Jolley Good!
I was incredulous when I read The Long Haul by Heather Joyner in your Feb. 20 issue regarding the Richard Jolley exhibit at the KMA. Ms. Joyner, you are entitled to your opinion, but in the guise of credible art critic, it would behoove you to be an educated one. There are few artists as young as Jolley who have created a body of work as extensive, diverse, and provocative to merit a museum retrospective.
Your familiarity with the field of glass art, probably the fastest growing art medium, is obviously minimal. I have attended several events and weekends which were peopled by prestigious and knowledgeable glass art collectors, artists, museum directors, and gallery owners from a wide diversity of places. Jolley's reputation in his field is one of international acclaim, and his works are always among the most popular with glass enthusiasts. He is one of the few artists in the contemporary art glass movement, for example, who makes his own colors.
Your review implies that Jolley is merely a popular local artist without the tremendous following and respect he enjoys throughout the art world.
In rebuttal to your criticism of the number of ancillary events scheduled with the Jolley showing, they were made available by individual and group patron support such as The Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, a national organization. I could counter every one of your deprecating judgments, but I'd rather your readers go to the Knoxville Museum of Art between now and May 26 to discover for themselves the wonder of Richard Jolley's exciting work.
Arlene Goldstine
Knoxville
Northern Aggression?
So, let me get this straight. General Stonewall Jackson was an 1860s version of Osama Bin Laden, and all men who serve in the military are war-mongers who have no religion or moral fibers to guide their actions? Who writes this stuff? Obviously Jesse Fox Mayshark hasn't read a history book in a long, long time.
As a Southerner and a proud descendent of a War Between the States CSA Veteran, I am deeply appalled by the Feb. 27 review of Gods & Generals that appeared in the Metro Pulse. Your scathing review is an affront to me, my ancestors, and to everyone else who loves the South and our proud history.
Generals Lee & Jackson were very religious men who loved their homes, their country, their families and their men. Above all, however, they loved God and truly believed that he would allow them to prevail in their struggle for independence. Contrary to your belief, Mr. Mayshark, a deep faith in God does not automatically qualify one for fanatic status. Gods & Generals is based upon a historical fiction novel written by Jeff Shaara that is called by the same name as the film. This movie was not intended to be an apologia for the Confederacy, it was intended to present the story of the War Between the States as it was in the beginning of the conflict, from 1860-1863.
The War Between the States was not centered around slavery, although that is what we have all been taught. The issues of commerce and states rights are what prompted the secession of Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America. The CSA simply wanted the freedom to conduct their own government as they saw fit without the interference of an outside government. Hhmm, isn't it interesting to note that the United States of America is still trying to tell other countries how to run their governments?
My advice to Mr. Mayshark is this: The next time you are assigned to review a historically-based film, get your head out of the sand and into a history book.
R.K. Williams
Sevierville
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