Compromise Saves Coffeehouse Artwork

A controversial exhibition of nude paintings received a last-minute reprieve Wednesday as operators of a Los Angeles coffeehouse ground out a compromise with a neighboring synagogue that viewed the artwork as obscene.

The paintings of naked women will be moved to the rear of the Insomnia coffee house--out of sight of members of the orthodox Congregation Saarei Tefila across the street.

Religious leaders had asked that the paintings be removed because they offended congregation members walking to temple services and could be seen by neighborhood children who looked in the windows.

On Wednesday morning, artist Tommy Dougherty of Costa Mesa was summoned by Insomnia’s operators to remove the moody themed, expressionistic paintings.

But by the time he arrived five hours later to pick them up, operators of the Beverly Boulevard coffee house had changed their minds.

“We’ve been bombarded by calls from people saying don’t dare take them down,” co-owner Mike Pulwer said wearily. “We want to work it out amicably.”

Added partner John Dunn: “We want people to know we’re 100% in favor of artists.”

Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen also welcomed the compromise. He said he never sought to stir a freedom of speech issue when he complained about the art.

“In the back is fine. I don’t expect my members to go in there,” Cohen said. “It’s an issue of impropriety and lack of taste, not constitutional rights.”

Dougherty, 30, was stunned by the turn of events. He had discovered the nudes stacked near the back door when he arrived Wednesday afternoon.

He said he had spent 15 hours hanging his paintings for the exhibit, which was scheduled to run through Jan. 10, and spent $600 to have 4,000 postcards and 1,000 posters printed to advertise the exhibition and an artist’s reception planned for Nov. 21.

“I was crying on the way up here,” he said. “But I’m willing to work with people. I’m willing to give an inch or two.”

Actually, the more explicit paintings will be about 15 feet from the coffeehouse’s front windows.

Said Pulwer: “Everybody’s happy. At least for today.”