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Crafts Event
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Crafts Event
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Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Melanne Verveer's Subject Files
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THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1995
LEISURE & ARTS
American Crafts Shine, in White House or out
(1994). a blown and hot-worked glass orb
Yet ironically, the collection will not re-
ings of the Blue Room, appears prosaic at
By BARBARA JEPSON
encasing an interior globe, is based on
main at the White House. No one bothered
the NMAA.
NASA photographs of earth from outer
to check the guidelines set by the Commit-
Other objects hold their own in either
Washington
space. And Nathan Youngblood's hand-
tee for the Preservation of the White
environment. Dante Marioni's "Yellow
The colored-glass screen that Chester
coiled "Black Carved Jar" (1991) employs
House, which consider works other than
Pair" (1993), two oversized, blown-glass
A. Arthur commissioned for the White
traditional Pueblo pottery-making tech-
presidential portraits ineligible for acqui-
vessels originally placed in the Yellow
House from Louis Comfort Tiffany was ul-
niques such as the use of pulverized horse
sition unless the artist is deceased or the
Oval Room, echo ancient Greek pottery in
timately sold at auction. The Appalachian
manure for oxygen reduction during the
work is 25 years old.
their classical lines, yet overthrow tradi-
textiles displayed by Ellen (Mrs.
firing process to achieve its ebony color.
Once the Clinton White House learned
tion in their height and neon yellow color.
Woodrow) Wilson in the Blue Mountain
"We call the smell of this Corral No. 5," he
this, it pursued other options rather than
Cliff Lee's celadon green "Peach Vase on
Room disappeared long ago. And some
explains.
seek an exception to the non-legally-bind-
a Pedestal" (1993), a beautiful complement
1,700 chairs from various presidential in-
"White House Crafts" was the first of
ing guidelines. Instead it waited until Jan-
to the Oriental porcelains and furnishings
teriors have been relegated to a 40,000-
several exhibits conceived by Hillary Rod-
uary to ask the artists for permission to
in the pale gray and rose-hued Library,
square-foot, off-site storage facility. His-
ham Clinton and her advisers to help bring
transfer the donated works to the National
benefits from the opportunity for closer
tory may sometimes be unkind to presi-
greater visibility to American artists. It
Archives for "periodic display" at the fu-
scrutiny. This exquisitely wrought, wheel-
dents. but it tends to treat their home fur-
recognizes the Year of American Craft pro-
ture Clinton Presidential Library, where
thrown vessel has raised designs which
nishings with indifference.
claimed by President George Bush shortly
they will be available for loan to museums.
were carved with a miniature hacksaw af-
Yet the objects in "The White House
before he left office. Michael W. Monroe.
A wiser choice might have been to be-
ter the porcelain hardened to the consis-
Collection of American Crafts." on view at
who recently retired as curator-in-charge
queath the collection to an institution with
tency of leather. The artist, who discov-
the National Museum of American Art
of the Renwick Gallery, the NMAA's sepa-
a demonstrated interest in crafts, such as
ered a passion for porcelain during his
(NMAA) of the Smithsonian Institution
rately housed contemporary crafts mu-
the American Crafts Museum or the Ren-
third year at medical school. now does
through Sept. 4. have SO far received the
seum, chose the work.
wick. but Mr. Monroe is not saying SO.
surgery on ceramics. "It's more rewarding
uncommonly good treatment they deserve.
Mr. Monroe's mandate was to select
Having these objects at the Clinton li-
psychologically,' he says, "and I don't
Each of the 72 recent works in
works encompassing the diver-
brary, he believes, will "expose another
have to worry about being sued."
clay, fiber, glass, metal or
sity of today's crafts scene-
segment of our population to crafts, and
Even before the White House's bait-
wood reflects the collective
both functional and purely dec-
anything that increases the audience for
and-switch invitation was made known,
achievements of the American
orative objects from well-known
crafts has nothing but positive ramifica-
some of the most prominent artists
crafts renaissance. which began
and less established artists. But
tions."
