WikiLeaks wants to raise awareness about the freedom of free speech. Also, to point out the ways the government uses to limit this freedom. WikiLeaks is hosting this art exhibition in London. They are using classified government cables to show the public what influence the state has in this matter. Some of the big names included in the exhibition are Dread Scott and Vivienne Westwood.
“States of Violence” – WikiLeaks London Exhibition
Given this exhibition clearly criticizes the actions of the government, visitors can become the target of criticism. There is a risk of prosecution by the government, which visitors can meet. Overall, the goal of this art show is to indicate what freedom of expression is like in modern societies. Also, to indicate the oppressive tactics used by the government.
In order to clearly show the state of society, WikiLeaks uses confidential government cables disclosed by Julian Assange in 2010. As previously said, the big names included in the exhibition are Dread Scott and Vivienne Westwood. But in addition, some other artists will also appear. This includes Ai Weiwei, Santiago Sierra and Andrei Molodkin. The exhibition will last from March 24 to April 8. The name of the art show is “States of Violence”.
The interesting thing is that this is the first collaboration between the global nonprofit, the Wau Holland Foundation, and the London-based art gallery a/political. The exhibition coincides with the anniversary of the detention of Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. As the United States wants to extradite him in accordance with the Espionage Act, Assange remains detained in the maximum security Belmarsh Prison. These charges could earn him nearly two centuries in prison.
Display of Confidential Data in the U.K. For the First Time
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Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterOverall, this exhibition will include the largest number of confidential information of the American government. Evidently, these documents led to Assange’s imprisonment. This presentation consists of 66 books. Also, through this exhibition, visitors can see a display of confidential data in the U.K. for the first time. Although it has been possible to publicly access this data for years, possession of them could lead to legal consequences.
The reason for this is that the American Espionage Act is still in effect. If visitors open one of the 66 books on display, they risk being charged like Assange. WikiLeaks Ambassador Joseph Farrell said the primary goal is to is to point out the threats that freedom of speech faces every day.
“If they are successful in getting an Australian out of Europe, the precedent will be set for a British journalist that writes something that the Chinese government doesn’t like. There’s nothing to stop the Chinese government from requesting the extradition and putting them in prison. It is a much greater issue”, Farrell explained. The organizers hope that the exhibition and the exhibited works of art will show citizens uses violence and oppression to protect itself.
