The Controversy Over Mapplethorpe’s Art

Judging from their most celebrated recent offerings, today’s artists do not consider themselves successful until their works create mass anger and insult--witness Andres Serrano’s photograph of a crucifix in urine.

Do we really have to pay tax dollars for the privilege of being insulted or outraged?

Museum curators in Parachini’s article imply that it was no big deal for ancient Greek men to be married and have homosexual lovers too; no big deal for them to attend “dinner parties” (orgies) with hookers; no big deal to practice sexual bondage and pain in order to get suitably excited.

And it was no big deal that the Greek culture died.

Many Americans believe the “leading edge” of today’s thinking is taking our culture toward the same oblivion.

DANIEL A. KOBLOSH

Redondo Beach