One of the banned books
“When a village ceases to be a community, it becomes oppressive in its narrow conformity. So one becomes an individual and migrates to the city. There, finding others like-minded, one re-establishes a village community. Nowadays only New Yorkers are yokels.” Paul Goodman 1911-1972
Last Saturday Suvo was the only artist displaying artwork in the Plaza. As a demonstration of First Amendment Rights, an eight foot wide bookstand was set up offering for sale art, political, philosophical and history books and magazines. Art In The Market hoped to raise some funds to help pay for our legal defense. After the officer assigned to watch him (overtime at 30 dollars an hour) checked out. Two bicycle cops approached and cited Suvo 100 dollars for offering "goods" for sale in the Plaza. He was told that the new policy was no longer to send the "vendor" packing or to jail but to permit continuing the "offensive"activity after a ticket is issued. "One ticket a day and you can continue what you are doing". Suvo was relieved that he and his dog Karl did not have to spend the night in jail again. This time the police did not confiscate his art and the protest signs and flyers were left undisturbed. Perhaps our city administration has decided to evolve from totalitarian to benevolently autocratic. No books or magazines were purchased (tourists and locals bought the funny posters) after eight hours but Suvo saw lots of five dollar ice cream cones walking past.
Magazines: Smithsonian Magazine - Art in America - ArtNews - Art Forum
A sample of Books : Good Dog Carl by Alexandra Day- Growing Up Absurd by Paul Goodman - Empire by Gore Vidal- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - The Jesus Plot by Stanley Holzer, The Bible by various authors - The Way of the Buddha by Thurman- In His Own Write by John Lennon and a number of others .
Posters with caricatures of the city commission
The First Amendment does not apply in the nation's oldest public space. One minor success......we can display and sell our art or books as long as we pay the city $100.00 a day.
These magazines and books will be donated to Friends of the Library
hey, Suvo, its Harp saying hi. I have been following the events on artin the market. it saddens me to read that no more art can be sold in the plaza.Ipray that some kind of sollution can be resolved. Hey give me an e mail harpmark@yahoo.com. i heard from bill.He is travelling in his van.I am hanging in Tampa, playing in ybor city. they love my harmonica.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that the solution to the problem is to fight fire with fire (at least in our professional opinon). If some choose to pray for a solution to the situation...
ReplyDeleteI suppose that all of us IS the solution.
If the city chooses to prohibit freedom, then WE will prohibit the city............
-Aramal Malik INVERSEHALO
Suvo, you didn't tell me you were selling books on philosophy!!!!
VERY TEMPTING!
Hey pal, I have paid my dues in this stupid little town of yours, 2 years of playing harmonica 50 feet off of George st. Where it is almost impossible to make any tips. So how many tickets have you been given? How many times have you been arrested? I myself got 2 tickets, and pushed getting aressted to the edge of the envelope. So there. Harpmark.
ReplyDeleteMy comment wasn't to intended to insult or deny your claim. My apologies...
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know that my compassion for the situation goes out to ALL of you.
I happen to enjoy your harmonica playing. It adds to a wonderful atmosphere which speaks to me. Next, time i see you we will speak together. I'm the man in the long black coat...
Aramal Malik
Inversehalo
Oh, I also am sorry for snapping at you.And sorry for saying stupid little town of yours.I belive in my heart of hearts that It isnt the towns fault as a whole, that is responsible for the actions of a few @#%* heads that are responsible for treading on our rights.I also commend you for yer gusto.Maybe I will visit again, ontil then salutations,fight on.
ReplyDelete