Plans for a "Free the Mural: Stop the Censorship" protest this weekend have been dropped after the state agreed to remove a black curtain shrouding the "Forgotten Inheritance" mural at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority President Mike McCartney authorized the draping of the public artwork on the night of Sept. 4, in response to objections from some Native Hawaiians who found its depiction of bones in the sand offensive. But his decision proved more controversial than the mural itself, and on Thursday he announced it would go back on public display soon.
The reversal was welcomed by the artist, Hans Ladislaus, and others who had protested the censorship of a piece that had been a part of the convention center since the facility was built 16 years ago.
"Today is a good day for art lovers and free thinkers and, actually, host culture advocates," said Bill Meyer, an attorney specializing in intellectual property who represents Ladislaus. Meyer said it appeared that those who covered the artwork were not aware of the Visual Artists Rights Act, a federal law passed in 1990 that protects against modification or mutilation of works of visual art.
"I think they became a little more acquainted with the nuances of the law, and upon further reflection concluded it was not appropriate to shroud the artwork," he said Thursday. "In fact, Mr. McCartney, on behalf of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the state of Hawaii, conveyed his sincere apology for having taken these steps, and my client welcomed and fully accepted that apology."
It is not clear when the covering, which included pieces of wood bolted to the wall and numerous panels of cloth, will be removed. Meyer said it appeared that the mural had not been damaged, and the state had assured his client that the mural would remain in place.
The 10-by-25-foot sculpture, built into the wall on the third floor of the center, was designed to reflect the artist’s concern that Hawaii’s people are losing touch with their heritage. It is an abstract panorama incorporating a map of the island chain and various symbols, including stylized images of bones in sand at its far edge.
As part of the agreement, Ladislaus will meet with those who objected to the mural, including Paulette Kaleikini, an advocate for the protection of human remains threatened by development. Traditionally, Hawaiians believed the bones of their ancestors contained spiritual power and hid them from public view. The bones depicted in the mural are symbolic images made of plaster.
Kaleikini did not return a call seeking comment Thursday. Her attorney, Moses Haia, said, "In both my personal and professional capacity, my duty is and will remain ensuring that the remains of my ancestors are treated with the proper dignity, respect and reverence they so clearly deserve."
Ladislaus was one of 14 Hawaii artists commissioned by the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to create pieces for the center. He said the selection process was intense and that many committees approved each stage of the mural project, including a committee of Native Hawaiians.
"No flags were ever raised," he said.
The decision to cover the artwork provoked an outcry. Nanette Napoleon, a writer and graveyard historian who is Native Hawaiian, and others had planned a "Free the Mural" protest rally at the convention center Saturday but called it off when the agreement was reached.
"This whole situation is really appalling and shocking, that the mural was allowed to be covered up," Napoleon said. "Mike McCartney had no authority to do such a thing. He did it unilaterally on the testimony and complaints of a couple of people. He allowed private citizens to go in there to erect this cloak."
Nancy Ladislaus, the artist’s wife, said she and her husband have been heartened by the emails and calls of support they have received from Hawaiian people and artists, even from people they don’t know. "It’s just been wonderful," she said.
The agreement followed meetings involving various stakeholders, including representatives of the artist, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the attorney general’s office and the arts foundation, which owns the work.
"We want to thank everyone for their patience, understanding, and willingness to work towards an agreeable solution to this very difficult issue," McCartney said in a written statement.
In a commentary on his website after his artwork was covered, Ladislaus wrote: "I am a believer in the value of cultures threatened everywhere. I attempt to make an issue of this awareness in my art.
"As an artist, I demand a certain amount of respect for my own rights to express myself within the public domain if I’ve been asked and paid to do so. No one has a right to dislodge or cover up that expression that so many have supported for so long. They DO have the right however to think what they like and then walk on."