were apparently unimpressed by the lure
over four decades ago.
his choices were limited by the size
In a way, this goal of expanding access
of being in the White House collection
Building on the visionary
and scale of the table tops. mantel-
to the collection is already being met.
and did not donate their finest, i.e.. most
spirit, bold experimentation and
pieces and other furnishings in
At the NMAA exhibit, visitors can either
expensive, work. Wendell Castle's whim-
hard-won technical break-
the formal period rooms of the
see the objects in the flesh or experience
sical "Presence Clock No. 7" (1990) and
throughs of such pioneers as
White House. It was an op-
them electronically in an adjoining room
Edward Moulthrop's "Rare Ashleaf Maple
Peter Voulkos in clay,
portunity for the curator to
via a virtual-reality tour on the Inter-
Spheroid" (1993) are definitely middle-
Leonore Tawney in fiber,
play decorator. and he did SO
net (from your home computer access the
drawer contributions. And the show con-
Harvey Littleton in glass
with tasteful imagination.
World Wide Web and type http: / /
tains some curatorial missteps-contrived
and Wendell Castle in wood,
favoring works that com-
www.nmaa.si.edu/whc/americancrafts)
works such as Andrea Gill's silly clay
today's craft artists have
bined traditional references
Although the clarity of the illustrations
"Pitcher" (1991) and Adrian Saxer's "Un-
gone beyond mere mastery
with a distinctly contempo-
leaves something to be desired, the on-line
titled Ewer" (1992), an unappealing mish-
of their materials to a level
rary sensibility.
option enhances understanding of the col-
mash of porcelain, feathers, plastic and a
of extraordinary virtuosity.
Letters sent by the White
lection. Those interested in a particular
fishhook.
Unlike their predecessors.
House asked artists to do-
artist can scroll through a biographical
But the majority of objects are high-cal-
they no longer look to main-
Vase by Sidney R. Hutter
nate a piece in a particular
section or click on the "media" category
iber. Philip Moulthrop redeems the family
stream art movements like
size, color or series specified
and tour faux studios where digitized,
name with his impressive. lathe-turned
abstract expressionism for inspiration. In-
by Mr. Monroe for display "in a prominent
miniature videos show some 29 of the par-
"White Pine Mosaic Bowl" (1993): it con-
stead, they draw on the vast palette of con-
location in the White House throughout the
ticipants at work. They can also view se-
tains cross-sectioned disks of white pine
temporary society.
years." The artists responded generously.
lected objects in their original White
suspended in black resin, where they float
Ronald Fleming's burled redwood bowl.
and the collection went on view in Decem-
House settings, which provides a dual per-
like sparkling coins. Another standout is
"New Beginnings" (1993). is fashioned
ber, 1993 at the presidential residence,
spective on the collection.
Sidney Hutter's "White House Vase No. 1"
from a log section burned in a California
where it was seen by over a million visi-
Not surprisingly, some of the works suf-
(1993) of laminated, stacked, plate glass. It
forest fire; the charred areas now provide
tors. A handsomely illustrated volume en-
fer by removal from their White House
can be viewed as an homage to cubism or
poignant tonal shading on this lathe-
titled "The White House Collection of
contexts. For example, David Levi's yel-
as an eerie x-ray of a vase "skeleton." Sam
turned vessel's intricately carved leaf
American Crafts" has also been published
low and blue "Bird Jar" (1993), which in-
Maloof contributed one of his inimitable
fronds. Josh Simpson's "Megaworld"
by Abrams in conjunction with the exhibit.
teracted so provocatively with the furnish-
rocking chairs, which appears poised to
take flight.
After it leaves the NMAA, the show will
travel to at least three additional loca-
tions, including the Memorial Art Gallery
of the University of Rochester in
Rochester, N.Y. (Oct. 7 to Nov. 19), the
American Craft Museum in New York City
(Dec. 7, 1995 to Feb. 25, 1996) and the
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum
in Springfield, Mass. (April 4 to June 2,
1996).
