Southampton's great art sell-off (From Daily Echo)
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Works by Rodin and Munnings could raise £5m
10:23am Thursday 30th July 2009 in News
Exclusive By Peter Law, Feature Writer
AFTER THE RACE: By Sir Alfred Munnings. £2m to £4m
THE Daily Echo can today exclusively reveal the masterpieces that will go under the hammer in Southampton’s great art sell-off.
Southampton City Council wants to sell a bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin – the French master who created The Thinker – and a painting by the British artist Sir Alfred Munnings.
The council’s Tory leaders hope the once-in-a-lifetime sale will raise about £5m, which they have promised will only be spent on a new heritage museum due to open in 2012.
Other masterpieces by Turner, Lowry, Picasso and Monet will all remain in Southampton. New space created by the museum also means an extra 100 paintings will go on permanent display.
Today’s announcement comes after a three-year Daily Echo campaign for some publicly-owned art from the overflowing £180m collection to be sold to fund new culture projects in the city.
Only 200 works in the vast 3,500-piece collection can be shown in the City Art Gallery at any one time and some works have scarcely seen the light of day in years.
The Daily Echo can today reveal that the painting by Munnings, titled After the Race, has only recently returned to Southampton after being on loan to a museum in Essex for the past 20 years.
The council estimates its sale could raise between £2m and £4m for the new £15m museum, which will feature a permanent Titanic exhibition and an extension to the art gallery.
Southampton’s two Rodin sculptures are also both currently being kept in storage in the vaults below the City Art Gallery.
Eve, a near life-size nude sculpture, is valued £1.5m while Crouching Woman, which is just 31cm high, is thought to be worth about £400,000. However, only one will be sold.
The pieces were identified after a review of the collection, which could also lead to the sale of other paintings considered to be of “low significance”.
The Rodin and Munnings works were chosen because they did not form part of the gallery’s focus on British modern and contemporary 20th and 21st century art.
Southampton’s culture boss, Councillor John Hannides, said: “The Munnings has not been seen in Southampton for quite some time and that also goes for the other items too.
“While they have been on display on occasions they are not central to the collection.
“We have looked at all potential options for funding, and we have not yet taken a decision to sell them, but without this it would be very difficult to see how we might otherwise be able to fund the heritage museum.”
Southampton residents can voice their opinions at a public meeting in September, before the Cabinet makes a final decision whether to proceed in late 2009.
If the sale goes ahead, the council first wants to approach other British museums and galleries about whether they would be interested in buying the works.
If prices cannot be agreed they would then be sold to the highest bidder at auction next summer.
Cllr Hannides will travel to London today to present the proposal to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), which is the most powerful arts body in the UK and advises the Government how millions in funding should be spent.
While the MLA has already given in principal support, if it refuses to back the sale it would put the entire heritage museum project at serious risk.
Comments(63)
Bartonian
says...
11:15am Thu 30 Jul 09
Linesman
says...
11:21am Thu 30 Jul 09
I wonder where the money raised will be spent?
Councillors' expenses?
Bartonian
says...
11:37am Thu 30 Jul 09
asso...Monet...the Echo has been looking for the City's WOW factor. Well, here it is, the largest collection outside London. For goodness sake, PROMOTE IT, and use it to put Southampton on the map.
Family Man
says...
11:39am Thu 30 Jul 09
However a) I sincerely doubt it will (and will probably be part siphoned off and the residue spent on "multicultural bandwagon" projects that benefit very few, and b) is selling into a credit-crunched depressed market necessarily the best time to be doing this? I recall the early days of the Labour government when the gold reserves were sold off at a knock-down price losing the taxpayer billions! What better a state would we be in now had that not taken place at such a bad time!? Once you've sold the family silver, you can NEVER get it back!
mr.southampton
says...
11:40am Thu 30 Jul 09
As someone who has visited the gallery many times and found the collection informative and inspiring I am sickened by the actions of the Echo and Cllr Samuels.
