Facebook blocks Zurich Photobastei because of nude pictures
The Zurich-based Photobastei has been blocked on Facebook for 30 days. From Facebook’s perspective, Photobastei is a «repeat offender in the dissemination of prohibited nudity.».
The SRF program "10vor10" aired a report on the new punk exhibition at the Photobastei on Monday. It featured an interview with the Berlin artist Sven Marquardt. The camera panned across his pictures on the wall of the museum. According to the Photobastei press release on Thursday, Marquardt's pictures show "half-naked people in a post-punk aesthetic and also naked breasts and nipples". These are all elements that violate Facebook's guidelines. Because Facebook does not differentiate between nudity and art and because Photobastei posted this content, i.e. the SRF report, it is now being blocked. Requests for leniency have not yet been heard by Facebook.
The Photobastei is considered a repeat offender, as it had already advertised the exhibition of the photo artist Karin Szekessy with a naked muse and published a report by the Züritipp posted on its own Facebook page. For Photobastei, the social media channel is the most important channel for distributing its content. The blocking therefore meant a "massive cut and a threat to its activities".
Art and nudity
"It's a problem that Facebook doesn't want to differentiate between art and nudity," Romano Zerbini, director and curator of the Photobastei, is quoted as saying in the press release. "A Botticelli can no longer be posted on Facebook today! But Facebook has the power to elevate the nipple over art and we are powerless. Facebook and China have more in common than we would like."
The Photobastei combines museum exhibitions with the skills of professional photography and a passion for photography on two floors. (SDA)
