I usually keep out of these political issues that run rampant in the art world because I think they are the ruination of it. I really prefer not to write anything and stick to showing art and videos of artists.
In this case I think things are getting out of hand so I will tell you what I know about Charlie. I call him Charlie, and not Mr. Finch, because while living in New York my wife and I and other friends spent a lot of time with him at our apartment having dinners, hanging out on our rooftop, attending receptions and talking about art. By the way, I was renting my apartment from another artnet.com writer, and a women, Michele Cone. I would say from my personal experience that Charlie is a very intelligent, warm hearted, yet brutally honest writer, qualities I respect and that I think are in short supply today. He is no saint, but who of us are?
I happen to agree with him on what he wrote about Elizabeth Murray, and this has nothing to do with her being a woman, he has crucified many a man with equal fervor. This issue of Ms. Frank that I have read in some blog posts is a confusing one to me. By looking at the work without any backstory, it appears her work is anything but feminist.
I should also mention Charlie was, and it appears still is an advocate for young artists of both sexes. I know this because he championed my work to galleries, just as he and others are doing for Ms. Frank. I know many writers who don't spend an once of energy doing this, not to mention that he has written about her in the first place. His views seem fair and honest if not wholly positive. This is what most artists hope to get and rarely do.
Wouldn't it me great if eveyone had more respect for views that they don't share and didn't use personal and political attacks as their response? Wouldn't it be great instead if everyone would work towards the common goal of getting the recognition for the visual arts that they deserve?
For myself, I have found that the most rewarding part of being an artist is having the opportunity of getting to know others who share my love for art, like Charlie Finch.
OTHER VIEWS
http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/features/finch/finch2-9-06.asp
http://www.fallonandrosof.com/2006/02/finch-artnet-and-missed-opportunities.html
http://heartasarena.blogspot.com/2006/02/totally-fnched.html
http://artfagcity.blogspot.com/2006/02/wishing-for-irrelevance.html
http://anonymousfemaleartist.blogspot.com/
http://fromthefloor.blogspot.com/2006/02/calling-all-guerrilla-girls.html
