A cake was cut in the Museum of Modern Art this Sunday and gave rise to one of the most vivid discussions in media regarding not only racism, but also the boundries of Freedom of Expression. The cake depicts a black woman as a stereotype of what the western world regards at being African according to the artist, who himself is black and uses stereotypes to enhance the message he is trying to convey.
The cake was cut up first by the Swedish minister of culture and had a wailing face sticking out at the top. The permance was regarded as tasteless even by many that defended the right of freedom of expression and art's ability not being restricted, so it could not be controversial or even offensive to some. But the image of laughing white people cutting up this monstrous cake was bizarre and even to much to take in.
The loudest protesters were the Afroswedish Association, who called for the minister's resignation. The situation made even more into what some came to regard as a trap. She could have chosen not to cut the cake and be regarded as taking a stand against the freedom of creating art or cut the cake. Either she could be a racist and cut it or being a minister of culture, which did not support art. I guess sometimes you just can't win, can you?
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