Brent Bozell outlines his definition of art in his Dec. 3 column — if he doesn’t like it, or if it involves gays, it isn’t art.
Bozell repeatedly puts “art” in scare quotes when discussing the works targeted by his organization’s manufactured outrage over an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery:
But apparently this gay and lesbian “art” needs to push more, more, evermore. So we have depictions of homoeroticism, including images of male genitalia on display; pinups of naked men, and paintings of two brothers, buck naked, making out. Still there must be more, so we have sadomasochistic themes, like imagery of mummified human remains and a portrait of a man devouring himself. Each has a “deep” meaning, see. Each is “art.”
Bozell also falsely portrays the exhibition as being funded by taxpayers:
And you, American taxpayer, you are making it possible. Your $761 million annually to the Smithsonian, and $5.8 million annually to the National Portrait Gallery makes it possible for these gay activists to pitch their tents inside, put up their displays, call it “art,” invite the world – even children on “Family and Friends Day” on November 21 – and then scream bloody murder when someone complains.
In fact, the exhibition was created by private funds. And he didn’t mention that the person who first complained about the exhibit — CNS’ Penny Starr — is on his payroll.