Art not intended to upset religious right
The statements made by columnist Tom McDermott in his Feb. 22 article regarding art, religion and government funding of museums left me rather annoyed for a number of reasons. First, Mr. McDermott needs to realize that not everyone is a Christian, and that the artistic intent of the works of artist Renee Cox and the "elephant dung" portrait from a while back are not necessarily meant to piss off the religious right. Any artist, myself included, knows that a great amount of emotion and feeling are put into our work-you cannot discount our opinions simply because you do not like what we have to say.
Secondly, the arts are typically one of the most under-funded areas in both the schools and society at large. Contrary to what Mr. McDermott believes, the art industry has not reached a point where the "art world has to recognize that it no longer needs government support." No one is asking you to see the exhibit, nor is there anyone forcing you to go see it. The works of art were created for people who are open to different points of view, and are interested in hearing someone else's opinion on our society. Despite Mr. McDermott's claims that he is against censorship, his desire to see funding pulled from the arts would ultimately result in a decline of promising independent art made available to the public on the larger scale.
In closing, I would like to say that seeing as McDermott is a law student, he should please stay out of matters that he has no experience in. His column makes it painfully clear that he has no experience or interest in the art world - but rather, he serves only to attack the superficial aspects of controversial works and promote censorship of art that goes against his beliefs.
Brian O'Sullivan
studio arts sophomore
Students ignored in Mall fencing decision
Every time I step onto campus I am immediately irritated with the crowded walkways and bikeways and the eyesore of the continuing construction going on. In March of 1999, before I transferred to the UA, I decided that I had better get a first-hand look at the campus to feel what might be my new everyday environment. As I walked down the UA Mall I was instantly impressed by what I saw. There was a very attractive central part of campus that was alive with students, music and various information booths.
So I show up in August and what do I see? A big hole in the ground where all that room to play used to be. I realize that improvements must be made to accommodate the growing student enrollment and demands, but it was just very disappointing. Now that I've gotten a little used to the downsized Mall space, that is going to be taken away too.
I think that I speak for many students when I say that the decision made by President Likins and the Swinerton & Walberg builders to fence off the UA Mall for the next stages of construction is a big upset. Getting across campus isn't as easy as it used to be and now it's going to get even more ridiculous. I guess that the ease and happiness of the students wasn't really as big of a concern to the administration as I'd hoped it would be. Thanks to Ben Graff and the ASUA Senate, hopefully in the future the student voice will be heard a little louder.
Sadie Taylor
wildlife and fisheries resources junior
Good literature for English department
For those like Laura Christiansen and English professors Greg Jackson and Laura Berry who would like to eliminate the "Holy Trinity-Shakespeare, Chaucer and Milton" and other "dead white males" from the curriculum, I would like to recommend a very alive, contemporaneous female author: Barbara Kingsolver. Some of her books are "Bean Trees," "Animal Dreams," "Poisonwood Bible," "Pigs in Heaven" and "Homeland and Other Stories."
As for the Bard, Shakespeare, he is the man for all seasons, nations, times and ages. Our sons enjoyed Shakespeare's plays when they were in grammar school. I am a scientist but glad that my undergraduate education was in a liberal arts college. I can still recite some of the poems that I read in the world literature course.
Paul Damon
geosciences professor emeritus
