Power to the people!
When event organisers at the Barbican announced plans to show an art exhibition featuring black performers in chains, they sparked fury and caused some 20,000 protestors to sign a Change.org petition to shut down the event.
It seems the people have spoken and their voices heard as just this morning, staff made the decision to cancel the opening shows after demonstrators blockaded the entrance and road leading up to the venue in Leake Street last night.
The offending show which was due to open on Tuesday, Exhibit B, was created by Brett Bailey and takes its inspiration from 19th century human zoos in Europe. Despite it’s controversial and racist nature, it has already been displayed around Europe with one act even featuring a topless woman with a shackled tied around her neck.
Issues like this are certainly not new and while our community is often outraged at them, action is not always taken. We’re glad that on this occasion not only did we raise our voices, they were also heard.
