Screening & Panel Discussion of 'Dirty Pictures' with Dennis Barrie
Schedule
Thu, 14 May, 2026 at 05:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
10825 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH, United States, Ohio 44106 | Cleveland, OH
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About This EventIn 1990, the art world and the legal system collided in a Cincinnati courtroom. At the center of the "Trial of the Century" was Dennis Barrie, a museum director who risked a jail sentence to defend the First Amendment and the right to exhibit the work of Robert Mapplethorpe.
Join us for a special screening of the Golden Globe-winning film Dirty Pictures (2000), followed by an exclusive, live panel discussion featuring our very own Dennis Barrie. This is a rare opportunity to hear the firsthand account of the trial that reshaped American culture, directly from the man who stood his ground against obscenity charges that shocked the nation.
Program Highlights:
Feature Presentation: A screening of Dirty Pictures, starring James Woods as Dennis Barrie. The film dramatizes the intense public outcry, the police raid on the museum, and the high-stakes trial that followed.
Fact vs. Fiction with Dennis Barrie: Following the film, Dennis will take the stage to separate Hollywood drama from the reality of the 1990 trial. He’ll share the "behind-the-scenes" moments the cameras missed.
The Mapplethorpe Legacy: A deep-dive discussion on why The Perfect Moment exhibition was so controversial and how the verdict of "Not Guilty" protected the future of artistic expression in American museums.
Live Audience Q&A: Have your questions ready for a moderated session with Dennis.
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Where is it happening?
10825 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH, United States, Ohio 44106Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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