DINGLE’S DOLLS

I can understand reviewer Christopher Knight’s amusement with Kim Dingle’s quirky social commentary via doll art (“Exposing the Inner Child of U.S. Politics,” Dec. 3), but Newt Gingrich as a “Priss”-y, mean-spirited little she-devil? A mischievous, mop-topped kewpie doll perhaps, but a sassy-faced Shirley Temple from hell hardly suffices to capture the true essence of the man.

While it is true that art is used as a device to reveal the dark side of humanity, this is certainly a case where Dingle needs to lighten up a little. Instead, the artist (as does Knight) takes particular glee in this twisted skewering of Gingrich, rather than providing the elements of levity and complexity that would allow the viewer to see the subject as more than just malevolence personified.

MARIS BELLAMY

Northridge

*

Art critic Christopher Knight sinks into boggy ground with his half-baked political ranting. No American alive today can be blamed for either slavery or Indian massacres of the 19th century, nor is anyone today obliged to feel guilty for either. Knight should lighten up--and spend two weeks in Disney World.

MICHAEL LEREW

Los Angeles