Why not sell the Bargate to the highest bidder? I'm sure it'll make a nice centre piece of a development in Abu-Dhabi. That's how much this City cares about it's heritage.
Jerry Parsons
says...
11:54am Thu 30 Jul 09
stuartjebbitt
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11:57am Thu 30 Jul 09
Nothing to say
says...
12:07pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Doesn't appear to be a winner does it?
The City needs a top class museum a lot more than it needs pictures that barely anyone knows exist.
Would be nice if we could have both a great museum and great gallery, but you have to find the money from somewhere to pay for these things and I personally think I pay enough as it is via my Council tax.
Little P
says...
12:10pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Lone Ranger
says...
12:17pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Linesman wrote:Yes Linesman and a new SPIN DOCTOR if you read the front page of the Echo
Once the Goose is killed, there will be no nore Golden Eggs! I wonder where the money raised will be spent? Councillors' expenses?
This Tory Council is an utter DISGRACE
nikolai
says...
12:35pm Thu 30 Jul 09
It's not just on Radio2 that the Echo has rec'd negative attention for this campaign - type in 'Daily Echo Greenslade' into Google to see the attention this story has rec'd from the Guardian.
Rob444
says...
12:37pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Linesman wrote:The council's tory leaders appear to be typical thatcherites.
Once the Goose is killed, there will be no nore Golden Eggs!
I wonder where the money raised will be spent?
Councillors' expenses?
They know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Even if the art sell-off could be justified, the middle of a recession is the worst time to get the highest prices. Would they sell their personal possessions at this time, or would they wait for more affluent times to return?
St.DaveH
says...
12:37pm Thu 30 Jul 09
It is the council’s short sightedness that funds are not available for heritage development, and a history of missed opportunity to apply a structured levy on new builds such as West Quay and the like.
Not only will this sell off be detrimental to us all, but any realisation of funds could not be guaranteed for use on heritage work, and would certainly have an adverse effect on future donations to the collection.
I consider the sale a cop out by the council to avoid putting in the effort to required to raise funding for one off initiative such as an RMST museum; they should roll up their sleeves and make some concerted effort instead of strutting like peacocks. DON’T SELL just because it’s the easy way out..
Saints Mike
says...
12:39pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Lone Ranger wrote:A Tory led council selling off the family silver..nothing new there then, they would sell there own mothers for a quick quid.
Linesman wrote:Yes Linesman and a new SPIN DOCTOR if you read the front page of the Echo
Once the Goose is killed, there will be no nore Golden Eggs! I wonder where the money raised will be spent? Councillors' expenses?
This Tory Council is an utter DISGRACE
Money for the Spin Doctor, the Stormtroopers,
I doubt a museum will be built..
More councillors expenses, more plush offices, more jollies for all.
Paramjit Bahia
says...
12:42pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Tory’s are notorious for ‘selling the family silver’ and through creative accounting and operating practices putting the public money into the pockets of their own class. The Art Collection will be sold on the cheap to some stinking rich parasites who have hardly any love for Art but only eye for opportunity for easy profits. So they will make a fortune when the market picks up.
Other people who will gain from this act of sheer madness will be the Conservative supporting cowboy builders who will get the contracts for making the museum.
More than likely like most other lunacies of our council the proposed museum will also end up like the ship it will be named after. Only consolation will be that this Titanic will not take many human lives down with it but it will certainly sink lots of Southampton’s heritage.
By the way, what the other underworked overpaid useless so called opposition Councillors and the MPs for the city have to say on this day light robbery of City’s assets?
southy
says...
12:54pm Thu 30 Jul 09
lone yes i see that to £85,000 this time, how much was the last one, after samules made that gaff by letting out the tory manifest for the next general election. 2 spin doctors with in 3 mths, think we in the wrong trade.
before the council sales them, they should go back to the nearest member family who gave them the art first, to see if they want it back at the same price that the council paid for it, morally this be the right thing to do.
if you people feel so strongly about it then organise a demo out side the civic centre main hall.
