The War Is Over

The Seattle Art Museum has finally settled the disputed ownership of the 1928 Henri Matisse painting Odalisque--which, the museum agreed, had been stolen from the Rosenburg family by Nazis during WWII. Although SAM had acquired the painting in good faith from local collectors in 1991, who had purchased it in good faith from Knoedler Gallery in 1954, the case illustrated the problems of provenance and was closely watched by the art world; the October 12 settlement, which precludes a trial, is a relief to all parties. Quoted in The Art Newspaper, Knoedler Gallery President Ann Freedman said, "Taking a complex case like this to trial might have seriously disrupted relationships across the art world among art dealers, museums, collectors and patrons." As part of the settlement, SAM will receive from Knoedler a significant piece of artwork of the museum's choice, or the equivalent in cash. TRACI VOGEL


It's Not All Pretty Fish

Tensions were high at the Pike Place Market last Wednesday. Approximately 30 street performers crowded the Market's underground management office to vent frustrations about having to fight for ridiculously limited space. There are 14 designated performance spots around the Market, and nearly 300 performers with permits competing for them. The clown, who sat in the back decked out in bright colors, a funny nose, and giant glasses, silently frowned. A man with a cowboy hat and dirty fingernails shifted in his corner seat next to a pile of guitars. Meanwhile, the blue guy was perfectly still. "Mismanagement of the [Market's] cave has caused conflict," charged an angry guitarist, who was then asked to leave. This is the sad backstage scene that tourists miss as they get their jollies watching the famous fish guys. ALLIE HOLLY-GOTTLIEB


Hassled by The Man

During President Bill Clinton's recent visit to Seattle, Secret Service agents forced Seattle artist Ed Matlock to remove three paintings from an exhibition hung in Nation restaurant. Evidently, the scenes depicted in the three paintings--a president at a podium, a lone gunman brandishing a weapon, and a dramatic reaction shot of a security officer--were inducing anxiety in our nation's president, who, from his vantage point at the Westin Hotel across the street, had a sniper's-eye view of the offending images through Nation's large, second-story windows. Thomas Hurley III, another artist exhibitioning in the same space, describes the situation: "We saw all these security guards staring at us. Every time we were by the windows, they were totally on us with their binoculars and walkie-talkies." A few minutes later, two "slick guys" entered the Nation space and identified themselves as Secret Service officers.

"We want to know whose paintings these are, and what kind of point you're trying to make," they demanded.

"Well, the point is really just the aesthetics of the paint," Hurley replied.

"These paintings are making the president uncomfortable. We suggest you take these paintings down," the officers said. "We're not telling you that you have to do it, but we very seriously suggest you take them down now."

The officers stood with their arms crossed until the offending paintings were taken down. JAMIE HOOK