I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for "The Late Show” story in the most recent Phoenix. The people who work all those graveyard shifts come off duly heroic. It’s a depressing world at that hour (not to mention a sobering one, which is ironic), but you described it in a very poetic way. I found it all terribly moving — probably the best thing I’ve ever read in the Phoenix. So, thanks.
Sean Crawford
Woburn
Greek chorus
In “Our Big Fat Greek Wild Card” your expert says: “Republicans are pretty comfortable with Kerry Healey, and Democrats are pretty comfortable, by and large, with Deval Patrick.” But what about the rest of us? The moderates? We don’t want our wallets picked and we can’t support the spawn of the failed and fraudulent Romney administration. That leaves Christy. He’s right on all the issues. He’s un-bought and un-bossed. If he’s done his homework since his last debate appearances, watch out!!
John P. Griffin
Winchester
It’s nice to see qualified candidates of color like Deval Patrick and Mr. Mihos running for governor. It appears our government is finally beginning to reflect our population. Mr. Mihos’s candidacy is that much more significant in that he reflects the growing number of Americans who can’t be boxed into either the black or white category of race. Our state’s population has become much more than just black and white in the last two decades, and candidates like Mr. Patrick and Mr. Mihos not only reflect this reality, but also show how much we, as voters, have become more open and accepting of this diversity.
Frank Lucas
Boston
Art smart
The question of what defines contemporary art is as vast and varied as the artwork one views while walking Newbury Street. As with any “product,” art is about marketing — how one can create an audience and profit from it. The role of art has changed through history as the advancement of technology offered us more freedom to explore. Contemporary art shows us ourselves and what we learn from that experience. One museum might show “The Art of Football,” following the history of how fabric and materials have changed the look of football apparel. In another, a show called “The Art of the Body.” You have a room with a single painting of a nude figure done in the 16th century, next to it is a full-length mirror. To enter the show you have to disrobe and stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself; as you look at yourself and the figure in the painting, you begin to see the relationship between today and the past and how much or how little has changed. Ask the question, “Which museum will generate more ticket sales and secondary sales?” That, I believe, is how larger shows are conceptualized. The balance between commerce and profitability against dialogue on social issues or issues that face contemporary art should play a more vital role in future shows and the role of museums in general.
James Arzente
Brookline
The devil made me do it
Mr. Miliard, what was I supposed to get out of “In the Footsteps of the Devil”? Here’s what I got: 1) Shopping in the South Portland Wal-Mart would be too creepy for me now. 2) Don’t let your fingers touch that ATM. 3) Avoid that Pizza Hut. 4) When recommending a hotel be sure to alert people that that Comfort Inn is a dump and that the desk clerk is less than desirable. That’s the message I got. Was that your intent? In my training, I was taught to build the structure of the story around what, when, where, and why.
Shirley Bibber
Gorham, ME