Night Mare
says...
1:00pm Thu 30 Jul 09
I have to very reluctantly say that Southampton appears very second rate in terms of visitor attractions compared, for example, to Portsmouth. If the heritage centre is going to be a Titanic museum then it has to be open before the hundreth anniversary in 2012 otherwise the council will have missed the boat, so to speak. One could argue that they already have as the blockbuster film was released more tham 10 years ago and the last British survivor has recently died. After the centenary I think that public interest will diminish over time and the council could be left with an expensive white elephant. It does seem a bit like selling off the family silver, taking a gamble and putting all one's eggs in one basket. It also sets a dangerous precedent. I can see the council arguing that they need to sell off more art work because the cost of the centre has increased or, more cynically, to boost the council's coffers before an election.
Southampton's history has a much longer span than an unfortunate ship sinking on one fateful night.
Southampton City Council/Southern Daily Echo = narrow mindedness and lacking in creativity.
MrGMan
says...
1:17pm Thu 30 Jul 09
The echo says today that the sculptures are sitting in the vaults right now.
so if no one has ever seen them what is the problem?
mr.southampton
says...
1:26pm Thu 30 Jul 09
southy
says...
1:27pm Thu 30 Jul 09
MrGMan wrote:plenty those works of art was giving to the city, for the benifit of the city and not just a few, i am wondering if the council is sitting on dodgey legal ground, what was the terms and condiction off the art giving to the council in the first place.
I am happy that works of art I have never seen, that the public have never seen are sold to pay for something the majority will enjoy.
The echo says today that the sculptures are sitting in the vaults right now.
so if no one has ever seen them what is the problem?
southy
says...
1:29pm Thu 30 Jul 09
mr.southampton wrote:i be interested mr.southampton.
there needs to be some kind of protest. Anyone up for organising something outside the gallery on Saturday, facebook groups that kind of thing?
Maggie Hill
says...
1:52pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Saints Mike wrote:Saints Mike and lonreanger are so obseswsed with tories they wouldnt understand anyway. You two probably dontr knoew where the art gallery is. Get back to work in your labour office and stop wasting taxpayers money sitting on theis website
Lone Ranger wrote:A Tory led council selling off the family silver..nothing new there then, they would sell there own mothers for a quick quid. Money for the Spin Doctor, the Stormtroopers, I doubt a museum will be built.. More councillors expenses, more plush offices, more jollies for all.Linesman wrote: Once the Goose is killed, there will be no nore Golden Eggs! I wonder where the money raised will be spent? Councillors' expenses?Yes Linesman and a new SPIN DOCTOR if you read the front page of the Echo This Tory Council is an utter DISGRACE
Lone Ranger
says...
2:19pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Maggie Hill wrote:Strange, you cant justify it or spell very well. It seems you were just full of anger and had to post quickly.
Saints Mike wrote:Saints Mike and lonreanger are so obseswsed with tories they wouldnt understand anyway. You two probably dontr knoew where the art gallery is. Get back to work in your labour office and stop wasting taxpayers money sitting on theis websiteLone Ranger wrote:A Tory led council selling off the family silver..nothing new there then, they would sell there own mothers for a quick quid. Money for the Spin Doctor, the Stormtroopers, I doubt a museum will be built.. More councillors expenses, more plush offices, more jollies for all.Linesman wrote: Once the Goose is killed, there will be no nore Golden Eggs! I wonder where the money raised will be spent? Councillors' expenses?Yes Linesman and a new SPIN DOCTOR if you read the front page of the Echo This Tory Council is an utter DISGRACE
Well you made me giggle
SW-: hill-move you couldn't make it up
AndyAndrews
says...
2:42pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Northamboy
says...
