Readers sound off on SAM and movie manners
This week, readers sounded off about art critic Sheila Farr’s Seattle Art Museum report card and movie critic Moira Macdonald’s movie manners manifesto (both in Entertainment & the Arts, Nov. 11). To see the original stories, go to www.seattletimes.com/entertainment.
SAM … naked?
I have long felt that SAM is like the king with no clothes - it’s supposed to be a Seattle icon and everyone is afraid to point out the king has no clothes on.
I think you nailed it when you said the problem is a lack of identity and direction.
Jurate Harrison, EdmondsOr just thinking small?
I completely agree with your review of the two shows at SAM right now - both fall far short of their potential, and neither really “live” in the space in which they’re set. As far as the Jacob Lawrence [painting] - what could they have possibly been thinking? To miss [the opportunity to purchase] such an iconic work as this for what in today’s art market is a bargain-basement price is truly pitiful.
It seems that all of the recent changes at the museum are on the surface only - they’re still thinking like a small museum while they’re pretending to have moved into the bigger ranks. I hope they can get their heads out of the sand and provide some real artistic direction that befits the mostly wonderful space of the new building.
Tim Greyhavens, Seattle
Rude, smelly, sick (and tall) people, go home!
I’ve been to theaters where before the movie an usher or manager will come in and welcome everyone and then clearly announce to everyone (many who continue talking during the announcement) that for the courtesy and enjoyment of the movie to please turn off your cellphones and pagers … and they still ring!
I’ve been to movies where we can be pretty much the only ones in the theater, and not even choosing prime seating (center, closer), and it never fails - before we know it, we are surrounded by rude, chatty, overly perfumed, smelly, sick (coughing and sneezing), big-tall people … gosh! I know we’re really cool, but seriously!
Joy H., Bellevue
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