Ms. Jepson is a writer in New York.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1995
Skin Cancer Unrelated
To Ozone Depletion
In a June 13 Letter to the Editor, Brent
Letters to the Editor
Blackwelder of Friends of the Earth as-
serted that increasing skin cancer deaths
have been linked to ozone depletion. This
is nonsensical.
Ozone depletion, per se, does not result
'Critter' Survey Has No Political Agenda
in increased skin cancer incidence and
mortality. It is the fear of an ozone deple-
tion-induced increase in the amount of ul-
In response to your June 14 Aside "An
Anti-Industry Coterie
Endangered Program?" about the status
traviolet radiation reaching ground level
and future of the National Biological Ser-
Stirs Pollution Fears
that is the cause for cancer concerns. But
actual ultraviolet measurements show no
vice. The NBS is not a counting house. We
I write on behalf of the Irish Business
do not propose to count or "catalog all the
long-term increase. In the absence of a sta-
critters in the country," as you suggest.
and Employers Confederation. which rep-
tistically significant increase in ultraviolet
resents the interests of Irish business. in-
The NBS was formed by merging the bi-
radiation, the chain of causality between
ological research and analysis functions of
cluding the chemical industry. I refer to a
ozone depletion and skin cancer is unam-
various Interior Department programs.
June 6 International Page article dealing
biguously broken.
This results in more efficiency in the use
with the chemical industry in Ringask-
Moreover, malignant melanoma, the
of the limited scientific resources within
iddy, County Cork.
type of skin cancer responsible for most
the department. It also insulates science
The chemical and pharmaceutical in-
skin cancer deaths, has been shown to be
from the potentially inappropriate influ-
dustry is a very important part of Ireland's
largely induced by wavelengths of ultravi-
ences of regulatory programs, including
developing economy. Over the years an in-
olet radiation that are unaffected by the
the Endangered Species Act.
creasing number of the world's most im-
ozone layer. In addition, the increase in
portant players in the industry have been
skin cancer incidence Mr. Blackwelder
The work of NBS provides independent
attracted to Ireland as a result of the
scientific investigation and analysis for
refers to has been going on for most of this
consideration by decision-makers whose
unique mixture of skills. incentives and in-
century, even predating the invention of
choices may affect future management of
frastructure-both physical and eco-
CFCs and other man-made compounds
lands and their resources. Those decision-
nomic-that is available. Their experience
now blamed for ozone depletion. Also, the
makers. in our judgment, include the
has been uniformly positive and Ireland's
long lag time, about 20 years, between sun
American public. Therefore. we stress
economy has also had a substantial and
exposure and onset of skin cancer further
broad distribution and access to the work
ongoing benefit.
rules out ozone depletion as the cause of
done by NBS.
Your conclusions do an injustice to the
current cancer trends. Experts believe the
established industries in Cork-and by ex-
A small organization with fewer than
increase is due to changing lifestyles. such
2,000 employees nationwide, we focus most
tension might damage further investment.
as more time spent outdoors and popula-
of our work on behalf of other Interior
There is no relationship between the
tion shifts toward sunnier areas, which
agencies. We also have undertaken coop-
chemical industry and pollution in the har-
have led to an increase in the amount of
erative efforts with several states and a
bor. In terms of license compliance. the
exposure to the sun.
few corporate landowners, always aimed
Cork pharmachem industry is more than
While the increase in skin cancer inci-
at increasing scientific information and its
99.4% compliant.
dence and mortality is a legitimate public
With reference to environmental regu-
availability.
health issue, it has nothing to do with
lation, Ireland has one of the most strin-
Above all, NBS is an information re-
ozone depletion or any other environmen-
gent regulatory systems in Europe, and
tal concern.
source, Our goal is to increase the degree
to which resource decisions are based on
rather than dragging its heels. in many
BEN LIEBERMAN
cases is far ahead of European Union di-
Environmental Research Associate
knowledge, rather than philosophical or
rectives.
political agendas. We believe that both
Competitive Enterprise Institute
JOHN DUNNE
corporate America and the public at large
Washington
Director General
share that goal.
