ARTS FUNDING

Local artist John Fleck misses the point in his complaint regarding NEA cutbacks on grants to artists producing “obscene” or “pornographic” material (“They Can’t Shut Me Up,” Aug. 27).

Most taxpayers that I know don’t want to stop Fleck and others from creating any type of art that they choose to. We just don’t like being forced to pay for it.

Any person wishing to can purchase a ticket to a performance or buy a painting and hang it on their wall. If an artist is unable to support himself by selling his work, then I suggest that he get a “day job” and stop looking to the government to bail him out.

ALBERT FLYNN

Los Angeles

*

Many people work jobs they hate because they need to earn a living. Fleck’s artistic sensibility doesn’t put him above such mundane concerns, nor are we obligated to fund the literal and figurative crap he and his ilk wish to hurl at the American public because they think it’s good for us!

Fleck and his lunatic fringe can freely create what passes for their art. Further, the First Amendment guarantees him the right to whine. Just don’t expect me to pick up the tab. I’m saving my money for a print of the dogs playing poker. Now that’s art!

JEFFREY C. GENTILE

Redondo Beach

*

I found it interesting that you would publish in last Sunday’s Calendar a well-written analysis by John Fleck of the gutting of the NEA and its oppressive effect upon controversial artists, and at the same time edit David Duchovny’s quote in the Garry Shandling article, substituting “a------” for the actual word.

WILLIAM KING

Sherman Oaks