Dear Pilot,
That drawing was controversial right up to the last! On the day before the festival closed, a young lady ripped the tape off. I suppose since it was so near the end of the showing, the museum just decided not to put the tape back on so everyone got to see the drawing the way the artist wanted it for the last two days.
And one would have thought that finally would be the last of it, but a couple weeks ago, there was an editorial in the Trib about how the whole thing was just a big publicity stunt. They said that the artist called all the newspapers to complain about the museum censoring his art so they would talk about it and more people would come to see it. And then they said that Mr. Paley was wise to it too. He let the reporters take pictures of the drawing with and without the tape and then he told them he looked forward to seeing the photos in the paper the next day. Since none of the papers printed the pictures without the tape, none of them could really say anything about whether the museum shouldn’t have put tape on it either.
They made it sound like a lot of scheming was involved, but I know publicity stunts. There’s quite a bit of difference between planning something like this and just being quick enough to take advantage of it when it happens on its own. It did get people to come look at the art though… and the rest of the museum since they were already here. Mr. Paley would have been right at home on the Q.
My guides found your cars’ discussion quite interesting! They say that it does bear out in some ways. The museum does have displays that show the insides of people and that those are firmly considered science (no postcard of that; they say it’s like the baby exhibit and doesn’t look nice for photos. I rather agree that the insides of people are best if they stay inside.) These exhibits do show the parts they put tape over on the drawing though so it’s okay for children to see them if they are science and not art?
I wonder if the Art Institute has these kinds of troubles or if people give them more leeway because it says there’ll be art right in the name? To think we thought displaying industry was going to be the tricky part!
I’m sure the people of Milwaukee will miss their Old Smokey, but I’m sure they also think it’s for the best. Being an outdoor exhibit really takes a lot of care and maintenance, especially with the weather we have. You and I have been lucky in that way to be looked after, but it does demand resources. Being placed in a shed first thing is going to do her a world of good. Your barns are big with lots of engines all together, right? I never had the proper roundhouse experience, but it sounds cozy to get shut up in a shed at night with everyone else. I hope she’s enjoying herself and getting to know all her new yardmates.
It might not be a roundhouse, but our lawn gets cozy at night too, once everyone settles down and resolves to set any arguments aside until tomorrow. I hope you and your cars are enjoying the same warmer evenings.
Your friend,
Pioneer