But I liked the fact that Frazier supported local artists, which to his
character Chihuly might have been.  While he also collected 18th century
silver snuffboxes and African sculptures, the paintings he bought were
contemporary and by local artists.  I always thought that was a good
lesson for the kiddies.

Julia Muney Moore
Public Art Administrator
Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 875-5500 x230
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Jay Heuman
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 6:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Sitcoms, fine art & TV anthropology

Julia -- Excellent point of discussion.

I'm perfectly willing to toss out word that, to my utter disappointment,
Dr.
Frazier Crane was chutzpadik (nervy?) to have a Chihuly.  One might have
thought such an aesthete would have less popular taste.  While some art
historians/educators may view Chihuly as "low brow," the general public
is
often in awe of Chihuly.  Seeing it in Dr. Frazier Crane's abode
translates
to his being a connoisseur of "fine" or "high" art.

Of course, this forces us to confront the truth about the fiction about
the
truth of television sitcoms and their characters.  Characters are
assigned
specific traits to be different from, yet objects of sympathy for, a
mass
audience.  "We" should be able to identify aspects of ourselves in them
--
yet they are quirky.  Sometimes, they do what we would do, react as we
would; other times, they do not.  There's just enough tension of
uncertainty
to keep us watching and laughing at the expected and unexpected.

But imagine going back to the original family sitcoms and working your
way
through with an analysis of their household decoration and/or artwork .
. .

For example:

     "Father Knows Best" . . . as expected, standard landscape.
     [See photo entitled "Robert Young and Jane Wyatt" on
     
www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/960/sort/2/cat/797/p
age/
3]

     "The Honeymooners" . . . You'd be had-pressed to find anything
     other than dish towels and kitchen implements.  [See photo in
     lower left on
     
www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/965/sort/2/cat/799/p
age/
5]

For those more pedantic than I, visit www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/
for
pictures from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, etc. all the way to the newest
comedies
like "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Stacked."

This should result in fun discussion . . .

Best wishes all,

Jay Heuman
Curator of Education
Salt Lake Art Center
20 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

T 801-328-4201
F 801-322-4323
E [log in to unmask]
W http://www.slartcenter.org





On 6/29/05 4:15 PM, "Julia Moore" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> I have always wanted to write a thesis on the portrayal of
contemporary
> art in the history of American sitcoms.  Just about every sitcom I
have
> seen (and I am a fan of the genre if they are intelligently written)
has
> had at least one episode dedicated to the topic, and some keep
returning
> to it. I think it's very important for those of us who work in the
field
> to understand what the prevailing attitudes are about what we do in
> order to adjust how we present and interpret it.
> If this is the place for such a discussion, someone start it.
> Julia Muney Moore
> Public Art Administrator
> Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN
> (317) 875-5500 x230

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