Over the last two weeks, much has been written and debated—on campus and off, publicly and privately—about the installation of the Sleepwalker sculpture, which is part of Tony Matelli’s New Gravity exhibition at the Davis Museum. I have welcomed the depth of the dialogue and am grateful for the many voices and perspectives that have productively contributed to conversations about art, freedom, censorship, and feminism, to name a few.
The story played out on social media, and in the national media, where some strangers mischaracterized our college and our students. An editorial in the Wall Street Journal went so far as to refer to Wellesley students as delicate Victorian maidens. I set the record straight. My letter in response was printed in Wednesday’s paper.
I’ve been following this ongoing issue about the Sleepwalker sculpture with mixed emotions. As far as art goes, I don’t care for it, I don’t think it’s attractive, and I wouldn’t have wanted to see it on my way through the quad, either. Not because I would feel offended or threatened, but rather because if I wanted to see someone schlepping around in his underpants I’d have gone home to visit my brother. That’s me, that’s how I feel, and I know my reaction isn’t the only valid reaction. BUT. If the purpose of art is to spark dialogue, then this sculpture is a success. Even my mother in law, a blue collar woman from New Jersey who doesn’t care all that much about art and sculpture unless it’s somehow relevant to her church, was asking me for my opinions about it. I admire that there’s been room made at the table for the different voices on campus speaking about this issue. If you can’t debate about this, what can you debate about? As for “manning up”, accepting a situation even if you don’t like it, and just dealing with the statue, I hope that never happens, to me or any of my Wellesley sisters.
Perhaps there should be more sleepwalking sculptures, an entire family even.
As an alumna disappointed in this decision, I do sympathize with your unfortunate presidential dilemma, and respect that tried your best to lead a balanced conversation, given that you were dealing with an installation already in place. Wellesley College needs a policy and process on public art installations, which would have provided various stakeholder views and guided university decisions. Such policies are not censorship; they make sense. Please consider creating something of the sort going forward. Take note of the Carnegie Melon policy as an example in the attached link. I am proud of the women of Wellesley, those of you who approached this installation with creativity and humor, and especially those of you who had the courage to speak out against the tide. To the latter, I’m sorry you will have to continue to endure this creepy statue. Do your best to use it in ways that communicate your views; know that you are not alone — and you are not the problem. Hopefully, with humility by leadership, something good and enduring will come of it.