David Velasco, the editor in chief of Artforum, was fired after the magazine’s publishers determined that the decision to publish an open letter on the Israel-Hamas war did not meet the organization’s standards. Velasco, who had been with Artforum for six years, expressed disappointment that the magazine, known for its support of freedom of speech and artists’ voices, succumbed to external pressure. The letter, signed by thousands of artists and cultural workers, called for Palestinian liberation and criticized the silence of cultural institutions in response to the Israeli bombing of Gaza. The publishers, Danielle McConnell and Kate Koza, criticized the letter’s publication as not consistent with Artforum’s editorial process, leading to widespread misinterpretation of the magazine’s position. The firing of Velasco has raised concerns and sparked debates within the art world community.
Artforum Fires Top Editor After Open Letter on Israel-Hamas War
Artforum fires top editor
Artforum, one of the art world’s leading magazines, made the decision to terminate the employment of their editor-in-chief, David Velasco, after he and thousands of other signatories published an open letter discussing the Israel-Hamas war. The publishers of Artforum stated that the decision to publish the letter did not align with the magazine’s standards, leading to Velasco’s dismissal after six years in the position. Despite his termination, Velasco remains steadfast in his belief in the importance of freedom of speech and the expression of artists’ voices.
Editor’s response
Following his termination, Velasco expressed his lack of regret over the situation. He emphasized his disappointment in Artforum, a magazine that has historically championed freedom of speech and supported artists’ voices, for succumbing to external pressures. Velasco’s response suggests that he stands by his decision to publish the open letter, viewing it as a crucial expression of artists’ perspectives on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Open letter supporting Palestinian liberation
The open letter, signed by thousands of artists, academics, and cultural workers, including David Velasco, expressed support for Palestinian liberation and criticized the silence of cultural institutions regarding the Israeli bombing of Gaza residents. The letter initially omitted reference to Hamas’s attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 Israelis. Feedback from subscribers and advertisers prompted the addition of this information to the letter, along with a preface clarifying that it reflected the views of the individual signatories and not Artforum or its staff.
Changes made to the letter
To address concerns raised by subscribers and advertisers, modifications were made to the open letter supporting Palestinian liberation. The letter was amended to include reference to Hamas’s attack and a preface was added to clarify that it was a collection of individual perspectives rather than an official statement endorsed by Artforum. These changes aimed to ensure transparency and provide a more balanced perspective on the Israel-Hamas war.
Publishers’ criticism
Danielle McConnell and Kate Koza, the publishers of Artforum, responded to the open letter controversy by criticizing the editorial process that led to its publication. They emphasized that the letter was not representative of Artforum’s editorial process and that it had been widely misinterpreted as an official statement. The publishers acknowledged the disappointment and confusion among readers and the art community and expressed regret over the situation.
Condemnation and backlash
Following the publication of the open letter, condemnation ensued from various figures in the art world. Organized campaigns were initiated to dissuade advertisers from collaborating with Artforum. Michael Phillips Moskowitz, a curator and collector, described the letter as a betrayal of the magazine’s readers and attributed it to a lack of understanding of the complexities surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite the backlash, many signatories maintained their support for the open letter and stressed the importance of advocating for peace through the arts.
Defense of freedom of speech
In response to the criticism and backlash, supporters of the open letter, such as artist Cecilia Vicuña, defended the importance of freedom of speech. They argued that interfering with artists’ opinions goes against the fundamental role of art in society. Vicuña maintained that artists should have the right to express their perspectives freely, regardless of the controversial nature of the subject matter.
Editor’s tenure at Artforum
David Velasco’s tenure at Artforum spans over a decade, starting as an editorial assistant in 2005 before eventually becoming the editor-in-chief in 2017. During his time as editor, Velasco faced challenges in rebuilding trust in the magazine’s brand. He successfully worked towards restoring Artforum’s reputation as a respected and authoritative source of art world news, analysis, and criticism.
Artists’ defense of the editor
Despite Velasco’s termination, various artists expressed their support for him in a letter addressed to Jay Penske, the mogul behind Penske Media Corporation, which acquired Artforum recently. The letter praised Velasco’s fearless and uncompromising vision for the magazine, emphasizing its continuing relevance within the art world.
Correction made in the article
A correction was issued regarding the article discussing the termination of David Velasco and the open letter controversy. The correction clarified the outcome of the sexual harassment lawsuit against Artforum and its former publisher, Knight Landesman. The claims against Landesman were dismissed, while the accusations of retaliation by Artforum were settled outside of court. The correction aimed to provide accurate information and address any potential inaccuracies in the original article.
In conclusion, Artforum’s decision to terminate David Velasco as editor-in-chief following the publication of an open letter on the Israel-Hamas war has ignited a significant controversy within the art world. The incident raises important questions about the balance between freedom of expression, editorial responsibility, and the diverse perspectives of artists and cultural workers. As the repercussions of this decision continue to unfold, the role of art in promoting dialogue, peace, and social justice remains at the forefront of the discussion.
