Who's to Say

  I have never had someone run up to me and say, "Be sure to hear the orchestra's current
performance. There are two instruments playing off key and it sounds so wonderfully horrid you won't
want to miss it."

  Recently I had an opportunity to participate in a discussion about a sculpture project for a
mid-American art center. I don't recall many facts, but basically, the head of the institution had
disbanded his selection committee. Seems their selections were from the leading edge of good taste
(avant-guard) and in their tenured knowledge was exactly what this center needed. After dismissing the
group he made his own selections, respecting his best judgement. The eliminated group has deemed
his selections "precious moments".

  Now to face the real problem. Will the contributors to the original selection withdraw their financial
commitments? Who sets the criteria?

  I have been delighted and amazed for many years by our local art groups and their efforts to bring the
latest and/or best to our "fair city". They have done an admirable job and in the past I played a small
part.

  Every effort has always been made to obtain the most learned and sought after judge for the annual
juried show. The winning selections made by this year's judge were from our three state area. In past
years, i have been proud of the caliber and abilities exhibited by the winning artists. The subject matter
may not have always been to our liking. However, the competency of those selected has never been
questioned.

  In a desire to be a standout, most learned artists recognize their submissions must be "on-the-edge".
Our current group is the closest to the edge I can remember. The jurist from New York must have felt a
special need to enliven the creative acceptance of the nations mid-section. Has he succeeded? A
portion of the works selected challenge my ability to accept the fringe. For me the arts need to be
pleasurable. Are there truly people who achieve pleasure from private morbidity?

  I will admit in trips to San Francisco, New York, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Madrid I have not
sought out the works of Bruehghel, Bacon and the like . . . In an effort not to be overcome by the current
wave of conservatism, I hasten to accept these works as the realities they may provide for some. As for
my living room, it's full.

  In regard to the previously mentioned sculpture project, the community finds the "precious moments"
to their liking -- something they finally understand.

  Where to we all fit?