[Gendergap] Commons as an art gallery?

[carolmooredc at verizon.net]

*puerile* - perfect!

* A good long list makes the squeaky wheel loud and clear :-)

On 5/16/2011 11:40 AM, Andreas Kolbe wrote:
> There is a long thread on the Commons and Gendergap lists about today's
> featured image on Commons:
>
> http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/commons-l/2011-May/
> http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/gendergap/2011-May/
>
> It's an original piece of art by a Wikimedian, "in the style of" erotic
> manga:
>
> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:On_the_edge_-_free_world_version.jpg
>
> The picture was removed from the main page by a WMF staff member, acting as
> an ordinary editor, and then restored a few hours later by a Commons admin.
>
> Aspects of the image that have been discussed include the fact that
>
> * it has no noteworthy artistic value
>
> * it is used to showcase a Wikimedian's artwork on the project main page
>
> * it lacks educational value, being the work of a non-notable Wikimedian
>
> * it makes the Foundation look puerile
>
> * it might turn off serious educators
>
> * it might turn off older people
>
> * it might turn off schools
>
> * it might turn off women
>
> * it might turn off institutions owning valuable content from donating to the Foundation
>
> * it is the victim of cultural fascism directed against manga/anime
>
> * it is the victim of prudery
>
> * it is the victim of censorship
>
> * not showing the image on the mian page would undermine the Foundation's mission
>
> etc. etc.
>
> This is really a Foundation topic though. Are projects' main pages there to
> showcase Wikimedians' fine art? If yes, then why do we not have songs by
> unsigned garage bands "in the style of ..." as featured media of the day?
>
> Should the Foundation establish guidelines on what type of content to feature
> on project main pages?
>
> Crossposted to Foundation-l, Commons-l and Gendergap.
>
> Andreas
>
>