I was thinking about the Ten Commandments issue in Alabama, and wondering if there had been a similar situation where artistic value was brought into consideration. I know that some artwork has been sponsored by Government money and other people have objected to that art, but it was protected as artistic expression. I’m also not much of an museum goer, but I would be willing to bet that there are Government museums that payed for and displayed at least one piece of heavily religious themed art somewhere in the USA.
I had the thought that a lawyer could try to defend a 5 ton monument as artistic expression, regardless of whatever text happens to be on it. And I’m sure I’m not the first one to think of it.
I don’t want to debate about it, as there are plenty of posts about it in the appropriate forums. My question is does anybody know of specific case where there was a matter like that was brought up that I can read? I’m always curious about grey areas where laws seem to collide. For all I know they may have brought it up in the Alabama case, but it wasn’t mentioned in any report I could find.