The idea that a work of art should "stand on its own," is certainly a
     nice one, isn't it? Then again, such a notion reveals the canyon
     between theory and practice that museum's face every day. Let's face
     it folks, the Picasso-looking painting that the neighbor kid painted
     will ever be as important as the Picasso that Picasso himself painted.
     And, there are great arguments on both sides of the canyon.

     John Handley


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Should there be ethics in art?
Author:  [log in to unmask] (Olivia S. Anastasiadis) at INTERNET
Date:    7/24/98 9:42 AM


He took the words right out of my mouth.  Of course I can't lay claim to
a scientific background.  But pretty much, the work should stand on its
own, and who knows, we've found another great century artist lurking in
the shadows of a better known one.

O
Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Yorba Linda, CA  92886
(714) 993-5075 ext. 224; fax (714) 528-0544; e-mail:  [log in to unmask]

On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 19:11:59 +0100 Leonard Will
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>Perhaps I betray my early scientific training, where the value of an
>idea is not dependent on the person who puts it forward. I have never
>been happy that the aesthetic value of an art object, or the
>justification of placing it in a museum, should depend on the name of
>the artist. Certainly it should not be exhibited under a name known to
>be false, but should the object not speak for itself?
>
>Of course I accept that in a history museum, for example, everyday
>objects may be worth exhibiting only because of their historical
>associations, and the accuracy of representational art may depend on
>the
>circumstances of its creation, but is "fine art" not exhibited
>primarily
>because it is in itself interesting, stimulating, provoking of
>thoughts
>and emotions, etc.?
>
>So my answer to this question, so long as the museum's legal title to
>hold the object is still valid, would be "Change the label, keep the
>object".
>
>Leonard Will
>--
>Willpower Information       (Partners: Dr Leonard D Will, Sheena E
>Will)
>Information Management Consultants                 Tel: +44 181 372
>0092
>27 Calshot Way, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 7BQ, UK    Fax: +44 181 372
>0094
>[log in to unmask]
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>---------------
>

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