Photography Collection

A photograph owned by Sir Elton John is not an indecent image, the crown prosecution service (CPS) has said. The picture, entitled Klara and Edda Belly Dancing, was taken from the Baltic Gallery in Gateshead (Great Britain) by Northumbria Police on September 20th. According to today's CPS ruling, "the evidence is insufficient to justify proceedings for offences of possession or distribution of an indecent photograph". The piece is part of the Thanksgiving installation by American photographer Nan Goldin and is owned by renowned art lover Sir Elton. But while the rest of the collection – some 148 photos – continued to be displayed after the photograph in question was seized, the singer later asked for the exhibition to be halted ahead of its scheduled January 20th completion.
A spokesman from the Baltic confirmed at the beginning of the month: "Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, at the request of the Sir Elton John Photography Collection, has closed the exhibition. "After the removal of one image from the series it was no longer possible for Baltic to exhibit the collection of works as the artist intended. "Therefore Baltic is sympathetic to Sir Elton John's request and supportive of the decision."