3:38pm Thu 30 Jul 09
I am not interested in art but I am interested in where the money would go. Stop closing care homes, spend the money on the people not the ifrastructure of the city as thats why we pay rates. Stop fat cat councillors ripping us all off and DONT EMPLOY A SPIN DOCTOR!
Please I beg you don't buy more traffic lights and then find somewhere to put them!!!!
Major Sir Jerry Pending
says...
4:04pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Saints Mike
says...
4:19pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Maggie Hill wrote:In fact I do know where the art gallery is.
Saints Mike wrote:Saints Mike and lonreanger are so obseswsed with tories they wouldnt understand anyway. You two probably dontr knoew where the art gallery is. Get back to work in your labour office and stop wasting taxpayers money sitting on theis website
Lone Ranger wrote:A Tory led council selling off the family silver..nothing new there then, they would sell there own mothers for a quick quid. Money for the Spin Doctor, the Stormtroopers, I doubt a museum will be built.. More councillors expenses, more plush offices, more jollies for all.Linesman wrote: Once the Goose is killed, there will be no nore Golden Eggs! I wonder where the money raised will be spent? Councillors' expenses?Yes Linesman and a new SPIN DOCTOR if you read the front page of the Echo This Tory Council is an utter DISGRACE
I'm not a Labour supporter or Liberal neither do I vote Tory, if any party was selling the cities treasures I would object, especially as I doubt the museum will ever be built, I suspect the council will hold on to this money and say at a later date that external funding could not be gained, so the project is cancelled.
Like most who work, I am entitled to annual leave, so before you accuse people of working in Labour offices, please check the time of year, for example school holidays are when people tend to take work holidays, if you worked you would probably understand that.
By the way Maggie spellcheck is right click on your mouse, spell-checker options, press that and it tell's you where you miss spelt words, it even tells you how to spell properly, you obviously went to a state school and not a private one like I did.
Iain
says...
4:34pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Sounds like a good swap for a bunch of paintings to me.
Saints Mike
says...
4:40pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Iain wrote:Your round then Iain?
£5 million? Shared between the 231,000 Southampton residents, that's £21.64 each. Which is 9.62 pints of lager (during happy hour).
Sounds like a good swap for a bunch of paintings to me.
soton-mike80
says...
4:53pm Thu 30 Jul 09
flower49
says...
5:25pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Boatman
says...
5:26pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Do you really want to see exactly the same works each time you visit? I certainly don't. This sell-off is a disgrace. You need to go to London to find a gallery to match Southampton's. Can you imagine the National Gallery going in for a 'once in a lifetime' sell-off?
oooarrr
says...
6:14pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Why not sell off all the real treasures and then use the money for putting up a giant cheesegrater at bevois valley or better still a rusty lump of barbed wire at the six dials?
senseofsouthampton
says...
6:17pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Lone Ranger wrote:Lone Ranger - you are a spin doctor hired by john denham, paid for by taxpayers. Where's the difference you disturbed little hypocrite. I know your boss is now on a 3 month taxpayer-funded holiday, why can't he extend the privilege to his staff and save us the pain of having to read your nonsense? You could clear off and damp proof his bathroom - oh no, he's already claimed nearly £3000 of taxpayer's money to do that.
Linesman wrote:Yes Linesman and a new SPIN DOCTOR if you read the front page of the Echo
Once the Goose is killed, there will be no nore Golden Eggs! I wonder where the money raised will be spent? Councillors' expenses?
This Tory Council is an utter DISGRACE
Lone Ranger - disrespecting the military at the public's expense.
Phantomdoll
says...
6:59pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Jenjo
says...
7:12pm Thu 30 Jul 09
senseofsouthampton
says...
