With the Chelsea-fication of New York's art scene, art as a pure form of political expression isn't easy to find these days. Arts orgs L2EL ARTS and freeDimensional bring together 27 international and local artists at the progressive-minded Brecht Forum for a benefit exhibition that looks at how art can be more than just a luxury good. Many of the artists have endured severe political reprisals, including Issa Nyaphaga, a Cameroonian artist jailed and tortured for his satirical political cartoons, and playwright Pierre Mumbere Mujomba, who ran afoul of Congo's government following his 2003 play The Last Envelope. Students of the First Amendment should check out the controversial works of Mike Diana, the only artist ever to be charged with violating US obscenity laws.