News arrived this morning that James Powderly, founder of the Graffiti Research Lab and speaker at LVHRD’s Bi-Fold Wildstreets, has been detained and held by Chinese officials in Beijing since 3PM EST yesterday.

So far his location is unknown, and officials have refused to acknowledge his detention. The reason for his detention, however, is not such a mystery.

It all started when Powderly’s plans to travel to Beijing to take part in the Synthetic Times New Media exhibition were abruptly altered by the curator’s prohibiting Powderly’s participation. The curator wished to censor certain parts of Powderly’s work, and Powderly defiantly refused.

Perhaps in part inspired by his indignation at such an unapologetic attempt to impinge on his right for free expression, Powderly decided to travel to Beijing anyway, to team up with Students for a Free Tibet with the aim of creating awareness about the Tibetan cause by using the newly-developed Laser Stencil technology to beam simple messages and images onto billboards, buildings, and other prominent surfaces high above the Beijing streets. These messages were never seen, however, as Powderly was detained in the process of preparing for their debut.

No doubt the presence of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing had an impact on the appalling extent to which the Chinese government has shown itself willing to go to prevent what it no doubt viewed as negative publicity. From the casual censorship of art to the arrest of peaceful activists, they seem willing to try anything to avoid being seen as an oppressive superpower. Except, of course, stopping acting like an oppressive superpower.

We hope you get out soon, James.