7:28pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Jenjo wrote:Did you even know that Southampton owned these pieces before the possibility of them being sold was muted? I suspect not. Typical mob reactionaryism. I'm glad there are people willing to take these difficult decisions because nothing positive would ever happen if they weren't
Disgusting - the art treasures are something that Southampton can be proud of, who wants a cheap and nasty tacky Titanic theme park? There's plenty of fine Titanic exhibits in the Wool House, and that can be enhanced as 2012 approaches. Don't vote Tory if you don't want your heritage to be sold off - if my neighbours are any guide, Hanndides and Samuels will be finished as councillors in Bassett before the anniversary comes round anyway.
Jenjo
says...
7:53pm Thu 30 Jul 09
senseofsouthampton wrote:Thank you councillor whoever-you-are. Great art lasts forever, and so will the Titanic artefacts and pictures, but a tacky walk-on model of the Titanic (wow, just like the one that all those people drowned on) is a cheap insult to the city that the council should have nothing to do with (PS of course I'm not familiar with the name of every work of art but you don't have to be in order to enjoy it when you see it). You can go back regularly to the gallery to see works that have been rotated, but one visit to the macabre Titanic toytown and you'll have seen it
Jenjo wrote:Did you even know that Southampton owned these pieces before the possibility of them being sold was muted? I suspect not. Typical mob reactionaryism. I'm glad there are people willing to take these difficult decisions because nothing positive would ever happen if they weren't
Disgusting - the art treasures are something that Southampton can be proud of, who wants a cheap and nasty tacky Titanic theme park? There's plenty of fine Titanic exhibits in the Wool House, and that can be enhanced as 2012 approaches. Don't vote Tory if you don't want your heritage to be sold off - if my neighbours are any guide, Hanndides and Samuels will be finished as councillors in Bassett before the anniversary comes round anyway.
senseofsouthampton
says...
8:07pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Jenjo wrote:If you're not familiar with it how on earth can you miss it when it's gone? Can't you see how ludicrous your pitiful argument is? I believe that the council is working in the best interests of the people it represents by bringing visitors into the city and encouraging investment - your argument is that we should maintain the status quo and keep the art work in storage. What other works that are not on public display are you worried about the council selling? I bet you can't even name one. You are a Luddite standing in the way of progress.
senseofsouthampton wrote:Thank you councillor whoever-you-are. Great art lasts forever, and so will the Titanic artefacts and pictures, but a tacky walk-on model of the Titanic (wow, just like the one that all those people drowned on) is a cheap insult to the city that the council should have nothing to do with (PS of course I'm not familiar with the name of every work of art but you don't have to be in order to enjoy it when you see it). You can go back regularly to the gallery to see works that have been rotated, but one visit to the macabre Titanic toytown and you'll have seen it
Jenjo wrote:Did you even know that Southampton owned these pieces before the possibility of them being sold was muted? I suspect not. Typical mob reactionaryism. I'm glad there are people willing to take these difficult decisions because nothing positive would ever happen if they weren't
Disgusting - the art treasures are something that Southampton can be proud of, who wants a cheap and nasty tacky Titanic theme park? There's plenty of fine Titanic exhibits in the Wool House, and that can be enhanced as 2012 approaches. Don't vote Tory if you don't want your heritage to be sold off - if my neighbours are any guide, Hanndides and Samuels will be finished as councillors in Bassett before the anniversary comes round anyway.
And for your
information I am not a Councillor, I am in fact unemployed thanks to this useless government.
sadtobehere
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8:16pm Thu 30 Jul 09
kiddo
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8:31pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Pam W
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9:33pm Thu 30 Jul 09
I am concerned about the Echo's stance on this - an editor who is not a resident of the city (ie does not pay council tax to Soton) is trying to whip up support for a policy to sell off things that were bequeathed to the city (ie things that are not his in any respect whatever). What moral right does he have to do that?
senseofsouthampton
says...
