Artists in Competition

Your story “ ‘Barton Fink’ Cannes Win Draws Flak” (May 22) clearly points up the reason for never placing creative work in competition. While the childish behavior of the Danish director Lars Von Trier was inexcusable, we are exposed to the agony of seeing an artist in turmoil.

Can you imagine a competition between Rauschenberg, Klee, Pollock and Mondrian? Or between Schubert and Beethoven?

Each artist who places himself in competition deserves what he gets. If the people who benefit commercially from these awards rites want to continue the charade, fine. But the artist should have enough understanding of his place in the spectrum to shun these circuses.

PHIL ISAACS

Los Angeles