Art or Racism? Danish Art Project Sparks Criticism

A Danish performance art project aimed at combating discrimination and celebrating diversity, has been deemed racist in Sweden.

The project titled “Through Different Eyes” which was designed to give “a deeper understanding of discrimination”, was removed from the Malmö Festival, after a petition accusing the project of racism got more than 200 signatures.

The project invites the public to have their appearance altered by make-up artists so they can temporarily become someone of another race. Those who join then walk around in a crowded public space to experience what it feels like to be in someone else’s skin.

According to The Local, the project leader said, “This is a project that celebrates diversity. We work with make-up artists and provide all kinds of transformations: from white to brown, brown to white, man to woman and woman to man. We are also looking in to transforming from young to old to address the age discrimination.”

Organizers of the Malmö Festival have apologised for the project. “We apologise if people feel aggrieved and we have taken the criticism seriously. This part of the programme took an unexpected turn and we have decided to cancel it.”

What’s your take?

 

Photo Credit: Anna Andrea Malzer via The Local