# Art Installation Cleaned Up; thought to be Garbage **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 7, 2006, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702 "2006-04-07T12:10:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/1 "2006-04-07T12:10:08Z")
That’s not a critic;s comment – workmen honestly thought artist Leslie Rech’s installation , “Hannah Dropped Her Basket”, was garbage. It took a bit of a search to find a picture: [http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/14265770.htm?source=rss&channel=thestate\_news](http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/14265770.htm?source=rss&channel=thestate_news) > [@](#): > > Rech says it’s the worst thing that’s happened in her career. Organizers of the exhibit say they’re discussing compensation with the artist. ( from [http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0406artwork-trashed06-ON.html](http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0406artwork-trashed06-ON.html) ) To be fair, the work had been tossed around by a storm before getting tossed out. I can’t really blame the workers – it’s not really obvious, especially under those circumstances. And for the life of me I don’t see how this relates to mental illness and homelessness. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/2 "2006-04-07T12:37:03Z")
> [@](#): > > Rech says it’s the worst thing that’s happened in her career. Organizers of the exhibit say they’re discussing compensation with the artist This is one of those sentences that could be greatly improved by putting quotes around both “career” and “artist”. If the local cleanup committee picks up your work of art, you should probably take that as a hit with the clue bat. OK, it was actually sort of an interesting piece of art. But if you’re going to get the vapors about it and claim that it’s the worst thing that ever happened to your career, then you should consider yourself unusually blessed. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/3 "2006-04-07T13:16:22Z")
Had we known, we could have immortalized the work here: [http://www.museumofbadart.org/](http://www.museumofbadart.org/) Many an enriched hour has been spent perusing these galleries. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/4 "2006-04-07T13:24:51Z")
Eggshells and a dress are called a “sculpture”? I thought creating a sculpture required actual work. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/5 "2006-04-07T13:35:33Z")
Eh, it happens a lot with the conceptual stuff. There was some guy who collected bags of dirt from concentration camps around the world. They got thrown out. He threw a fit because it had to be that specific dirt. The cleaners said they were very sorry. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/6 "2006-04-07T13:49:44Z")
It looks like trash. Especially the eggshells - soon to be rotting eggshells - part. If there wasn’t a sign explaining things, what did she expect was going to happen? It’s trash-looking stuff in an alley. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/7 "2006-04-07T14:13:17Z")
You know, I never really thought about it, but being janitor at a modern art museum must be a pretty tough job. “Aw, geeze, I did it _again_? Cripes, I’m sorry, boss.” Not to mention all the times some pile of garbage festers for weeks because the custodial staff thinks it might be part of the exhibit. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/8 "2006-04-07T14:25:55Z")
Just a note, by the way – I wasn’t trying to bash Modern Art here. I just found it amusing. I note that this kind of thing doesn’t just happen to recent, abstract, or conceptual pieces. I’m not sure how true the stiory is, but the fact that it’s stil told shows that it’s plausible. Supposedlty, Gaugin’s painting “Breton Village Under Snow” was once sold, upside-down, as “Niagara Falls”. Here’s the painting: [http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-p32868180-k24-g4-~Breton+Village+Under+Snow-nover?sourceid=13](http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-p32868180-k24-g4-~Breton+Village+Under+Snow-nover?sourceid=13) Here’s the only on-line mention of the upside-down sale I could find. This doesn’t encourage me about its truthfulness: [http://www.atomicpetals.com/archives/jowens.htm](http://www.atomicpetals.com/archives/jowens.htm) ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/9 "2006-04-07T14:33:21Z")
This is the WORST thing that has ever happened to her? And she’s an artist? Bring on the garret–she needs to do some starving and some suffering. :rolleyes: (and this is the kind of narcissistic, pompous art that I can’t stand. She used the eggs at a women’s shelter? Did that shelter need a massive influx of baked goods right then?) ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/10 "2006-04-07T14:54:03Z")
Well if it was in an alleyway…I don’t see how she can complain. Why whould they expect it there…especiallly if it wasn’t marked as such. That said I have to protest the conceptual art bashing going on. Ok a lot of it is crap (I remember a particular Whitney Gallery Biannal…well I’d rather not). But so is a lot of “real” paintings etc. A lot of it is interesting…and makes you think about being human which is what (well one of the things) that art is for. And some of it is funny which a lot of people seem to miss. Oh and…homemade dress? Sounds like work to me. And who’s to say the homeless women didn’t appreciate a few cakes…I would expect they did. Anyway she does seem to be overreacting. And it’s her own fault for not marking it. But I stand by the rest of it. ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/11 "2006-04-07T15:01:49Z")