10:04pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Pam W wrote:So then Pam, When and where have these works been on display? I don't know the answer and therefore I really don't mind if they are sold. Jenjo is only objecting to the sale because he objects to the council, that is terrible. I don't know whether these two pieces of art were in storage or not but neither does Jenjo and that is why his, and now your, objections are so baseless.
senseofsouthampton is getting steamed up about the fact that jenjo said we should keep the art in storage. I have read his/her comments sevearl times and nowhere does he or she say that. And the idea that you have to be familiar with something to appreciate it is obviously untrue.
I am concerned about the Echo's stance on this - an editor who is not a resident of the city (ie does not pay council tax to Soton) is trying to whip up support for a policy to sell off things that were bequeathed to the city (ie things that are not his in any respect whatever). What moral right does he have to do that?
senseofsouthampton
says...
10:07pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Have you ever taken time out of your day to go and look at either of the 2 works of art that the Echo has suggested may be sold? I strongly contend that the answer is no and in which case your arguments are a farce.
Swalk
says...
10:10pm Thu 30 Jul 09
senseofsouthampton
says...
10:31pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Swalk wrote:If you're going to stop reading the Echo does that mean you're going to stop boring everyone on the Echo website too?
Is the Echo is trying to wreck the city and its great institutions? Yesterday Peter Law ran a story implying that foreign Soton uni students were defecting as illegal immigrants (not true - most of them either go to other unis or never reach the UK in the first place, but who cares what the truth is?). But the paper's part in trying to reduce the city's prestigious art collection (which belongs to the city, not Murray or Hannides) is enough to start a campaign to stop people buying the Echo. Me first
southy
says...
10:31pm Thu 30 Jul 09
senseofsouthampton
says...
10:47pm Thu 30 Jul 09
southy wrote:That would be really good in case the people of Southampton ran out of toilet paper...
would be good for another local paper to start printing or one others like the evening star to publish a local paper.
Seriously southy, local papers are really struggling and may soon be a thing of the past. Mainly due to the web. Just look at some of their corporate results and then perhaps you see the reason behind their over-hyped, under-researched stories.
freemantlegirl2
says...
7:38am Fri 31 Jul 09
senseofsouthampton wrote:We can always live in hope!! after certain comments I saw on that other thread!
Swalk wrote:If you're going to stop reading the Echo does that mean you're going to stop boring everyone on the Echo website too?
Is the Echo is trying to wreck the city and its great institutions? Yesterday Peter Law ran a story implying that foreign Soton uni students were defecting as illegal immigrants (not true - most of them either go to other unis or never reach the UK in the first place, but who cares what the truth is?). But the paper's part in trying to reduce the city's prestigious art collection (which belongs to the city, not Murray or Hannides) is enough to start a campaign to stop people buying the Echo. Me first
As for the art, it's a slippery slope.....is it funding the new spin doctor? ludicrous and I don't think it will be agreed anyway. Let's hope not! However, why is it kept under wraps? it should be displayed for all to enjoy ! or is this because they can't afford the insurance? if it will never be displayed for that reason then it makes sense to sell it because the public will never get to see it :/
Swalk
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8:07am Fri 31 Jul 09
Jenjo
says...
8:46am Fri 31 Jul 09
Lone Ranger
says...
9:21am Fri 31 Jul 09
senseofsouthampton wrote:Dear Sense.
Swalk wrote: Is the Echo is trying to wreck the city and its great institutions? Yesterday Peter Law ran a story implying that foreign Soton uni students were defecting as illegal immigrants (not true - most of them either go to other unis or never reach the UK in the first place, but who cares what the truth is?). But the paper's part in trying to reduce the city's prestigious art collection (which belongs to the city, not Murray or Hannides) is enough to start a campaign to stop people buying the Echo. Me firstIf you're going to stop reading the Echo does that mean you're going to stop boring everyone on the Echo website too?
Why do you have to be so bitter towards posters on this site.
Like you they have an opinion and are well justified in expressing it.
Perhaps its the bitterness in you that you are unemployed and blame the Government for it.
