Moving Artwork

» Chron: 'Objectionable' artwork on display at Capitol removed by lawmaker (Kristen Mack)

Interesting saga:

State Rep. Borris Miles personally removed two pieces of art on display at the Capitol that he found objectionable.

The artworks — a painting of a black man hanging from a rope and an illustration of a man tied to an electric chair with the inscription "Doing God's Work" — were part of an exhibit placed by the Texas Moratorium Network, which seeks a two-year moratorium on the death penalty in Texas.

In e-mail to House colleagues Monday, Miles wrote: "I was greeted with these images as I walked through the halls of the (Capitol) Extension this morning with my two children, ages five and eight. I consider them to be extremely inappropriate and highly objectionable.

"Capitol exhibits are supposed to serve a public purpose or be informational in nature. These pictures were hung with no accompanying text or explanation," wrote Miles, D-Houston.

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The preservation board's rules governing displays at the Capitol require that exhibits serve a "public purpose" and are sponsored by an elected official. In this case Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, was the sponsor.

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On Tuesday, Miles delivered the pieces to Dutton, who said he does not recall sponsoring the exhibit.

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Scott Cobb, the president of the moratorium group, said the purpose of the exhibit was to engage the public on the issue of the death penalty.

"We didn't violate any standards," Cobb said. "Nobody has a right to take down what they don't like. (Miles) overreacted and should have gone through the proper channels" to remove the work.

I'm not sure which is more laughable: that Dutton doesn't recall sponsoring an exhibit or that the president of the moratorium group honestly believes that "Nobody has a right to take down what they don't like."

Dutton has long since been an empty suit of a legislator, so maybe that explains part one. Not sure how to account for Cobb's arrogance.

Lyn Wall has the images up on her site (ironically after saying that they are "beyond offensive"). I can't say I disagree with Borris' actions. The artists' intent may be wholly understandable: to provoke, shock, and outrage. That's all fine and well. It doesn't mean that it's age appropriate for one and all, nor is it obligated to be displayed in the state capitol, though. A better sense of judgement was clearly in order and Cobb still seems to lack that.