Critical Mistake
Lisa Discepoli Line's current exhibit was one of the few shows that I have actually seen with my own eyes prior to reading the Metro Pulse review of it (Artbeat, Feb. 7). I have to say that, in this case, Heather Joyner's critique seems to be way off.
I found the exhibit to be a stunning display of artistic talent. The detail and vitality of the trees alone was tremendous and nothing close to "a big bowl of chips without anything to dip them into." Joyner acknowledges Line's obvious skill and the beauty of her work and then slips into a muddled critique of Line's intentions. The writer professes to know Line's "subconscious self" more intimately that the artist herself, while acknowledging that Joyner may be "harsh" or "missing the point" with her pivotal revelations and astounding conclusions about the true nature of Line's work.
The thing that struck me about Joyner's review is that the quotes she uses from Line's artist statement basically reiterate most of Joyner's conclusions, but the writer does not seem to realize this, believing that her interpretations of the paintings conflict with the artist's intentions and that her view is the correct one. For instance, Joyner argues, "it seems that Line's true subject is desire," then later uses a quote from the artist, "These things speak about the human condition of need. It's part of being alive to need something, to desire something..."
Joyner's reviews are almost always insightful, but I think in this case she needs to acknowledge that an artist may know her own subconscious more completely than any viewer.
Catherine Gebo
Jamestown
The Nashville-Knoxville Connection
We would like to thank you for your wonderful article [cover, Jan. 31] about Nashville and specifically about the work of our firm. We have been fortunate to receive several important commissions in the Nashville area, and we are very pleased over your good words about our city and our architectural projects.
You should know that Jon Coddington, head of the graduate program at the University of Tennessee College of Architecture, was a prominent member of our statewide team responsible for the design of our Bicentennial Mall urban park. Jon's knowledge and keen insight was very valuable in the early planning stages of the design of the Mall, and he remained involved throughout the design process. In addition, the Mall benefited enormously from the exceptional design work of gifted landscape architect Mike Fowler of the Knoxville firm of Ross/Fowler. We remain most grateful for the excellent input and great work of these two individuals on the design of the Mall.
As you may also know, the new director of the Nashville Civic Design Center is Mark Schimmenti, also a professor from UT's College of Architecture. Mark moved here last year and is already making a substantial impact on the city. The College of Architecture is supporting Mark's presence at the Civic Design Center as part of its statewide outreach design commitment, and we are benefiting from this important program and Mark's fine work.
We hope that on your next visit to Nashville you will take time to visit our office.
Kem Hinton, FAIA
Tuck Hinton Architects PLC
Nashville
Unsung Jazz
As a resident of Oak Ridge since early 1944 and a professional musician in the early '50s and '60s (with considerable name-band experience during that time), I feel qualified to say, after a Bijou experience hearing Vance Thompson's jazz orchestra, that they are the unsung heroes of the greater Knoxville area! With Mr. Thompson's arrangements (he could be the next Quincy Jones) and the top flight musicianship of the group, my wife and I have followed them wherever they are performing. I feel qualified to say that they arguably could be the best in the land—I only use the word "arguably" as we haven't hit every state in the union.
To those who haven't heard the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, you owe it to yourself to attend a performance and I'll bet you want to go again and again and again!
Ronald Horn
Oak Ridge
Positively Pleasing
Thank you for the great article on Raja Jubran in your Feb. 14 issue. It is so pleasant to read a positive and enlightening article about the contributions and achievements of an Arab-American in the print media. This comes at a time when most Americans are fed a plate of nothing but negative and biased information about the Arabs in general, and the Palestinians in particular, in the mainstream media.
Basel S. Natour
Knoxville
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