The Smithsonian Video Controversy

Last week the Smithsonian Institution removed David Wojnarowicz's video titled "Fire in My Belly" from a privately funded exhibit entitled Hide/Seek at the National Portrait Gallery. The video can be viewed online at YouTube but is only open to those who have an account they can sign into on the site.

The video begins with a crucifix with the figure of Jesus on it lying on the ground and covered with crawling ants. A beginning that upset the Catholic League, a group which does not receive funding from the Catholic Church. The video also contains other potentially disturbing images such as a representation of a mouth being sewn shut. The image of the ant-covered Christ appears periodically throughout the clip. The video, which was posted to YouTube in 2007, but has recently been receiving many views and comments, was created in 1987 while Mr. Wohnarowicz was dying of AIDS. John Boehner, the incoming House Speaker who is from Ohio, speaking through a representative, requested that the Smithsonian remove the video from the exhbit. The Smithsonian may have felt threatened by a cut to funding if they failed to comply due to his wording which included the phrase "be prepared to face tough scrutiny. The rest of the video will remain up until February 13th, as previously planned.