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V&A censored catalogues after demands by Chinese printer
TL;DR
The Victoria and Albert Museum has censored its catalogues at the request of a Chinese printing firm, removing images and maps that violate China's censorship laws. This decision reflects broader trends among UK institutions relying on Chinese printers for cost-effective publishing.
Key points
- V&A removed images from catalogues due to Chinese censorship demands
- Chinese printers offer lower costs for publishing
- Censorship includes topics like Tibet and Tiananmen Square
- Other UK institutions also face similar censorship issues
- Censorship extends to unrelated subjects like Fabergé eggs
Victoria and Albert MuseumBritish MuseumTateBritish Library
One of the UK’s leading museums has accepted demands by a Chinese firm that publishes its catalogues to remove images that fall foul of the country’s censorship laws.
The Victoria and Albert Museum has agreed to requests by the Chinese printing company it uses to delete maps and images from at least two recent exhibition catalogues, according to documents released to the Guardian under freedom of information.
Like other prominent institutions, including the British Museum, Tate and the British Library, the V&A often uses Chinese printers because they can produce catalogues at half the cost of British or European companies.
But by so doing they have to accede to censorship requestsrelating to any topics or images deemed sensitive by the Chinese government such as Buddhism, Taiwan, Tibet, Tiananmen Square and pro-democracy activities.
The disclosures from the V&A lay bare the detailed scope of China’s censorship on museum publishers. They show how Beijing’s red pen even extends to historical maps and photographs on seemingly unrelated subjects such as Fabergé eggs and British Black music.
They also show the apparent willingness of a publicly funded UK institution to agree to Chinese suppression despite the problems it can cause in the production process.
For the catalogue of the Music is Black exhibition, which opens this Friday, the V&A wanted to use a 1930s illustration of trade routes of the British empire. But an email from the V&A’s Chinese printers sent last November said it had fallen foul of Beijing’s censorship body, the General Administration of Press and Publication or GAPP.
The email from the Chinese printers, C&C Offset Printing, said: “There is a map on p10 relates to China (there is China border here and we need to use the standard maps from Chinese Government) and GAPP rejected it. Our suggestion is to delete this map or use another image.”
The V&A agreed despite bafflement at the decision. An internal email exchange between V&A colleagues revealed the censorship caused a delay in printing the catalogue. It said: “It’s a historic map showing British colonial rule so nothing to do with China – just shows China on the map and that seems to be enough to warrant rejection! Printing paused while we amend files … SORRY”.
The map was due to illustrate an introduction to the catalogue by Gus Casely-Hayford, the director of V&A East. An email to him said it was too late to find alternative printers.
It said: “We were aware of sensitivity around contemporary maps but it now clearly applies to historic maps too. As we have ordered the paper to the printer it is sadly too late to move print to Europe, so we’ve had to put back the schedule a week in order to find a replacement illustration.”
Q&A
What images were removed from the V&A catalogues due to Chinese censorship?
The V&A removed maps and images related to sensitive topics such as Buddhism, Taiwan, Tibet, Tiananmen Square, and pro-democracy activities.
Why do UK museums like the V&A use Chinese printers?
UK museums often use Chinese printers because they can produce catalogues at half the cost compared to British or European companies.
Which other UK institutions have faced similar censorship issues?
Other prominent institutions like the British Museum, Tate, and the British Library have also faced similar censorship demands when using Chinese printers.
How does China's censorship affect museum publications?
China's censorship affects museum publications by restricting images and topics deemed sensitive, impacting even seemingly unrelated subjects like historical maps and photographs.
