From the Feb 10 – Feb 16, 2005 issue

Columns

Letters to the Editor

YIN-YANG YANKED
TO THE STRANGER: Any chance you could forward this on to the art thieves ["The Art of the Steal," Erica C. Barnett and Nate Lippens, Feb 3] to see if they're the ones who stole the yin-yang street sign out of my yard? Because I'd really like to get it back.

Llyra de la Mere

TRY HAVOC
TO THE EDITOR: I hope your readers find it obvious that these pathetic pranksters targeted Dylan Neuwirth (then employed at ConWorks), then asked for his help getting a show (at ConWorks), only to publicly declare his work "worthless crap." The blatant disregard to the monetary and emotional havoc they wreak on both artists and galleries in effect undermines the very art scene they want to be a part of. These guys really are brilliant--let's shit on the whole art scene so we'll finally be able to be a part of it!

Mahalie Pech

cover art, not theft
TO THE EDITOR: Excuse me, but isn't it the job of the visual arts writers to analyze current works on display and place them in a context for the public to better appreciate them? Or is it just to report on the high jinks of a few under-inspired pranksters? Barnett and Lippens' analytical capabilities seem to be limited to noting that one of the art thieves is "a scruffily handsome artist," while resorting to using quotes from your previous art writer to describe the actual art.

Quit panting over the boys and note that the stealing-art thing is neither interesting nor intelligent. Meanwhile, many people are actually interested in reading about current visual art shows, and are bored of reading the soapy dramas of the Seattle arts community in the visual arts column. Maybe researching art isn't as much fun as delving into local gossip, but give it a try. It would be a change for the better.

Francesca Berrini

CALL the cops
FROM ERICA C. BARNETT'S VOICE MAIL: "Hello, Erica, this is Brian [Salt] again. What I was going to say is that this incident just compounds the fact that The Stranger has irresponsible reporters, has nothing but sensationalism in mind, and is a very unprofessional paper. But I'm sure you know that, working there. I'm sure you know that you are an unprofessional reporter. Again, I urge you to report these people to the police because what they were doing is wrong, it's illegal, it's damaging artists, and it's damaging galleries. If you are unable to do this, you will be talking to the police and I can promise you that. Goodbye."

RETURN MY ART
TO THE EDITOR: How do I get in touch with these Fillistine folks? I want to know if they have a photograph that was taken from our house. I live with three others in a very large house located on the edge of the Arboretum in Seattle. We are known for hosting costume house parties, wine tastings, and art parties on a regular basis. In December 2003, at our Anti-Christmas Party, a black-and-white photograph of dead flowers and power lines was taken from our front bathroom.

I am distraught and want it back. The photograph was given to me by a local photographer Nichole DeMent; she is a mentor and a great friend. If anyone knows where this work of art might be, I implore you, please return it.

John Karl

THAT AIN'T ART
DEAR ERICA AND NATE: Thanks for your interesting article on the gang of thieves in Seattle. I read about this via coverage of it in Arts Journal and felt moved, no, compelled to speak about this. This is NOT ART, it is low-life, evil, and nasty little-boy pranksterism.

I am an artist, a professional. It is the responsibility of reporters covering art to have the highest ethics, for they become arbiters of taste, by the very fact of being able to publicize, and often in the eyes of the public, validate the actions and the products of artists. I would urge you both to assess and consider your responsibility in reportage and critique, for this would be an ideal opportunity for you to speak to the importance of standards and the need for actual quality and value in art for it to be called art. If this distinction is not maintained then the word art itself will fail to have any real meaning.

Chris Gerlach

IT IS SO ART
DEAR STRANGER: You've probably taken a lot of flack in the days since the publication of your article on art thieves; a post on Craigslist implied that you may be held accountable for abetting criminals since you know who the thieves are. One self-titled artist was astonished that "these gallery owners, artists, and even The Stranger staff would just sit back and let this all happen" while another gutted the Fillistines as "jerks [that] should be arrested."

It is truly sad that these Craigslisters refer to themselves as artists and can still be so blind to the real art that is happening, of which they are an integral part. By "real art," I mean anything that prompts original discussion, such as what is happening now with the issue of a criminal act being art. These artists should be glad to have had their pieces stolen; it rendered them in the middle of this situation that is probably going to be the highlight of their careers. They're certainly getting more press with their art no longer visible than when it was in the gallery for all to see.

Rob Thoms