Today, officers from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives in Los Angeles walked into Mark Moore Gallery and confiscated one of my recent pieces; "Improvised Shotgun: White."
The officers also requested the current location and bills of lading of recently shipped work of a similar nature. I assume they plan to seize these works as well. The receipt for the initial seizure is shown below.
As of this posting, I have not received any official complaint, cease & desist, nor notice of any kind from the BATFE. Likewise, they've made no requests pending on other pieces in my growing body of RECESS work.
I assume that the actions of the BATFE are a misguided attempt to develop evidence against me for alleged crimes they believe I have committed.
As I have made clear on this blog, other internet sites, and through my demonstrated exhibition record and career - I am an conceptual artist. My highly public and often controversial works have at time created both challenging and meaningful public discourse. This is the nature of my purpose.
The seizure of my works is a seizure of my voice, and a terrible injustice. I believe the actions of the BATFE today are a violation of my first amendment rights, and an act of overt theft. I am saddened and deeply disgusted that in the midst of this terrible recession, Federal tax dollars are being spent to stifle my rights, seize my work, and question my patriotism.
Everything you can learn about me is here. It is in the combined effort of my labor and the illustration of my ideas. My works are my words, my passions, and my livelihood. Draw your own conclusions and pass this along if you refuse to believe in an America where questioning culture is a crime.
