420 W 14th Street, New York, NY 10014
www.Kellergallery.com
212.414.4014
Tuesday-Saturday: 11-6
L E T T E R S
February
MATERIAL EXPRESSION:
NEW WORKS WITH GLASS
March
.i
BETH LIPMAN
4
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Mail
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New
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New Sei« Album
The cover of the December/January
2010 American Craft.
Cheers for Plumbers
M y writing is prompted by
the line in Jack Lenor Larsen’s
letter to the editor (Decem-
ber/! anuary), “ .
. .50 years ago
when we thought we were
part of design and architec-
ture, and happy making work
that was useful.
..”
Over the last 30 years
working in the architectural
arena, I have watched codes
and classifications (levied to
line the pockets of organiza-
tions) stiffen, regulating the
playing field. Creativity can be
washed away with these limits
and legislation; as well, end-
less verbal battles over
what
is art
and
what is design,
never
mind
what is craft,
are mostly
tiring rather than enlightening.
It has been my good fortune
to work with highly skilled
tradesmen. Beautifully sol-
dered copper joints with art-
fully placed copper conduits
are no less worthy than the
drawings for the building in
which the plumbers’ work
is executed. I wish to go back
further than Larsen’s 50 years.
Let us remember that the art-
work in the Sistine Chapel
was executed by someone
who, in his time, was consid-
ered a common laborer.
One point of Larsen’s let-
ter, I believe, is that we are a
part of a whole in the pursuit
of making our living environ-
ment beautiful and cohesive.
I appreciate what American
Craft provides as springboard
for thought and discussion.
ANN E. GRASSO
Providence, RI
Kalm an Conversation II
We were excited to see that
the cover of the October/No-
vember issue is an image by
Lauren Kalman that we
bought for the Museum of
Fine Arts, Boston. Including
two others that illustrate your
essay, you unknowingly pub-
lished three of the four we
presented to the museum.
Both Dale Anderson (collec-
tor of sometimes-challenging
art, to whom I happen to be
married) and Kelly L’Ecuyer,
curator of contemporary jew-
elry at the M
f a ,
loved this
work, and we are all delighted
that you took it seriously and
have published it with such
gusto,
b r a v o !!
DOUG ANDERSON
Palm Beach, FL
I have enjoyed your informa-
tive articles, variety of craft
forms, and listings and ads
of places to find quality craft-
work. Yet, I feel your maga-
zine has been on a deteriorat-
ing course and is failing to
highlight work of quality de-
sign and craftsmanship. I now
find little in it that would rank
as fine crafts, which contra-
dicts the fine work still to be
found at your craft fairs.
The October/November
issue with its tasteless cover
and horrid article has con-
firmed that I will not be re-
newing my membership.
DAN HARDISON
Wilmington, NC
www.journal-plaza.net & www.freedowns.net
