Letters

I am the future of art: "All art is a gimmick, and in that gimmick lies the heart of the art." --Sassoism.

"When an artist signs his name to his art, then that's a promotion." --Sassoism.

Why shit on me and ridicule me about my art? You obviously know nothing of my art, because you never got past the "gimmick" ("See Art. See Art Run," December 28). It flew right over your head. The "gimmick" I sent you was an invitation to look at my Web site and perhaps review it as something different on the local art scene. I tried, but why diss art that you obviously know nothing about?

I have no need for the Whitney Biennial "gimmick" or Pillsbury and Peters or any of those other commercial wannabes. The poor Brian guy who has a day job...well, is that a gimmick? If he's in some supposedly prestigious show and doesn't practice art full-time, then it obviously speaks for itself.

Then you shit on me, a full-time artist, who has probably produced more artworks than all the artists you mentioned in your article...combined. Are you angry that your little "poster boy" Brian didn't think up the idea of promoting his Web site via hand-painted metal tags? Oh...he doesn't have a Web site? Talk about the Stone Age...and you talk of the future of art? Those tags you make fun of have to do with "repetition and fragmentation" and "production," as well as "shelf life and longevity." Remember, they are metal.

I am the future of art.

When you shit on me, you shit on Dallas, because I am from Dallas, so why waste time in writing about something that you know so little about? Find out about it instead and then write about it. That is...after you get finished kissing up to that horrible Dunn girl.

P.S. I don't want to make you "cringe," but those metal tags are actually a part of the mixed-media area of my oeuvre, and several years ago a very large company (rhymes with Boca-Bola) wanted to order 24,000,000 of them with my art on them. It was one that got away!

Is that new and artsy enough for you? Would any artist in the country (or world) rather be in the Whitney Biennial or sell that large a quantity of art?

On the future for Sasso: Another very large company (household word) will be using my art in the year 2001 for promotional purposes. So, should I worry about the Whitney Biennial and a couple of pompous galleries in town? If any of your poster children's art were being used by this very large worldwide company, would you write about that?

Since you "cringe" and "cry" about what little art of mine you've seen, I guess it's not news, because I'm doing it. I'll take the very large companies digging my art any day over a few galleries, and so would your poster children if you asked them. I quit my day job 14 years ago.

James Patrick Sasso
Dallas

I put a spell on you: I Want to thank Annabelle for the pep talk on the local art scene. It's nice when someone other than an "art hypester" points out all the things we have going for us in Dallas right now. I'm sure you know but perhaps didn't have the space to go into it in the article on December 28, but Theresa Jones is not gone. Now known under the alias of Theresa Myers, she is the associate director of Pillsbury and Peters Fine Art. We are all very glad that she did not leave the Dallas art world. She's a talented lady. I agree with you about Jason Cohen and Forbidden Gallery being the place to watch. Also, I am pleased to see that you have a sense of humor about Eddie's Exorcism Kit; he's the sweetheart of Expo Park, and it's considered a compliment when he puts a hex on you.

Angela Chestnut
Pillsbury and Peters Fine Art
Dallas

Rabble rouser: Great year-end visual-arts review by Annabelle...and she thinks I'm a rabble rouser! 2001 an Art Odyssey is here in Dallas, and there's no time for any of us to space out. This is the real deal, and once again, she's trying to let us know it!

Frank Campagna
Dallas

Bloodsuckers on the loose: Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Even Gomer Pyle could have seen this one coming. Let's see--a civil attorney in her Mercedes on a post-party munchie run gets jacked and files suit against the burger vendor ("What a Crime," December 21). Shame on your author, "Scoop Jackson," for portraying this as corporate America vs. the basic rights of protection. The story should have been about the perils of dealing with attorneys on any level and in everyday life. The ABA should issue warning stickers for all new bloodsuckers stating: CAUTION: EXTREMELY LITIGIOUS.

Dennis Garrett
Via e-mail

Burger eaters unite: I felt compelled to write after reading of Trina McReynolds' plight against the insensitive corporate giant known as Whataburger. I, too, have been a victim of similar churlishness. Once, I visited one of their restaurants and simply ordered a hamburger with no onions and no mayo--what I got instead was a hamburger with onions and mayo. This is not right, and it has to stop now! And I'll bet I'm not the only one who's suffered similar mistreatment from the hamburger giant. If you've had similar experiences with food orders mishandled, or otherwise been treated shoddily at any Whataburger, I urge you to contact McReynolds and her attorney, Yolanda Torres, and demand that they file a class-action suit on your behalf.

Please, Miss McReynolds, you have to be the voice for those who cannot speak. Thank you for all you're doing.

Kenneth Artz
Via e-mail

Taking responsibility: So Trina McReynolds is "all for" her young carjacker being put into "one of those take-responsibility-for-your-own-actions programs," yet refuses to take responsibility for her own actions. Is it the Whataburger Corporation's fault that Ms. McReynolds lacks the common sense necessary to tell her that a young woman should not be taking an expensive luxury car alone to a drive-through in a high-crime area in the middle of the night? Is it their responsibility to tell her she is being reckless? Then Ms. McReynolds is offended because the Whataburger Corporation failed to adequately apologize for her own foolishness, so she decides to sue? That seems like perfect logic to me. Ms. McReynolds should learn to follow her own advice and take responsibility for her own actions, rather than expecting posted signs to substitute for her own common sense.

Brett Rebal
Dallas

His insights are profound: Whatever you're paying Robert Wilonsky, it's not enough. He, and he alone, is why I pick up the Dallas Observer. His insights are profound and his writing style is full of grace and intelligence. His latest article/review on Oasis' and U2's latest discs is just more proof. He needs a raise. Don't let him jump ship to another publication!

Steve Schleef
Arlington

Battling bad girls: I have the perfect solution that will effectively end prostitution in the Bachman Lake area ("Night Moves," December 21): When the police get a hooker into the squad car, break her legs. For Jesus.

Robert Norton
Dallas

Amazed at The West Wing: Just a short note on your recent article ("Blow Up the Box," December 28). In short, very funny, and for the most part, I agree. I am reserving judgment on Ed, which I think shows promise, much in the way I gave Northern Exposure time to mature.

What I completely agree with is your assessment of The West Wing. It has been altogether too long since I saw closing credits of a show, and, well, simply sat there. Marveling. Amazed at the quality experience I just had. Put another way, it would take an act of God to prevent my reservation of the Wednesday 8-9 slot.

Thanks and keep up the good work.

Rick Turner
Peoria, Illinois

Everybody doesn't love Raymond: Robert, you're so hip and contrary, I want to puke. The Simpsons, which was really in trouble for a while, has rebounded nicely thanks to Dana Gould. That show has been hilarious of late. (I had given up on it myself.)

And I think you left out King of the Hill. As long as that show is on, it's worth having a television.

And lighten up on Raymond! It's at least very...likeable.

Greg Harwell
Phoenix