There are two necessary pillars on which to base a protest: an infringement of rights and a coherent plan for improvement. In the Atrium of the Center for the Arts on Monday, art students had neither. While their gripe about UB not doing enough in the CFA to display the talents of the art students may be legitimate, the protesters did not consider any of the reasons their work is not displayed and incorrectly assumed that protesting would do more good than would setting up a dialogue with influential administrators or presenting a plan to have their artwork displayed on a regular basis.
One of the reasons the students are dissatisfied with the CFA is what they see as preference given to non-students, such as when the building is rented out for use during piano auctions or during wedding receptions. However, the justifiable grievance about favoring private institutions over the rights of students is lost when presented through an ineffectual performance art protest. Although a protest should not be considered as a first option, when one is organized, a coherent point should be put forward. The students failed to impress upon their audience that their goal, lessening the restrictions placed upon students in the art department, was an attainable goal. Their method of protesting - destroying their own art to teach the art department a lesson - failed to affect any members of the administration who make influential decisions.
During the question-and-answer period, the artists told the audience that they wanted a new building built that they could alter in any way they see fit. Considering that the CFA was built only eight years ago and that it has state-of-the-art facilities available for student use, their viewpoint is shortsighted and selfish. The school does owe it to the students to display their artwork, but the issue of where and when is questionable. Display boards are available on the first and second floor hallways, but the students want to display their work in the Atrium. While no student art is currently on display in the Atrium, CFA authorities have said on the record that they are not opposed to doing so - although they must first be approached - and that they have done so in the past.
The protesting art students gave the impression that they believe the CFA is their own personal space, to be used as they deem fit. They failed to remember that the CFA is not used solely by painters and sculptors, but also by dancers and actors, media studies majors, and photographers, as well as other UB students.
In addition, the Atrium is often rented out to community members. When the CFA is contracted out for public events like weddings or piano sales, the students must understand that consumers renting the space might not want artwork displayed. Those renters, however, should take into consideration the inherent nature of renting an arts building on a college campus; those who do not want any student artwork whatsoever could choose a more appropriate location for such events. If both sides work to compromise, community involvement at the CFA can remain possible without angering students.
Many of the problems surrounding the current issue and the CFA are symptomatic of a lack of appreciation for the offerings at UB - the art studios in the building are a significant step up from the trailers the department used to be housed in. A solution must be reached in a way that appeases both the students who want their work shown and the CFA, which needs to show the best product to possible renters. Perhaps students should consider requesting to display their work on some or all of the white walls that could be livened by their artwork throughout campus. The wider exposure would only benefit students.
If the students are convinced that the CFA is the necessary outlet for their creativity, perhaps a compromise can be reached to allow for more Galas and expositions, where the Atrium would be made available for student artwork on certain days of each month. While the department does not hold such exhibitions currently, representatives have said they are not opposed to doing so, should students demonstrate interest.
UB's artists deserve to have their work shown on campus, and the university should take pride in its students. Protesting without structure, however, only discounts the protester's arguments and causes them to look poorly organized. The students should research their position as student artists and learn of the available options for displaying their work. They can then devise a plan that would enable them to display their work more frequently without encroaching on the other functions the CFA serves within the UB and Buffalo community.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
