I don't think the argument is about "good" art or even censorship. I've heard
repeatedly this was a private commission, put in a public space that the
general public requested be removed. We have eyesore laws, it's perfectly
reasonable and legal for people to not be forced to looking at things that are
harmful and if you don't believe looking at disturbing images is harmful, then
look at studies done about violence depicted on tv (and yes, the news)
including cartoons. I think we who do not live in NYC cannot begin to imagine
the impact this statue has on those who do. And mental health workers will
agree our goal is to move past the pain, not set up camp there. Does anyone
honestly believe we won't forget what happened?
I was impressed by the power of the statue from the pictures of it and would
actually like to see it. But I'm happier seeing it in a museum where it's my
CHOICE, where I can be mentally prepared for what I'm about to see. Imagine
how awful it would be to walk by that work everyday, knowing it disturbs you,
knowing it's about to come into view, knowing you'll want to avert your eyes
-- the stress that would cause in someone passing by it everyday. I think the
public has every right to request its removal and the artist has every right
to display it where viewers will want to see it.
Alexandra Carrera
Corita Art Center
On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 14:48:53 -0400 Audra Oliver <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
Art does not have to be "tasteful" to be good art. If
I
remember correctly most strong pieces publicly displayed have met with varying
degrees of outcry. People object to non-objective pieces, abstract
pieces
and realism. If we want public art short of memorial sculpture, we need
to
expect outcry. I cannot see the point in funding "safe"
pieces.
Didn't we have an earlier discussion about memorials? My
feelings then were that we were rushing into memorializing an event before
there
was time to come to terms with it emotionally. They are the same now.
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