When i was in your position three years ago, unemployed, rather than sit back and moan and blame Governments etc i took no handouts and set up my own business without the help of anyone and still supported a family.
Why dont you?
Just get off your high horse, stop making pathetic accusations towards fellow posters and start respecting other people opinions who feel that this council is not doing its best for its citizens
senseofsouthampton
says...
9:24am Fri 31 Jul 09
Jenjo wrote:You've already admitted not knowing that these two pieces were owned by the City so they can't have done a great job in promoting visitors to Southammton so far. You just disagree for the sake of disagreeing.
The most valuable works are precisely the ones that the Council shouldn't be selling because they are the ones that the public will come to see - just like people go to the Louvre specifically to see the Mona Lisa. The problem has always been letting the world know what Soton art gallery has to offer. But the Council's plan to sell off some of the best bits has achieved something that no previous publicity campaign has ever managed, talk about shooting yourself in the foot! How can they sell these sculptures off now when more people that ever will want to come to the city to see them?
Name another piece of artwork that you are worried about the sale of. I would wager a hell of alot of money that you can't name one.
mr.southampton
says...
9:52am Fri 31 Jul 09
senseofsouthampton wrote:Yes I have. the Rodin is a sculpture based on a ballerina. It's one of the best pieces in the gallery and has been on display in the not too distant past.
Can someone who has come out with mock outrage at this story please, please answer this question honestly... Have you ever taken time out of your day to go and look at either of the 2 works of art that the Echo has suggested may be sold? I strongly contend that the answer is no and in which case your arguments are a farce.
mr.southampton
says...
9:59am Fri 31 Jul 09
What's the matter Echo. Are you afraid of some opposition to your unpopular campaign?
The local press should be there to inform people. Not attempt to stifle freedom of speech.
Bevois Valley Resident
says...
11:59am Fri 31 Jul 09
mr.southampton wrote:Me too. I saw Eve as well on a 'behind the scenes' tour that the gallery put on.
senseofsouthampton wrote: Can someone who has come out with mock outrage at this story please, please answer this question honestly... Have you ever taken time out of your day to go and look at either of the 2 works of art that the Echo has suggested may be sold? I strongly contend that the answer is no and in which case your arguments are a farce.Yes I have. the Rodin is a sculpture based on a ballerina. It's one of the best pieces in the gallery and has been on display in the not too distant past.
MrGMan
says...
12:03pm Fri 31 Jul 09
"New space created by the museum also means an extra 100 paintings will go on permanent display. "
So those against the sale of pieces of art that are not on display are also against the funds being used to display more art!
You couldn't make it up.
Everyone who has posted on here so far should state when and where they saw these pieces of art.
senseofsouthampton
says...
2:22pm Fri 31 Jul 09
Lone Ranger wrote:Dear Lone Ranger
senseofsouthampton wrote:Dear Sense.
Swalk wrote: Is the Echo is trying to wreck the city and its great institutions? Yesterday Peter Law ran a story implying that foreign Soton uni students were defecting as illegal immigrants (not true - most of them either go to other unis or never reach the UK in the first place, but who cares what the truth is?). But the paper's part in trying to reduce the city's prestigious art collection (which belongs to the city, not Murray or Hannides) is enough to start a campaign to stop people buying the Echo. Me firstIf you're going to stop reading the Echo does that mean you're going to stop boring everyone on the Echo website too?
Why do you have to be so bitter towards posters on this site.
Like you they have an opinion and are well justified in expressing it.
Perhaps its the bitterness in you that you are unemployed and blame the Government for it.
When i was in your position three years ago, unemployed, rather than sit back and moan and blame Governments etc i took no handouts and set up my own business without the help of anyone and still supported a family.
Why dont you?
Just get off your high horse, stop making pathetic accusations towards fellow posters and start respecting other people opinions who feel that this council is not doing its best for its citizens
It is as inaccurate as it is offensive to suggest that I have not looked for employment. And I have taken no hand outs. In case you haven't noticed we are in the midst of a massive recession thanks to this incompetent government. You seem very happy to attack our local council but find it impossible to even accept that this Government has taken this country to the brink of economic collapse. Your myopia is truly disturbing.
I attack posts that are deliberately one-sided and ridiculous, normally they belong to you. And before you start pontificating as to what comments I should and should not be making on this website I would remind you that you called me pathetic and a tory merely for beating the drum for our lads and lasses in uniform. You started this. I have served my country you little parasite, don't lecture me about sitting back and moaning. All you do is moan, that and act apologiser in chief for our dettached local MP. Jog on you little cyber warrior.
Lone Ranger
says...
3:15pm Fri 31 Jul 09
senseofsouthampton wrote:Wow !!
Lone Ranger wrote:Dear Lone Ranger It is as inaccurate as it is offensive to suggest that I have not looked for employment. And I have taken no hand outs. In case you haven't noticed we are in the midst of a massive recession thanks to this incompetent government. You seem very happy to attack our local council but find it impossible to even accept that this Government has taken this country to the brink of economic collapse. Your myopia is truly disturbing. I attack posts that are deliberately one-sided and ridiculous, normally they belong to you. And before you start pontificating as to what comments I should and should not be making on this website I would remind you that you called me pathetic and a tory merely for beating the drum for our lads and lasses in uniform. You started this. I have served my country you little parasite, don't lecture me about sitting back and moaning. All you do is moan, that and act apologiser in chief for our dettached local MP. Jog on you little cyber warrior.senseofsouthampton wrote:Dear Sense. Why do you have to be so bitter towards posters on this site. Like you they have an opinion and are well justified in expressing it. Perhaps its the bitterness in you that you are unemployed and blame the Government for it. When i was in your position three years ago, unemployed, rather than sit back and moan and blame Governments etc i took no handouts and set up my own business without the help of anyone and still supported a family. Why dont you? Just get off your high horse, stop making pathetic accusations towards fellow posters and start respecting other people opinions who feel that this council is not doing its best for its citizensSwalk wrote: Is the Echo is trying to wreck the city and its great institutions? Yesterday Peter Law ran a story implying that foreign Soton uni students were defecting as illegal immigrants (not true - most of them either go to other unis or never reach the UK in the first place, but who cares what the truth is?). But the paper's part in trying to reduce the city's prestigious art collection (which belongs to the city, not Murray or Hannides) is enough to start a campaign to stop people buying the Echo. Me firstIf you're going to stop reading the Echo does that mean you're going to stop boring everyone on the Echo website too?
I know what a parasite is but what is
"myopia"
"pontificating"
unfortunately i dont have time to thumb through a thesaurus as i am busy working. Nor do i have the time or inclination to "google" it.
You come on here with no comments of your own just to pick up on what everyone else posts and slag them off.
Can you come up with anything original as regards name calling only i have been called them before by much better people than you.
And by the way your next employer, if you are good enough to find one, may just be ME.
Now thats something to think about isn't it
I cant wait!!
MrGMan
says...
4:27pm Sat 1 Aug 09
Lone Ranger if "better people" than sense have called you the same names as sense has then isn't that telling you something?
Lone Ranger
says...
9:11am Sun 2 Aug 09
MrGMan wrote:You are as sharp as a carrot
I notice no one has said when they last saw these fantastic pieces of work? Lone Ranger if "better people" than sense have called you the same names as sense has then isn't that telling you something?
lol
spotburst
says...
4:54pm Mon 3 Aug 09
More of a 'crowd puller' than a Titanic exhibition I would have thought. As for selling off art, as another comment has suggested: 'once it's gone, it's gone' - we'll never be able to get these treasures back. Southampton City should build on it's strengths and it's clear that the art collection (much of it unshown - so show it!) is precisely that.
dennytg says...
10:44am Thu 30 Jul 09