Page 112 - David Bermant Foundation

FREEDOM OF SPEECH DOES INCLUDE ART! . . . even though government officials try to restrict that freedom by resorting to theirzoning and permit regulations, sign ordinances, and other bureaucratic means.The kinetic sculpture as pictured to the right by Harold Lehr was on display on the lawn of Wadsworth Atheneum for nearly a year. The Town refused to recognizeits artistic value or the owners right to display it. It “became a sign” when placed in front of the shopping center, an attempt to use sign regulations to censor the choice of art to be displayed.At considerable expense, the owners turned to the courts to protect their constitutional right to display art works of their choosing on their private property.Seven years later, five judges in the Connecticut Supreme Court, the state’s highest tribunal, unanimously agreed with the owner’s position.111