apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I love this seemingly small change that the Obamas are making. There's nothing wrong with 19th century landscapes, but it's great to see some more resent work celebrated in the White House.

I gotta say, I hope that Ruscha piece doesn't match the President's thought process... just a leeeetle bit indecisive.

Change is good....but they haven't accomplished the diversity goal, as Diebenkorn, deStael, Albers, Degas, and Ruscha are are white male artists.

FishGuy, it's not okay to discriminate against your group or any group, but the human race has not evolved to a point where discrimination isn't a part of our societal structure. The group may change but practices stay the same. So, I empathize with you, but as a five year old would say, " You're it!"

FishGuy, I'm guessing you have been asked to step to the back of the application line because you cannot spell or express a thought clearly and concisely.

Don't blame others for your shortcomings.

It is not a matter of discrimination but representation. It would be nice if the art in the White House represented the diversity of the population of the United States, as it has not to this point.

FishGuy: The White House still has a large permanent collection stuffed to the gills with (what I'm assuming is) your particular gender and racial/ethnic group. It's not as if the Obamas are tossing the old 18th and 19th century paintings onto the compost heap and replacing them all with abstract pieces by lesbian women of color. Read the article before you get all up in arms.

As a person of color, I am weary of accusations of reverse racism, no matter how delicately they are put. Racism and sexism are systematic. A few isolated instances of prejudice do not equal an entire system built and sustained on excluding and oppressing certain groups.

In any case, I think what the Obamas are doing is fantastic. Hopefully they will bring attention to some lesser-known artists.

I don't care what the artist (co-worker/employee/politician) looks like, what their sky-god's name is or who they sleep with...

...I just like pretty pictures and smart people.

The Obamas are a modern family. With the first children in the White House in some time - they must look at this as a way to educate their daughters in their own home. What a thrilling opportunity to have!

I think I would choose to renew and re-energerize what was most likely a very conservative decorative style...

Raina, there is no need for insults.

It's fresh & exciting & no doubt long overdue.

I'm trying to wrap my head around the thought of having a couple of bronze Degas sculptures sitting on my endtables.

Imagining myself nudging one out of the way so I have somewhere to set my book and a coke.....

OMG

I think the wording of the main post is a little bit confusing. Because the specific artworks mentioned obviously aren't all by "African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and female artists". It also seems a little out of what we know about the character of the Obamas to request something so limited in scope. Does the author of the main post have a specific source they are quoting? Maybe it is that the Obamas requested that any range of paintings brought to their attention for consideration be sure to include these kind of artworks? (and I can see how this could be slightly misconstrued as "only include").

As the US economy continues to decline, those modern paintings will become a symbol of Liberalism's ineptitude.

In regards to art, unless you are looking for art with racial themes, I do not see why you would ask for art from specific ethnic groups.
I agree with bepsf. They should hang art that they like regardless of origin.
That said, we are fighting over third hand semantics.

FishGuy: Sigh. Trolling.

The fact that Fish Guy thinks the Obamas' attempt to have something other than some Homer Winslow-type stuff in the White House means he's being discriminated against is proof to me that we have a very, very long way to go.

I'm with you, Ohjodi. That's exactly what I thought when I read the part about the Degas statues!

FishGuy, completely understand where you're coming from and I'm not white or a male. But I do have 3 brothers who are fine artists, while that doesn't make me an expert in any way, I do have a better understanding of the art world than a few people.

I think the Obamas want to show the world that the art realm extends farther than the likes of artists such as Van Gogh and Monet, as well as still lifes and landscapes. In times where art is under-appreciated and funded, in schools and in general, I think they're trying to show support to the minorities of the common person's view of art. They thought to themselves, "Let's go for the artists and work who haven't been represented." I think this is especially important because they have 2 young daughters and Michelle Obama seems like the type of woman who wants strong role models for her girls as well as the rest of the world. While this can be viewed as sort of the yuppie "Look how great I am, I'm into minority art" it can also be viewed as "I'm in the spotlight and I can use this to make a difference, no matter how big or small."

I think FishGuy makes a really good point, while it may seem offense or ignorant to some, it's really just someone trying to open up dialogue. I think that should always be okay. In times where shows like "I'm a Celebrity" is on 4 times a week, young girls play with Bratz Dolls and 6 year-olds regularly use cell phones, we can use a little fine art in our lives. And for the record, I love John William Waterhouse and did not vote for Obama. But I think that fine art should be appreciated and represented much more than it has been for the past few decades. And I give kudos to the First Family for doing that.

FYI: FishGuy was banned numerous times for offensive and racist comments in the past under several different account names.

I gotta say, I hope that Ruscha piece doesn't match the President's thought process... just a leeeetle bit indecisive.

Oh, there's just way too much fun to have with this painting.

As the US economy continues to decline, those modern paintings will become a symbol of Liberalism's ineptitude.

Or the all-out decline of Western Civilization. Whichever. ;)