Still Looking for the Edge of O.C. Art Scene

I am writing to give praise to Cathy Curtis for finally articulating an obvious insight: that Orange County is a conservative and, at times, unfriendly environment for the visual arts (“O.C.’s Well-Groomed Art Scene,” Jan. 28). Interest in visual culture seems limited to observing repetitive and mundane exhibitions or thinking that the gallery scene in Laguna Beach is the height of “real” art.

As a former art-gallery director at a local Orange County college, I vividly recall the constant struggle to educate the local community about new art. Risk-taking was never rewarded, let alone understood. The majority of those in attendance at my exhibition openings drove down from Los Angeles during the height of rush-hour traffic to see interesting and thought-provoking shows.

One has only to think about what happened to Catherine Lord at UC Irvine to understand that challenging exhibitions are seen as too risky for the community. Administrators are afraid that potential donors may be alienated or scared off by “cutting-edge” exhibitions and demand easy viewing, commercially proven work without hard political or cultural themes. Now, the only site in Orange County that consistently attempts to reach to the edges of visual culture for smart, hip, exhibitions is the Huntington Beach Art Center.

It’s time for Orange County to get with it. We must support institutions and individuals that push us to the edge of our comfort levels. There will always be a place for the Laguna Art Museum. Can’t we learn to make room for messier, unconstrained, politically inflected art in our community?

Oh, by the way, I’m currently completing my dissertation on one of those radical innovators of the ‘60s and ‘70s, dancer and filmmaker Yvonne Rainer. My compliments to Ms. Curtis. I’m sure that her riff on the Orange County art scene will stir up some necessary dialogue.

P.S. Where can I get that “downtown” haircut?

PATRICIA L. LEVIN

Irvine