> [@](#): > > Since early February, Rech had accumulated 300 eggshells for the work, a statement on homelessness and mental illness Um… :dubious: 😕 I guess I just have a problem with metaphor. But it does bring this quotation to mind… > [@Paul Dirac](#): > > In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it’s the exact opposite. (Poetry, visual art… meh) ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/12 "2006-04-07T15:06:15Z")
I had a similar experience with my masterpiece **Man’s Inhumaity To man (With Carrots)** that I vomited in the carpark at Greasy Louie’s after a night on the piss. I took friends to look at it the next day and it had been hosed away. Philistines. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/13 "2006-04-07T15:20:53Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > Well if it was in an alleyway…I don’t see how she can complain. Why whould they expect it there…especiallly if it wasn’t marked as such. > > That said I have to protest the conceptual art bashing going on. Ok a lot of it is crap (I remember a particular Whitney Gallery Biannal…well I’d rather not). But so is a lot of “real” paintings etc. A lot of it is interesting…and makes you think about being human which is what (well one of the things) that art is for. > > And some of it is funny which a lot of people seem to miss. > > Oh and…homemade dress? Sounds like work to me. And who’s to say the homeless women didn’t appreciate a few cakes…I would expect they did. > > Anyway she does seem to be overreacting. And it’s her own fault for not marking it. > > But I stand by the rest of it. I agree. I like conceptual art for the most part. This piece happened to be poorly executed. It didn’t make a statement. It just made a mess. No one paused to consider it. No one pauses to consider the stack of dishes in my sink, either, with the exception of my husband. “Embittered housewife raging about the lack of cooperation in 21st century American households? Now THAT’S art. Christ…I better not wash them.” ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/14 "2006-04-07T16:43:17Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I agree. I like conceptual art for the most part. This piece happened to be poorly executed. It didn’t make a statement. It just made a mess. No one paused to consider it. No one pauses to consider the stack of dishes in my sink, either, with the exception of my husband. “Embittered housewife raging about the lack of cooperation in 21st century American households? Now THAT’S art. Christ…I better not wash them.” Yes! And I have here for your inspiration Dust Bunnies From Hell–a commentary on Women’s Roles in the 21st century. I put Bunny ears on the dust bunnies, my statement on porn, exploitation and gender identity. I’m expecting a call from the MOMA at any time… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/15 "2006-04-07T17:01:14Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Yes! And I have here for your inspiration Dust Bunnies From Hell–a commentary on Women’s Roles in the 21st century. I put Bunny ears on the dust bunnies, my statement on porn, exploitation and gender identity. > > I’m expecting a call from the MOMA at any time… 😛 I think we’re on to something, sister. Say “So long!” to poverty and anonymity. We’re goin’ places. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/16 "2006-04-07T17:08:04Z")
Right on! Let’s do a dual installation–you bring your dining room table clutter and I’ll bring the duct tape. Whee! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/17 "2006-04-07T17:16:15Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Right on! > > Let’s do a dual installation–you bring your dining room table clutter and I’ll bring the duct tape. > > Whee! We can start a movement! 21st Century Slackerists. _Trailblazers Eleanorigby and Kalhoun lead a group of popular “minimalist” artists utilizing a “less is more” technique. Less housework, more recognition._ I’m sure getting noticed around here! ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/18 "2006-04-07T17:25:25Z")
I’ll reflect on your dust bunnies and raise you one “Breaking Down of the sociological divide between human and animal” - it’s a simple exhibit, really. Best described to the unimaginative as “overflowing litterbox”. I believe I hear Animal Rights Groups everywhere calling for copies to spread the word. I’m thinking of adding a scoop but I’m afraid that the symbolism will be lost. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/19 "2006-04-07T17:38:11Z")
> [@Salem](#): > > I’ll reflect on your dust bunnies and raise you one “Breaking Down of the sociological divide between human and animal” - it’s a simple exhibit, really. Best described to the unimaginative as “overflowing litterbox”. I believe I hear Animal Rights Groups everywhere calling for copies to spread the word. I’m thinking of adding a scoop but I’m afraid that the symbolism will be lost. That’s beautiful. You’re in! ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702/20 "2006-04-07T17:46:44Z")
An artist’s collective! Bloomsbury group will have nothing on us! I can bring my “interface between the natural world and Western civilization” (aka as my overflowing garden trug). The gnats and mosquitos come free! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-cleaned-up-thought-to-be-garbage/351702.md?page=2)