Irish Business and
H. RONALD PULLIAM
Employers Confederation
Director
Atmospheric Pollution
Dublin
National Biological Service
Washington
Has Declined Steadily
Your article "Irish Town Gets Indus-
In his June 22 Letter, Dr. Bertram
The NBS ostensibly was created to do
trial Revolution, But Pollution and Indig-
Wolfe states that "each year in the U.S.
nation as Well" is a regurgitation of disin-
two things in particular: catalog the na-
tion's wildlife, and stop redundant, unco-
formation regarding industrial develop-
alone tens of thousands of premature
deaths are estimated to be caused by re-
ment in Cork Harbor. The thesis is devel-
ordinated research by Interior agencies. If
oped on what is essentially the view of a
sulting [from fossil-fuel burning] atmos-
duplicative research is eliminated, that's
small, unrepresentative, anti-industry co-
pheric pollution."
net cost reduction. Moreover, the NBS bud-
It would be instructive to see these esti-
terie. The facts about Cork Harbor and its
get and its staff came virtually entirely
mates. In "The True State Of the Planet"
industrial development are very far re-
from other Interior agencies, SO virtually
(Free Press, 1995) p. 340, Indur M. Gok-
moved from the picture presented. Your
no cost was incurred to create it.
account does a serious disservice to this
lany, manager of Science and Engineering
The NBS's mission is fact-finding only.
in the Office of Policy Analysis at the U.S.
beautiful area, and to the fine companies
Without data, how can conclusions be
from the U.S. and elsewhere that have es-
Department of the Interior, is quoted as
reached? Would anyone in business
follows:
tablished much-needed, well-run and envi-
launch a new product without the context
"In the United States, sulfur dioxide
ronmentally responsible facilities here.
market research provides? Mine certainly
emissions per capita are down 60% from
ROBIN O'SULLIVAN
wouldn't. The data will not only help dis-
Managing Director
the peak in 1920. Both particulates and car-
cern what species are immediately en-
O'Sullivan Public Relations
bon monoxide emissions per capita have
dangered, but also should enable the gov-
declined more or less continuously since
Cork, Ireland
ernment to avoid major conflicts over en-
World War II- inhalable particulates
(Mr. O'Sullivan is a public relations con-
dangered species. If that happens, it's a
down 79% since 1940 and carbon monoxide
sultant to Pfizer and Sandoz.)
net benefit to individuals and the econ-
down 53% since 1945. Volatile organic com-
omy (plant sitings, business plans, etc.).
pounds emissions per capita (contributors
And I can't imagine any president, re-
Letters intended for publication should
to smog) stayed roughly constant between
gardless of party, who wouldn't want to
be addressed: Letters to the Editor, The
1925 and 1970, before they declined; in 1992
avoid such conflicts.
Wall Street Journal, 200 Liberty St. New
they were down 36% from the peak. Nitro-
As far as the "taking over private prop-
York, N.Y. 10281. They can be sent by fax
gen oxide per capita peaked in 1980. It is
erty" propaganda in your Aside, that's just
to (212) 416-2658. Because of the large vol-
now down about 10% from its peak."
politico-speak. I'm a businessman, but
ume of mail, all letters are subject to
Ambient sulfur dioxide and particulate
don't go treading on the hallowed ground
abridgement and those unpublished can be
matter have been declining for at least the
of my favorite pastimes. Like 60 million
neither acknowledged nor returned.
past two decades in most developed coun-
other Americans I fish for fun, and like
tries.
many millions I also hunt. We care about
ROBERT H. MOORE JR.
things like the Endangered Species and
Pocahontas Mining Co.
Clean Water acts, but are not radical gree-
Bluefield, W.Va.
nie environmentalists, or whatever term is
now in vogue.
JAY C. KUMAR
Director, Publications
Fieldstone Publications Inc.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1995
Washington