Sir, – I refer to Cllr Mark Cooney’s request to the Luan gallery to remove the exhibit by artist Shane Cullen, because he considers it “offensive” (“Controversial artwork prompts Athlone protests”, Home News, January 8th).
This was a big mistake on Mr Cooney’s part. If one wishes to have a work of modern art removed from public view, the last thing one should do is to describe it as “offensive”.
Modern art thrives on being offensive or shocking. It is much better for an exhibit to offend or shock than simply hang in an exhibition unnoticed for three months.
Mr Cooney “admitted it [the exhibit] was a piece of art”. Another mistake here. Modern artists have had a lot of fun for the better part of a century declaring to the public that certain mundane, manufactured household articles are, or are part of, works of art.
In conceding that a common noticeboard is “a piece of art”, Mr Cooney has conceded half the battle. He should have left it to Shane Cullen to prove the value of his dubious artistic currency.
As to my writing to you on this subject – a third mistake I fear! – Yours, etc,