Mary Lynch on sat 21 sep 02
Elca wrote:
Where would Guernica or certain Goyas etc.fit in such a sanitized view
of art's functions?
I really find any art censorship for adults offensive(I really disliked
Jeff Koons shiny porno paintings when i saw them, but would never think
of declaring them off limits for anyone else,except ,mebbe,on the basis
of bad aesthetics. ..LOL)
Elca, who was in NYC last week and went to the Met, the Crafts Museum,
the Brooklun Museum, the Neue Museum, The Primitive Arts museum and
galleries galore, and used her six days to gobble up every bit of eye
candy around..has to last the winter.
That thought occurred to me as well (and Guernica was the example that
sprang to my mind, but Goya, yes, very provocative and disturbing,
especially for his time!). Michelangelo's David and Last Judgement were not
exactly warmly received by his contemporaries either. I find it frustrating
that people are so quick to demand the removal of what disturbs them rather
than asking the hard questions. And why do we think life and art and
literature and music and theatre shouldn't be disturbing, anyway?
And yes, I was disgusted by much of Koons' work (not offended, and I did
'get it,' for whatever that's worth), but in light of what is on television
on multiple channels and people hardly utter a peep, I am amazed about what
they won't tolerate in a museum. I am more convinced than ever of the
potential power of art and will forever fight censorship in whatever form I
encounter it. Freedom of expression is the first thing to go under the heel
of repressive, totalitarian or fascist regimes. Remember the Degenerate Art
exhibition the Nazis mounted? How much we gained when so many fled Europe to
come here and do their work!
OK, off the soapbox . . . Elca, I am so envious of your time in NYC . . .
what incredible riches are to be had there, artistically. Any
exhibitions/gallery shows that were particularly memorable for you? (I'll
never forget the Beatrice Wood show at the Craft Museum; and that was the
first place I saw the work of George Ohr as well. And the Lucie Rie pieces
at the Met . . . what an exquisite show that was . . . "eye candy" for
years!
Thanks for sharing, Elca; I always read your posts and enjoy them so much!
Mary in TN
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