LETTERS

THE ART OF DISAGREEMENT

I HAVE WORKED AT THE DALLAS MUSEUM of Art for the past decade under the directorships of Harry Parker, Rick Brettell, and now Jay Gates. Therefore, I know of what I speak when I say that Christine Bie-derman’s text [“Museum at a Crossroads,’ September] is so flawed I find it incomprehensible that D published the piece.

Ms. Biederman’s melodramatic account of what she calls “palace intrigue” is patently absurd. I have had the pleasure of working with every single “casualty” listed in the article and not a single curator left the museum because they were in Brettell’s or Gates’ “camp.” In fact, Nash, Graze, Vollmer and Sano left the DMA long before, in some cases years before. Jay Gates ever became director. Susan Barnes and Annegreth Nill left after his appointment but certainly not because of it.

Furthermore. Ms. Biederman’s most absurd statement is that the DMA “managed to squeeze an extra $10 million from Mrs. Hamon for the endowment.” Anyone who knows Nancy Hamon well can tell you that she is not a person who needs “squeezing” where projects she believes in are concerned. Mrs. Hamon was indeed amazingly generous to the museum’s expansion, donating S20 million, and she continues to be supportive of the institution. However, the $10 million rioted by Ms. Biederman came in reality from scores of individual private donors, not Mrs. Hamon.

CHARLES L. VENABLE, PH.D.

Associate Director for

Collections and Exhibitions

Dallas Museum of Art



I WORKED FOR THE DALLAS MUSEUM OF Art during the second half of the ’80s and know firsthand what an ego farm it is. When I was doing the “news” for one of the Christmas party skits one year, I said something to the effect that “the DMA Ex-Employees’ Association annual meeting will be held at Texas Stadium next week. Those with last names beginning A-L should come on Tuesday…” The rest was cut off by laughter as we were all too aware of the high rate of turnover among the staff. The paintings al the DMA may not be “world-class” but I take my art classes there to view the periods of art we have discussed in class. Contemporary art is line. But let us not forget what came before.

KEITH HOLDER

DALLAS



Editor’s Note: Information on the museum ’s finances came from a review of the museum’s audited books, and interviews with the museum’s trustees and its comptroller, Sam Cheng.

While available records on fund raising for the Hamon wing were far from conclusive, it s now clear that Mrs. Hamon did not provide an additional $10 million, as we reported, and we apologize for the misunderstanding.



SKIP AND THE COWBOYS

I ENJOYED THE ARTICLE, “WHAT’S KILLING America’s Team” [September] by Skip Bayless.

I have been hearing the “Troy-is-gay” rumor for months now and am tiring of il. And what do people base this assumption on? I’ve asked and am always told the same things, “You never see him with a woman” or “Troy doesn’t date.” And the big reason? “He’s not married.” Gee, Troy’s about to turn 30! And he’s not married yet?!

Mr. Aikman has class, character and a conscience, qualities Dallas should be proud of. He put it so well when he asked, “Am I supposed to keep a girl around even if I don’t care anything about her?”

No Troy, you’re not.

DEIRDRE SAMPLES

HIGHLAND PARK



SEEMS TO ME THE PEOPLE KILLING AMERIca’s team are writers like Skip Bayless.

Talk about rumors and backstabbing, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bayless started half the rumors himself. Bayless says that he is not trying to use the gay issue about Troy Aikman as a selling point for his book? Then why did a publicist arranging radio interviews for Bayless send WEEI a copy of the book with a Harper Collins press release, plus a one-sheet fax headlined, “!s Troy Aikman Gay?” Bayless knows this issue will follow Aikman for life, and when asked by a Boston Globe columnist how he feels about it, Bayless replied, “I don’t think about it. I just goon.” That’s right, Bayless will go on writing trash, ruining people’s lives and getting paid handsomely for it. I guess this is the American way now, make a buck no matter what you do to get it, What a sad commentary on journalism and people like Skip Bayless.



MARCY NUNNS

IRVING



ON BEHALF OF COWBOYS FANS EVERYwhere, allow me to thank “St. Skip” for being the sole source of communication between our quarterback and coach for these past several months. It is so comforting to know that we fans have someone so interested and concerned in the Cowboys that he would go above and beyond the call of duty of a mere media member just to be certain that their misunderstandings are worked out…of course, not that he fed any of these situations.



I am disappointed that D Magazine gives anyone, particularly rumor hounds thinly disguised as journalists, a venue through which to perpetuate garbage. If Mr. Bayless has issues with those named or left unnamed (but most assuredly recognized), then he needs to deal with those people as any mature adult would, The depth of his self-imposed martyr status is only exceeded by the breadth of his ego.



MOLLIE McAULlFFE

DALLAS



DEAN DATES

RE: “Where Are They Now” [Septem-ber]. James Dean died September 30, 1955 at 5:59 p.m.-not Sept. 7, 1955.

GAIL NATALE

WICHITA FALLS