Shanghai officials have shut down an exhibition by nearly 40 Chinese artists for showing 'pornographic' images and other works considered offensive, the second time an art show has fallen foul of city authorities in seven months.
Cultural authorities closed 'Solo Exhibition' after just one hour on Saturday night by shutting off power at the venue, in part because of photographs of naked women displayed by artist Zhang Ding , organisers said yesterday.
'From the artists' point of view, these are good works, but cultural inspectors didn't like them,' said an official from the privately run Zendai Museum, which served as curator of the exhibition.
Officials said they intended to build a cultural centre as part of Shanghai's goal to be an 'international city', but artists said tight controls had made it harder for a true arts scene to flourish.
The display, originally scheduled to run for five days, grouped solo exhibitions by 38 artists. Organisers said officials from the Shanghai Culture, Radio, Film and Television Administration found other works offensive, but declined to give details.
The exhibition had been given approval beforehand, but apparently officials had not seen all the works, they said.
