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» LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: library exhibit sound-off
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Commentary
Following up on the article by Katherine Smith in the April 16 edition of the Daily Campus, the Libraries Exhibits Committee has removed the art piece "Catch and Release," by artist Randall Nelson, that had been located on the Plaza Level in Homer Babbidge Library. At the Gallery Talk on Wednesday, April 22, Mr. Nelson revealed that he had acquired the birds used in the exhibit in a manner which contradicted statements he had made previously to library staff about their acquisition. It was the result of this recent disclosure that we directed him to remove all art pieces in the library containing animal materials. Other sculptural pieces in the exhibit will remain until the scheduled end of the exhibition on May 15. We appreciate interest in the exhibits in the UConn Libraries and hope that the campus community will continue to comment on future exhibits.
- Laura Smith
Exhibit Curator
Homer Babbidge Library
I have found the recent controversy about the art of Randall Nelson which is currently on display in the library to be very aggravating. To say that the library, a place for the protection and propagation of free thought is an inappropriate venue for art seems contradictory to me. Perhaps we should take out all of the books which students might find offensive, or restrict access to the Internet to protect ourselves from its controversial content (whatever that might be). Peace through homogeneity.
The detractors of Nelson's exhibit have singled out only the elements which fifth-graders might be interested in. It seems that all they can see are the swears and penises, letting these few symbols obscure their view of the entire exhibit. For example, Nelson's piece entitled, "Lest We Forget" is a mock vandalized war-memorial such as you might find in a cemetery or a town park. Some people have taken issue with the graffiti which says things typical of a men's bathroom stall such as "fag," "dick," "Johnny was here," that sort of thing.
- Laura Smith
Exhibit Curator
Homer Babbidge Library
I have found the recent controversy about the art of Randall Nelson which is currently on display in the library to be very aggravating. To say that the library, a place for the protection and propagation of free thought is an inappropriate venue for art seems contradictory to me. Perhaps we should take out all of the books which students might find offensive, or restrict access to the Internet to protect ourselves from its controversial content (whatever that might be). Peace through homogeneity.
The detractors of Nelson's exhibit have singled out only the elements which fifth-graders might be interested in. It seems that all they can see are the swears and penises, letting these few symbols obscure their view of the entire exhibit. For example, Nelson's piece entitled, "Lest We Forget" is a mock vandalized war-memorial such as you might find in a cemetery or a town park. Some people have taken issue with the graffiti which says things typical of a men's bathroom stall such as "fag," "dick," "Johnny was here," that sort of thing.
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