Monday, November 24, 2014

Because it's the coin of the realm?

Or maybe it's just common sense.

BBC arts editor Will Gompertz wonders:  Why is the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum selling her work?

It's a good question, for which the Deaccession Police will give their usual answer (i.e., shut up).

But this sale really is a good example of why it's silly to think of what the AAMD does as anything resembling "ethical" reasoning.  They have no way of grappling with a sale like this, no standpoint from which to evaluate it.  They just ask a simple question:  are you using the sales proceeds to buy more art?  If the answer is yes, there ends the "ethical" inquiry.