I'll be happy to acknowledge that it is my opinion that artists often do a
bad job of articulating the reasons that bring their art about.  I'm not
sure, however, what Jay Heuman thinks I'm copping out of.

But I hold to the point that I made in the context of the discussion.
Explanations and interpretations are everything, particularly when it comes
to the acceptance of contemporary art.  Explanation and interpretation
should be a part of the total exhibition context, especially in a forum that
depends on public funding.  In my experience, contemporary artists (and no,
I am not talking about Vasari or Delacroix or Van Gogh) like most arts
professionals provide a prose that is often simply incomprehensible and I
think it is up to the profession at large to figure out how to provide
insights provided by the artists, the curators, and others, in ways that are
more accessible to a larger number of visitors.

I'd be the last person to say that the issue of communication should not be
among a museums top priorities.

Ellen B. Cutler
LNB Associates - Writing, Editing, Proofreading, Research Services
Aberdeen, MD

----- Original Message -----
From: Jay Heuman <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2001 11:11 AM
Subject: Re: Giuliani's At It Again!


> Indigo wrote:
>
> > We could do a whole discussion on what God looks like.
> > Interestingly enough, and just an aside, those
> > defending Giuliani's take on this have been men.
>
> Did I defend Guliani?  NO!
>
> The point of my message was (and remains) that politicians -- including
> Guliani -- have the right to say what they want.  Similarly, artists
> have the responsibility to say what they want.  Hanging something
> controversial on the wall in silence is hardly the way of the
> contemporary art scene.
>
> It is a 'cop out' when others (not Indigo) wrote that artists are not
> the best people to interpret their artwork.  It is quite insulting to
> artists when someone wrote that artists are not competent to write down
> their thoughts.  There are countless volumes with writings by artists
> about their thoughts and theories . . . helpful in interpreting possible
> meanings of their artwork.  [Note: Curators are, from my experience, not
> so hot when it comes to writing about contemporary art and often base
> their interpretations on what artists have said or written . . . so, why
> don't artists's cut out the middle man?]
>
> > You gentlemen may not be aware, but a lot of women in
> > this world do believe God is a woman, and she laughs
> > herself silly over many of huMANities foibles.
>
> This whole issue is not about the outward appearance, sex or sexuality
> of God . . . and you know better, Indigo!  LOL!  Youa re just trying to
> be controversial, to be in the limelight.
>
> [The rest of Indigo's thoughts about God's sex (male, female or neuter)
> is wholly irrelevant to the issue of public funding and censorship.]
>
> > The artist owes no one an explanation.  Art is art.
> > It is created for a myriad of reasons and inspired by
> > all manner of health and unhealth.
> >
> > It doesn't have to be justified.
>
> "Justification."  That is interesting, considering that I wrote that
> artists should take this as an opportunity to explain intentions.  Is
> explainning intentions the same as justifying work?  Not according to my
> dictionary.  (I note that Indigo is very good at putting words in
> people's mouths.)  This is my last word on the subject . . . as any more
> words will surely be mangled by Indigo.
>
> Sincerely,
> Jay Heuman
>
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