Exhibition title changed in Besançon

An exhibition exploring the link between art and anarchism, originally titled « Ni Dieu ni maître ! Arts et anarchie de Courbet à Banksy », will be renamed « L'Art en liberté. De Courbet au street art » when it moves to the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie de Besançon in February 2027. The change was made by the city's right-wing administration, which has faced criticism for potentially censoring the exhibition.

Mayor seeks neutral presentation

Ludovic Fagaut, the LR mayor of Besançon, said the original title was too provocative and wanted a more neutral presentation of the exhibition. Anne-Rachel Schertz, deputy mayor for culture, explained that the city aimed to avoid a political angle and ensure the exhibition was inclusive and unifying for all visitors.

Co-curator agrees with the change

Co-curator Maël Vandewalle confirmed the decision was made in collaboration with the municipal administration. The change reflects a different communication strategy compared to the earlier stage of the exhibition in Roubaix, where the original title was used.

Critics see it as censorship

Some critics, including journalist Lelo Jimmy Batista and Constance Rivière of the National Museum of the History of Immigration, have called the title change an act of censorship. They argue it attempts to suppress historical perspectives and limit creative freedom, especially in a city with strong anarchist roots.

Curators emphasize institutional autonomy

Adèle Taillefait, the curator in Roubaix, explained that while the exhibition's subject was developed collaboratively, each city hosting the exhibition determines its presentation. In Martigues, a communist city, the original title will remain unchanged, as the local administration supports the original theme.

Roubaix mayor defends the exhibition

David Guiraud, the LFI mayor of Roubaix, emphasized that the exhibition is not a political statement but a historical journey created by art historians. He praised Taillefait for maintaining a critical distance, allowing the exhibition to reflect militant ideas without endorsing them.

Uncertainty about content changes

Questions remain about whether the exhibition's content has been altered and whether the changes reflect a political agenda. The timing of the changes, amid student protests and before the presidential election, has raised concerns about the motives behind the title change.