Expression is the motor of arts. Visual, print, performance; art is centered around expression. At times art is beautiful, sad, profound; it can also be edgy. In fact, most popular art posses an edge, from the rebellious Katy Perry, to the poetry of T.S. Eliot, without the capacity to be risky, their expressions would be as popular as they are. In art there is no such thing as a limit to the potential of a piece, unless it is illegal.
Late this past summer, August 20th to be exact, Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly wanted to gather a flash mob at a local mall. He claimed it was just for fun, and was being honest. The authorities, however, did not believe him. He was arrested upon arrival at the mall, while his fans watched him cuffed and chanted.
A flash mob may not be the most aesthetic performance art, but it is nonetheless a peaceful gathering, as was the case in Cleveland. The authorities saw the gathering as potentially dangerous, that a large amount of teenagers gathering to meet a famous artist, and participate in a flash mob, could turn into a riot. Before it was started MGK was arrested.
Flash mobs can be dangerous, or inconvenient, as was most likely the case when hundreds of teens populated the food courts. Flash mobs are a form of social action. The fact that so many were exposed to censorship, however minor the cause, should create some awareness. Especially when what is censored is so trivial.
Follow the link below to read what Clevelanders have to say about MGK's failed flash mob, also view the youtube videos.
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