2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 1/19/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Dear Editor,
Ever walk across campus on a sunny day just to enjoy the scenery? It's amazing how much wonderful art we can observe while on our sunny walk. There is, for instance, the statue of two dancing figures scenically located on the north side of campus. Never mind the fact that the dancers look like they were the survivors of a meth addiction. Or perhaps we could observe the pole in the center of the Union square. You know? The one that looks like it has all the paper cutouts attach to it? Or how about my personal favorite: the giant pigeon dropping called 'Petra' that's on the campus quad.
Doesn't it actually take something called "talent" to create art? Oh, don't get me wrong. I realize talented artists need skill to make their work shine, but one would think an actual facility of higher learning would recognize who has talent and who does not. Let us say, for instance, that a student with no artistic talent decides to be an art major. Fine. I have no problem with that. But don't you think our permanent displays should show our best and brightest?
I have heard the argument that art is objective. Of course it is. But when any ten-year-old using modeling clay and Lincoln Logs can reproduce the grand work of art called 'Petra,' we so proudly display on the quad, there comes a time when we must call into question our art selection committee. Where is the line drawn between art and three red dots on a piece of paper.
I know! Let's fund for some new art on campus. We could take some copper tubing and hammer it to a giant log, or even better, we could fill in a plot with wet cement, have someone lay down in it and call it impressionism. My advice to Central is, (what seems to me) just common sense.
Shouldn't you have some actual artists create your art?
Sincerely,
Matt Marlott
Ever walk across campus on a sunny day just to enjoy the scenery? It's amazing how much wonderful art we can observe while on our sunny walk. There is, for instance, the statue of two dancing figures scenically located on the north side of campus. Never mind the fact that the dancers look like they were the survivors of a meth addiction. Or perhaps we could observe the pole in the center of the Union square. You know? The one that looks like it has all the paper cutouts attach to it? Or how about my personal favorite: the giant pigeon dropping called 'Petra' that's on the campus quad.
Doesn't it actually take something called "talent" to create art? Oh, don't get me wrong. I realize talented artists need skill to make their work shine, but one would think an actual facility of higher learning would recognize who has talent and who does not. Let us say, for instance, that a student with no artistic talent decides to be an art major. Fine. I have no problem with that. But don't you think our permanent displays should show our best and brightest?
I have heard the argument that art is objective. Of course it is. But when any ten-year-old using modeling clay and Lincoln Logs can reproduce the grand work of art called 'Petra,' we so proudly display on the quad, there comes a time when we must call into question our art selection committee. Where is the line drawn between art and three red dots on a piece of paper.
I know! Let's fund for some new art on campus. We could take some copper tubing and hammer it to a giant log, or even better, we could fill in a plot with wet cement, have someone lay down in it and call it impressionism. My advice to Central is, (what seems to me) just common sense.
Shouldn't you have some actual artists create your art?
Sincerely,
Matt Marlott