Controversial Exhibit Remains on View
at San Diego PL
Lacking a quorum, three members of the San Diego Public Library commission took no action December 17 on a request by several area parents to cut short an art exhibit at the Pacific Beach branch. Don and Lety Salom had complained that Nathaniel Clark’s 26-painting show included images of naked women being eyed by frail-looking elderly men, which were unsuitable viewing by children who visit the library gallery.
Nine people came to defend the paintings’ retention, including a parent who said she “had no problem with it” even after her 10-year-old saw the show, SDPL Director Anna Tatar told American Libraries. Only the Saloms spoke against the exhibit, although they brought with them a number of pro-removal faxes sent in response to the Saloms’ December 15 “call-to-action” letter that radio personality Dr. Laura Schlessinger posted to her Web site.
“It is gratifying,” Clark said in the San Diego Union-Tribune of the resulting publicity, although “it was not how I wanted my work to gain attention.”
Posted December 27, 1999.
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