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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 03 > Entry
Elton pulls photos after porn concerns
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not all museums are as gracious as the High Museum of Art when it comes to exhibiting photographs owned by Peachtree Road resident Elton John.
As you’ll recall, Sir Elton’s U.S. hometown was quite receptive back in 2000, when the High hosted “Chorus of Light,” an exhibition of the pop star’s photography collection.
Last month, however, at The BALTIC Center for Contemporary Art, in Gateshead, England, the cops were called in relation to an exhibition of photos by American photographer Nan Goldin. The 149 images in the show were on loan to the gallery by John, the collection’s owner. The British gallery then turned over a photo of two naked girls to police amid child pornography concerns.
Now, the gallery is announcing that it has closed “Thanksgiving,” the Goldin installation, at John’s request.
“After the removal of one image from the series it was no longer possible for BALTIC to exhibit the collection of works as the artist intended,” the gallery said in a statement. “Therefore BALTIC is sympathetic to Sir Elton John’s request and supportive of the decision.”
The gallery alerted police Sept. 20, and authorities are investigating whether the photo violates child pornography laws, The Telegraph in London reported. Police confirmed they were looking at the picture to assess whether an offense had been committed but have declined further comment.
John, who purchased the “Thanksgiving” installation in 1999, said last week that the picture, “Klara and Edda Belly-Dancing,” had been exhibited across Europe and the United States without any objections of which he was aware.
A statement from Atlantan Jane Jackson, curator of the Elton John Photographic Collection, posted on the performer’s Web site said: “It was always intended that the installation be exhibited as a whole, and not on a piecemeal basis, and our decision has been made with regard to the artistic integrity of the work and the artist.”
O’Brien: voice of freedom
CNN’s Soledad O’Brien had a busy day in town Tuesday. Over lunch at Thrive downtown with Morehouse School of Medicine president Dr. John Maupin and Dr. Henrie Treadwell, the school’s director of Community Voices, the newswoman learned more about the Morehouse award named for her.
“The Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award reflects the courage, integrity and excellence of the woman whose work has inspired it,” explained Maupin in an
e-mailed statement sent to Buzz. “Ms. O’Brien’s accomplishments in her field, her commitment to cover stories that might otherwise go untold, and her steadfast willingness to be a voice for those in our society who are unseen and unheard set a high standard.”
O’Brien will receive the award at the inaugural Community Voices’ first Freedom’s Voice gala at the High Museum set for April 11. The soiree follows the first Freedom’s Voice conference, a three-day event “that will bring together national leaders on the issues of health care disparities and access to justice.”
“To be perfectly honest, I’m still a little overwhelmed,” O’Brien conceded to Buzz after lunch. “It’s going to be a bust of my head. My husband is telling me, ‘You will be unbearable now.’ In all seriousness though, it’s wonderful to have your hard work and the hard work of your colleagues recognized.”
On Tuesday night, O’Brien emceed the Women in Cable Telecommunications Red Letter Awards Gala at the Intercontinental Buckhead.
Drought dampens doggy wash
The state’s current drought conditions and water restrictions have resulted in some minor tweaking for the third annual dog wash charity event set for Saturday in Marietta. The fund-raiser for the Humane Society of Cobb County has been altered from a “wash” to a “brush.” From 11 a.m. to
3 p.m., volunteers will happily help groom Fido at Harry’s Farmers Market, 70 Powers Ferry Road in Marietta. Donations will be accepted.
HIGH FIVE
Television
Top downloaded TV shows Tuesday:
1. “Grey’s Anatomy” season premiere, ABC
2. “Gossip Girl” episode two, CW
3. “CSI” season premiere, CBS
4. “Chuck” pilot, NBC
5. “Ugly Betty” season premiere
— Source: iTunes
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“This is the last ‘The Hills’ I will ever have to watch?!???!? And it sort of makes me sad, because when I watch ‘The Hills’ I forget about war and poverty and basic math.”
— Out-going “The Hills” recap blogger Alex Balk on Gawker.com Tuesday, waxing eloquently about the highly addictive, brain-damaging MTV reality soap
Celebrity birthdays
Singer Chubby Checker is 66. Magician Roy Horn of Siegfried and Roy is 63. Singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac is 58. Drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) is 45. Singer Gwen Stefani of No Doubt is 38. Stone Mountain singer India Arie is 32. Actor Seann William Scott (“Dukes of Hazzard,” “American Pie”) is 31. Singer Ashlee Simpson is 23.
Contributing: News services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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