Untitled Wall Relief, Craig Kauffman, 1967.
In what is being called an "extremely upsetting" event, two artworks on loan to Paris' Pompidou Center have been completely destroyed. The French claim it was accidental, but also shrug off responsibilty for the losses. From the Times:
"It's not our guilt," Catherine Grenier, who curated the show for the Pompidou, said from her Paris home. "For me, it's not a coincidence. These two works were made of the same materials, and made in the same period. And both were incredibly fragile."
Wrong, Ms. Grenier, it is your guilt. Our cultural treasures have been destroyed and you blame the art itself? Incroyable! And while the works were of similar materials, they were not the same. Of course France has more classical masterworks in one room of the Louvre then Los Angeles has in its best museum, but as for late 20th century art, LA kicks ass over most of the world. This carelessness or arrogance only shows that LA needs to hold its head high when it comes to our post-modern masters, and not be so trusting of other museums who may not fully appreciate or understand the works created and owned by this fair city.
