Sex, Art & Higher Education - Cliteracy project sparks graffiti

By Hunter Riley. Public discussions about sexuality pop up on college campuses on a regular basis, and not immune from this phenomenon is our own Santa Fe University of Art and Design, where in January a spate of clitoris-themed graffiti led to uproar from school officials.
Artist Sophia Wallace had recently visited the campus with her artwork called “Cliteracy, 100 Natural Laws.” The work, according to Wallace’s website, was intended to explore a paradox she defines as “the global obsession with sexualizing female bodies in a world that is illiterate when it comes to female sexuality. Cliteracy is a new way of talking about citizenship, sexuality, human rights and bodies.”
Yet when someone (or several someones) painted graffiti at residence halls, hallways and doors with depictions of female anatomy and the words “solid gold clit” or the abbreviation SGC, school officials wanted to impose consequences. They posted a notice that a $250 fine would be imposed on every student living on campus. More...