to what I said and maybe, he even missed my point. But I think he definitely didn’t answer my question,” said Rogoza.
Even so, Rogoza still felt that his honesty was positive for Statlander and other Jewish people at the forum by giving them a different perspective. “If we don’t talk about things so sensitive, we really are wasting our time,” said Rogoza.
Though many students felt the panelists’ responses to Rogoza’s question lacked luster, a majority of the students and faculty were just glad the forum didn’t turn into a blood bath.
“I was surprised that nobody was yelling at anybody, so it was nice that it was respectful,” said Kristy Lopez, 21, Art History major from Union.
Others thought the forum was less successful.
“I don’t know, it was a good attempt but I don’t think anything was resolved and it was an overall failure,” said Filipe Barros, 30, Graphic Design major from North Arlington.
The organizer of the event, MFA student and Fitness Center Coordinator Sergio Villamizar said, “I think it was successful, we were able to give this important topic the recognition it deserved. Daniel and the people who attended the panel were able to listen to different points of view and become a little more sensitive to other cultures and other religions. Diversity is a difficult and often controversial topic, but one we should not shy away from.”
VP of Student Affairs John Melendez, who also helped form this program, was impressed and felt he got something valuable out of it. “I ended up being challenged in my assumption that it [the painting] was bad. It wasn’t bad. I don’t agree with it, but I now understand why Professor Statlander thought he should take it down,” said Melendez.
If the forum did anything, it made people aware that, as Melendez said, “There will be a lot more second guessing before anyone just takes [artwork] down.”
