THE JOHN ADAMS SOCIETY
William G. Carpenter Mark S. Sanquist Christopher T.Wolff Marina Wolff
Chairman Secretary Chief Whip Chancellor
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Please note change of day: February 16th
“It was Public Art, defined as art that is purchased by experts who are not spending their own personal money.”
— Dave Barry
WHEN OUR ELECTED LEADERS SPEND MONEY their priorities are getting votes, avoiding criticism from the left, and getting some of that money into their own pockets. When spending on “art” they prefer the Avant-Garde. Only the great-unwashed who don’t “get art” would object to a public display of anything so expensive and repulsive. Once the art is unveiled, the objections fade away as we become accustomed to the newest pigeon-perch.
We know the new public art reflects the consensus because no one tries to remove any of it. The only statues being removed or defaced are those that represent our history and heritage. Our elected leaders quickly cave to the consensus and remove such statues and replace them with abstract objects that are both unrecognizable and titillating. In the country that invented internet porn, who can say that this isn’t the consensus?
ON THE OTHER HAND, how can public art cement a consensus if there isn’t a consensus in the first place? How many small-scale reproductions of Boston’s new tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King have been sold to people who want it in their homes? Are art critics who tell us what we like any more convincing than our leaders telling us the border is secure? We must defend public art that reflects our history, our dreams, our triumphs and failures, and our love of our country.
THE CHAIRMAN, who’s idea of Avant-Garde art now extends to the 1850s, has called for a debate to settle the question:
RESOLVED: Public Art Cements the Mediocrity of Consensus
The Debate will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Burger Moe’s, 242 West 7th Street, St. Paul, MN 55102.
The Chancellor and Chairman encourage people to arrive before 7 o’clock p.m. and to thank our host venue by spending money while partaking of food and drink. The debate will begin at half past seven.
Gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie, and ladies are asked to uphold a similar sartorial standard. For gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will have on hand several from his remarkable collection. Questions regarding caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 703-6021.