extremists, the San Francisco Art Institute announced today that the public discussion on
Adel Abdessemed’s exhibition Don’t Trust Me, scheduled for Monday, 31 March, has been
cancelled. For the same reasons, the exhibition itself, which was temporarily suspended on
Wednesday, 26 March, has now been permanently closed.
“We unconditionally repudiate the threats against SFAI,” stated President Chris Bratton: “My
first concern is with the safety and security of SFAI’s students, faculty, staff, and their families,
as well as members of the public that regularly visit the campus. In light of the violent threats by
extremists against this institution, we are unfortunately forced to cancel any public discussion or
display regarding this artwork.”
Soon after it opened, the Abdessemed exhibition became the subject of an orchestrated campaign
by a number of animal-rights groups, including Animal Liberation Front (ALF), In Defense of
Animals (IDA), and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). One result of this
campaign was a parallel onslaught of explicit death threats and threats of sexual violence—as
well as racial, religious, and homophobic slurs—against SFAI staff members and their families.
The swift escalation from controversy to credible threats has regrettably forced SFAI to make a
decision unprecedented in its 137-year history.
“Though we’ve decided to take this action,” continued President Bratton, “SFAI stands behind
the exhibition as an instance of a long-standing and serious commitment, on SFAI’s part, to
reflection on, and free and open discussion of, contemporary global art and culture. As an
institution, we take seriously our responsibility to encourage and promote such dialogue.”
“The artist,” continued President Bratton, &ldquo
articipated in an already-existing circuit of food
production in a rural community in Mexico. The animals were raised for food, purchased, and
professionally slaughtered. In fact, what causes the controversy is that Abdessemed, an artist,
entered this exchange, filmed it, and exhibited it.”
“Here, then, is a case where highly local assumptions about how things are produced have come
to inform how the world itself is seen. In general, consumption in the US is fueled by things
produced out of sight and from far away. In many cultures, particularly those of the global south
including Mexico, the killing of animals for food is often direct and present, not concealed from
sight as is the case of industrialized food production here. This distinction is certainly relevant to
Don’t Trust Me. Admittedly, this is an uncomfortable confrontation for some, but is nevertheless
a real condition not only for animals, but also for the people whose lives are bound up with them.
Simply stated, it is an outrage that threats of violence have, in this case, succeeded in derailing a
public debate on issues that are critical to our everyday lives.”
Founded in 1871, SFAI is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools of higher education in
contemporary art in the US. Focusing on the interdependence of thinking, making, and learning,
SFAI’s academic and public programs are dedicated to excellence and diversity.
SFAI’s School of Studio Practice concentrates on developing the artist’s vision through studio
experiments and is based on the belief that artists are an essential part of society. It offers a BFA,
an MFA, and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Design and Technology, Film, New Genres,
Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture.
SFAI’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies is motivated by the premise that critical thinking and
writing, informed by an in-depth understanding of theory and practice, are essential for engaging
contemporary global society. It offers degree programs in History and Theory of Contemporary
Art (BA and MA), Urban Studies (BA and MA), and Exhibition and Museum Studies (MA
only).
