The American Spectator

Scotty Uhrich BR>Glyndon, Minnesota p>There are artists who see all of the silliness in the art world for what it is. For example, one of my undergraduate painting instructors would advise his students when assessing a work of art to ask the question, “Is it art? Or is it Art News?” ( Art News being the slick glossy monthly that was the vehicle for establishing one's avant garde creds.) Another professor of a friend used to say “If you can't make it good, make it big. If you can't make it big, make it red.” This proves that at least someone within the art world sees things as they are and can make fun of them. BR>— Darrell Judd p>I must protest Mr. Orlet's insinuation that “Twain,” the rusted metal sculpture in downtown St. Louis, is a useless pile of rubbish. On the contrary, I have noticed it is very useful as a place for vagrants to defecate, and as overflow urinal during the St. Patrick's Day Parade. We would have a serious restroom crisis in downtown St. Louis without it. p>Truly, the “critics” who utilize this great piece of work do not know much about art, but they know what they like! BR>— Timothy Birdnow BR>St. Louis, Missouri p>Speaking of performance art: p>”At the San Francisco Art Institute (a graduate school) Professor Tony Labat told his students to create a piece of performance art. One of the students, Jonathan Yegge, took 'performance art' at its broadest definition. After finding a volunteer, Yegge took his helper out to a public campus area. In Yegge's words, the following ensued: 'He was tied up. He had a blindfold and a gag, but he could see and talk through it. He had freedom of movement of his pelvis. I engaged in oral sex with him and he engaged in oral sex with me. I had given him an enema…There was a security guard present. There was an instructor from the school present. It was videoed, and the piece was over.' Labat, the professor, said that the piece was 'bad art [1].' Yegge claimed that Labat had approved the piece beforehand. The school condemned Yegge — for not using sexual protection! Having mutual gay oral sex and exchanging excrement in public isn't a problem, but doing it unprotected is.” Ben Shapiro, Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth.