They were Unamused by the Taubman parody column
Shot by Dan
‘The tackiest, most disrespectful . . . piece’ Casey has ever written!
Note from Dan: The following appeared as an op-ed in today’s paper. It was a response to Sunday’s column, a parody about the Taubman Museum of Art. The headline of the op-ed is “Parody can be useful; disrespect never is.” It was signed by three well-known Roanoke business leaders: Warner Dalhouse, Bittle Porterfield and Jay Turner.
Although we are a bit ashamed to admit it now, we do often read Dan Casey’s column in The Roanoke Times. He is sometimes amusing, sometimes effective at puncturing pomposity, speaking truth to power.
But his attempt at parody in his column in Sunday’s paper, Oct.28, “Dream a little dream of the Taubman,” was perhaps the tackiest, most disrespectful, even obtuse, piece he has ever done.
Heywood Fralin and Nick Taubman are Roanoke Valley and commonwealth of Virginia leaders in the tradition of the finest we have ever produced. Jack Hancock, Frank Clement, Gordon Willis, Ed Mattern, Bill Hopkins Sr. and Jack Fishwick come to mind as peers of these two outstanding citizens and leaders.
These two men and their families have done as much or more for this community than any who have ever lived here. Horace Fralin, Heywood’s older brother, created the charitable trust that Heywood administers that only recently pledged $5 million to Virginia Western Community College, where more of our job training takes place than anywhere else.
Medical Facilities of America, chaired by Heywood and now run by his son William, a former member of the General Assembly, employs almost 1,000 people in this area — extremely valuable jobs.
Arthur Taubman, Nick’s father, founded Advance Auto Parts in Roanoke. He was, like his son, a significant philanthropist and progressive leader in Roanoke and Virginia. Advance is now the only Fortune500 company headquartered here. Nick Taubman built it into a national competitor in the automobile parts business, and Advance now employs almost 1,500people in this area.
Nick Taubman even served as ambassador to Romania, appointed by President GeorgeW. Bush. Only one other Roanoker has had such a prestigious appointment.
Nick and his wife, Jenny, have, in the past two years, made grants of $2.5million to arts and cultural organization in the Roanoke Valley, concerned that the art museum’s capital campaign might have drained money from these other organizations. Casey should have done a column on this singular act of generosity.
We know, because we were there, that Heywood Fralin and Nick Taubman and their families and their businesses were significantly involved in the creation of Center in the Square, the reopening of Hotel Roanoke, the Jefferson Center and, of course, the Taubman Museum of Art. They gave not only money but time, effort, influence and advice, all critical to the success of these unique Roanoke Valley organizations.
Whatever disparaging remarks Casey might make about the architecture of the art museum, it is there; it isn’t going away. He should get over it.
But to be disrespectful of their continued support of the museum and the value these two men have created in our community is shameful, irresponsible and tacky.
We understand parody and irreverence and often applaud their use as clever insightful tools in highlighting hypocrisy or hollow pomposity. But Casey was so caught up in his own shtick, he lost perspective on what is really important.
Applause, admiration, gratitude would all be in order. Smart-aleck self-indulgence such as displayed in Casey’s column is surely out of order.
Each of us has three things to offer: time, talent and resources. The Fralins and the Taubmans have scored highly on each count, and they continue to do so.
Casey has done a disservice to his newspaper as well as his community. We hope, on reflection, that he agrees.
November 1, 2012 - 10:51 AM
Consider your hands slapped, Dan!
But…but….trebuchet!
Whoa, did you hit a nerve?
wow, they like that word Pomposity, don’t they?
This seems appropriately irreverent: http://noclipmode.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/worlds-smallest-violin.jpg
its quite amusing that Dan is given the autonomy to say whatever he wants and quite frequently is condescending or belittling. However, offend a local person with money and influence and it’s unacceptable. So much for freedom of speech.
I think it’s telling that “three well-known Roanoke business leaders” other than Fralin or Taubman wrote that response. Perhaps Fralin and Taubman are just as well-versed in taking the high road as they are financial interests. (I thought the column was hilarious.)
I suggest that rather than wasting time on keyboard clicks writing an op-ed, these business leaders need to sit down, get comfortable, and read all the materials in “Set in Stone: Building America’s New Generation of Arts Facilities 1994-2008″ from the University of Chicago:
http://culturalpolicy.uchicago.edu/setinstone/
They need to read it, reflect on it, learn from it, and maybe even talk with the authors of the report in order to solve the solvency problem of the Taubman Museum of Art.
I read today’s op-ed by the three wise men, and was prompted to read Dan’s on Sunday–can’t believe I missed it. Way to go, Dan, a flying saucer wreck indeed. Remember when the scale model of the future museum was on exhibit in the old museum? No one I personally knew liked it. I guess it’s the philistine crowd I hang around with. But Randall Stout wooed the Valley’s art mavens with bottles of wine and sweet talk. What a shame for all. The boodle of money for the high-maintenance building would have been better spent buying and bringing in great art to a building that fits into the downtown.
People with power rarely admit a mistake, and they SURELY don’t like it when others point out those mistakes.
Dan, you stepped on the third rail for the Roanoke Times – the vaunted Taubman.
I love how the condescending reply to your column included the following statement – ‘Whatever disparaging remarks Casey might make about the architecture of the art museum, it is there; it isn’t going away. He should get over it.’
So, in other words, when presented with $60 million of donations, the museum deities decided to use all $60 million in the construction of the edifice to outdated vanity, as opposed to building a ‘mere’ noteworthy museum that coordinated with the city and region, at half the expense and then using the remainder to fund capital expenses for several decades following.
Since the Taubman has been open, how much money has it lost? Every year it loses money. Every year, the self anointed art heirarchy return to the proletariat begging for a handout, while simultaneously lashing them for ‘not understanding’, and ordering them to ‘get over it’.
I’ve read RT art sycophants tell us to ‘get over it’ annually since the Ark of the Taubman was first constructed. Meanwhile, they refuse to budge from their piety.
Once the wrecking ball comes, perhaps then they will ‘get over it’ themselves. i look forward to that day.
I was on the phone with a reader in Wytheville yesterday who told me he loves my columns and it’s the chief reason he still subscribes. He particularly cited the Taubman column. He then added, “I don’t know why they don’t take up donations and cover that thing up with blue tarps. I would contribute to that.”
I said, “gee, Mr. ——–, I have a reader-feedback column coming up next week and I’d love to use that feedback from you in that column.” But he begged off, because he comes to Roanoke frequently and does business here, and wouldn’t want to unnecessarily anger those people, who may be supporters of the museum.
Another great line, headed for the circular file!
Dan, I hope you went and stood in the corner quietly and reflected upon what you’ve done.
However, offend a local person with money and influence and it’s unacceptable. So much for freedom of speech.
Yep .. thats right
I really didn’t care for your article Dan. Agree with Dalhouse there far too many obtuse references and I just didn’t think it was all that funny. You’ve done better IMHO.
The old museum brought in interesting traveling exhibits. I enjoyed seeing them. The Taubman is just a big expensive building that is almost devoid of art. It is a disaster of epic proportions. Ugly, to boot.
Rest easy, Dan. No need to punture the pomposity of this letter. The authors cleverly did so themselves.
There was a Taubman parody column?
Dan:
“But he begged off, because he comes to Roanoke frequently and does business here, and wouldn’t want to unnecessarily anger those people, who may be supporters of the museum.”
Quote: “The Taubman Museum looks like a plane crash.” John Wilburn November 1, 2012
There.
At what point do people stop apologizing for honesty! Geez!
Since Taubman and Fralin peers wrote this, maybe I can get my ideas to them, who will pass them along? (Note I tried to give these ideas to both recent ex-directors, who blew me off. The most recent guy wouldn’t even listen to me.)
Here’s my point, and a solution: You must have the ENTIRE community’s support as there aren’t enough people to cover the expenses otherwise. You achieve that with Art Contests involving the schools, rotated throughout the year. As an example…
Each September, all grade schools in the region are encouraged to hold a Future Artist Contest. The 1st place winner, as chosen by each school, will be displayed at the museum for X days/weeks in October, along with the other 1st place winners. The museum visitors cast votes.
Each October, all middle schools in the region are encouraged to hold a Future Artist Contest. The 1st and 2nd place winners, as chosen by each school, will be displayed at the museum for X days/weeks in November, along with the other 1st and 2nd place winners. The museum visitors cast votes.
Each November, all high schools in the region are encouraged to hold a Future Professional Artist Contest. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, as chosen by each school, will be displayed at the museum for X days/weeks in December, along with the other winners. The museum visitors cast votes.
Each December, all colleges in the region are encouraged to hold a Professional Artist Contest. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners, as chosen by each school, will be displayed at the museum for X days/weeks in January and February, along with the other winners. The museum visitors cast votes.
Each February, all artists in the region (even nationally) are encouraged to enter the Taubman Annual Art Show. Anyone may enter by bringing their art work to the Taubman for review by staff. If approved, it is entered. The display/contest runs March thru August. The museum visitors cast votes.
Note: You charge contest entry fees to offset costs, and require all easels, pedestals, etc to be paid for by entrants.
Benefits…
1.) Many thousands of new visitors as Mommy and Daddy bring the family to see junior’s art on display.
2.) One million free ad plugs as the words “Taubman Museum” are spoken repeatedly in every school. 2b.) Lots of free ink in local publications, too.
3.) Inroads for inducing hundreds of new field trips to Roanoke for the elementary and middle schoolers, done in conjunction with Center in the Square attractions.
4.) Additional community involvement since people interact by voting on exhibits.
5.) Sales revenue as the pro artists stuff can be offered for sale, proceeds split with museum.
The general public needs to:
1.) Needs to feel welcome at the Taubman.
2.) Needs to be an interactive part of it.
3,) See themselves reflected in the displays.*
* Hello? Crusty old renaissance portraits of people our ancestors shoveled manure for is not an inspiration for most of us.
I certainly think those paintings are an important part of the museum, especially for history loving patrons, but again, this does not reflect the taste of the vast majority of our citizenry. (And PS: The “ladders” display was an embarrassment.)
In closing, I personally think the museum building is gorgeous, a true masterpiece. An art museum should look like art, (for example, the Guggenheim in NYC). So kudos to the architect and sponsors who paid for this wonderful addition to Roanoke. I think we’re damn lucky to have it, and likewise for these citizens who graciously tried to give something back to their community.
But the problem remains…. Unless everyone here feels welcome inside the building and has a wonderful time touring the place, then it is a failure.
The revolving art contests solve this, as you get many thousands of new visitors each year, plus thousands of gorgeous new displays every year, which comes from the very community itself.
“Whatever disparaging remarks Casey might make about the architecture of the art museum, it is there; it isn’t going away. He should get over it.”
Well, you have to appreciate delusion for what it is. That ‘spacecraft’ will be bull-dozed when someone else quits paying for it.
So, I just met a couple in from Oklahoma City for parents weekend at W&L to lunch downtown. It was their first time in Roanoke, and they both noticed the museum driving in from the airport and were impressed.
I forget who it was that described the Taubman as “the wreck of the Flying Nun.” He/she was right on the mark.
The response by these leaders sounds like nothing more than a bunch uppity men kicking and screaming like children because they aren’t getting their due. “Kiss our asses because we are the ones who really matter in this community” “Look what we’ve done and continue to do!” is the real message of this response if you read closely in-between the lines. Here’s a good rule of thumb fellas: A true philanthropist of community gives without expectation of reward or recognition. Just because your name, and that of your rich golf buddies, is plastered all over town makes you no better than the rest of us “common folk”. The fact is, whether you agree, disagree or don’t like it, Mr. Casey did his job – a job TRT feels he is able to do. At the end of the day, all you men have proven is how pompous you are. YOU are the ones who should be ashamed.
It’s an eyesore, full of wasted space and some giant pink used car lot decoration as a centerpiece right now. Bulldoze it, drop an IMAX theater in there housed in a building that fits in with the existing architecture and watch it succeed. The place is a slap in the face to us all. Money would have been better spent on Roanoke City Schools!
Two weeks ago, I met a couple down for the weekend from DC to see the foliage along the Parkway. As we toured through Roanoke on our way they both saw the Taubman and began laughing at the absurd design and the total incongruity with the entire rest of Roanoke architecture. Their first comment was – ‘Whose ego created THAT?’ They both chuckled the rest of the day at how ridiculous the Taubman appeared.
Frankly, I like the museum’s architecture. Yes, like Dan, I’m a transplant from Up North. But I want a museum of modern art to push the design boundaries of its community, and I think that’s just what Stout delivered.
I really don’t understand the widespread, and vocal, disdain for this museum. Doesn’t Roanoke have enough “classy,” “brick,” “white-columned” buildings already?
I will say, though, that the museum cost too much to get in, and I think the plan to open up admission is a good one.
Show me a person who can’t laugh at himself or herself or appreciate a great parody, and I’ll show you a puffball full of hot air signifying nothing. Great column, Dan, and keep them coming. Roanoke needs much, much more of this.
Ugly is as ugly does and that “building” is ugly. It is abviously a stroke to someone’s vanity – isn’t that what they say about men who drive big trucks?
I’ll never understand why it wasn’t moved across 581 and used to lift that area up. Right behind Time Technologies offices on top of the hill there are the foundations of demoed houses that are covered with graffiti. If it were built there we would still have some sort of parking downtown and they would have plenty of parking for the museum.
hey you libs,
the responders to ol’ dano’s column must not realize that ol’ dano is an “opinion” journalist…,therefore, in his mind, he is entitled to write in any fashion or manner he wants, regardless of who or what he might tarnish. His appraoch seems to me to be, the more rich folks he can trash and piss off, the better he feels about himself, and to heck with everything else.
I don’t know the backdrop of Dan’s dream. Could someone provide a quick summary or link to one that explains Taubman’s and Fralin’s roles in creating the museum and how Taubman “trebuchet’d” Fralin and the naming of the museum?
Dave, click here for the original column.
If you’d like to see another column I wrote about Heywood Fralin (it also included Bittle Porterfield, one of the authors of the op-ed) click here.
From the original dream column I got the impression that Fralin was the first primary museum proponent (that had money) and then Taubman came in late in the game, perhaps with more money or through behind the scenes moves, had his name put on the museum instead of Fralin’s even though Fralin had more of a role in the existence of the museum.
(The above only has one period so it must be only one sentence!!!)
Unfortunately, these three VIPs are clearly saying that we small folk should be ever so thankful for all that the monied class does for us. We 99%ers have never fully appreciated the worth of the 1%ers. My bad.
Dan, now look what you gone and did… http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203707604578093024261143516.html
Crickets again… I dunno Dan…
How about any of you 3 local leaders that got on Dan for being too harsh (Warner Dalhouse, Bittle Porterfield or Jay Turner)? What do you 3 think about my idea to remedy your floundering museum revenue, attendance, and total lack of community interest?
Personally, I was surprised how rudely your last 2 directors treated me when I called and asked if I could come visit and discuss ideas to market the museum. Some of you were searching for helpful input, but your overpaid directors piss on help? (Note the first guy did actually let me speak, on the phone, but was resentful and dismissive.)
Do you understand that if the building does not become beloved, or at least the institution it represents become treasured, then you WILL fail financially. This is a fact. You need the GENERAL public… but touring the place bores them. Snap out of it!
Don’t take it personally, Dave Gresham. I doubt that any of those three fellows reads this blog.
Elena in #38: Dan, now look what you gone and did
So once Advance Auto Parts is sold to a private equity firm, to something like Bain Capital, and the headquarters are finally moved to Minnesota, and the 1500 (?) Roanoke employees are given their walking papers (i.e. their Romneyan “pink slips”), will Roanoke try to change the name of the museum? If this were to have happened before the election, do you think Roanokers and other Virginians would have bought into Romney’s myth of being a “job creator” at a private equity firm like Bain?
Here’s where the CEO’s office already is in Bloomington, MN:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=7807+Creekridge+Circle+Bloomington,+Minnesota+55439&ll=44.861051,-93.372484&spn=0.001374,0.002708&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-beta&channel=rcs&hnear=7807+Marth+Cir,+Minneapolis,+Hennepin,+Minnesota+55439&gl=us&t=h&z=20
Or if you need a shorter URL that may not last more than a couple of weeks:
http://goo.gl/maps/J7kkW
It’s a shame when a guy has to sell his multi-billion dollar company just so he can prop open the doors on an albatross of an art museum named for his wife.
I blame it on Obama!
Gentlemen,
It’s MR. Casey to you!
Blue John,
Welcome back!