I have been reading this thread with great interest this week -- this is the kind of discussion that I stay on this list to read (among other things). After some internal debate, I have decided to that my reaction to the image of this sculpture (granted, not the sculpture itself) was profound enough that I felt it was worth sharing. I agree with much of what has been written - I do not think that removing the statue from Rockefeller Center is censorship, I do not think that it is comparable to the Sensations controversy or the Enola Gay debacle. I do think, however, that this sculpture serves an important function and that now IS the right time for it. The intensity of the pain and grief of that day has been in many ways as great on the anniversary as it was just after the actual attack, if a little bit more reflective now that the shock has worn off. Emotions so extreme and events as incomprehensible can sometimes only be expressed through art. The sculpture of the falling woman gave expression to what I could never express -- the individual nature of the tragedy, the helplessness of it all, the end of a national innocence. Beyond the factual, historical truth of the jumpers, in many ways we all fell that day, we all felt that helpless lack of control that is embodied in that sculpture. It isn't a memorial to the jumpers as much as it is a memorial to everything and everybody that died that day. In many ways, on a very personal level, this sculpture has helped me to both grieve and understand the new face of the world. I know that I am not the only one who found that. I would not have been ready for this sculpture six months ago, but I think that it is important for this kind of expression to come to the surface now. I am not certain that Rockefeller Center is the best place for it. I do, however, think that this sculpture, as graphic as it is, serves a very important purpose and should be relocated into a public place where people can choose to see it -- free of charge. It is a powerful, beautiful sculpture which serves an important purpose. Art, after all, is not purely aesthetic -- in its greatest form, it expresses the inexpressible and helps us confront our societal demons. Something more peaceful and tasteful might not be so well suited to serve this function. Back to lurking. Kristen ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).