What to do with "offensive" artworks?

[BruceN]

Bruce,
You may be correct, but trained artists generally have a pretty thorough history background.

Perhaps, but the odds of a Southern California artist of that era being well versed in local Idaho lore still seem a bit long to me...

The historical importance may not be that the event happened as depicted, but that what was depicted was allowed -- or chosen -- to be painted on the courthouse walls.

Touché.

An out of work artist is a bit of a redundancy

 

[anyte]

The murals were painted in California and then moved to the court house. I believe they have value, but I don't think the court house is the appropriate place for them. Not because some people will find it offensive, but because they won't get the recognition that they may deserve there. I think it would be best to move them to a museum where those who can appreciate art and history will do so, and those who are offended can run along without stopping for closer examination.

Everyone is offended by something and there is no way to ensure that all people are equally satisfied to the last degree. All we can do is compromise. Some people won't be happy if the murals are moved, and some people won't be happy if they stay. Moving them makes more sense as the murals could be better preserved in a museum than in a court house.

 

[lkorell]

When any artwork is commissioned as a part of a structure, it does not get any special treatment if the structure is modified or removed. If it was a set of paintings it would be easy to move them to another location for viewing, but in the case of a mural on a public building, it is not art as much as it is decoration. So if the decor changes, so does the artwork. C'est la vie.
I don't think it is a question of offensive or not. If it is practical to remodel the structure, then the changes could necessitate the removal of the mural no matter what the content. Some people however will use the content as a political tool to make a statement regardless.

Lou

 

[unregistered]

Actually keeping the murals up might remind society of the horrific acts done to others in the past and help to guide them not to do it again in the future. Since history has a way of repeating itself, having a constant reminder might just help stop it from happening again.