Bravo for Bench Art

Artists Louis Hock, Elizabeth Sisco, Scott Kessler, Deborah Small, et al., should be commended for their work (“Bus Bench Art Within NEA Guidelines,” Nov. 3).

These artists were granted National Endowment for the Arts money “to extend our exploration of the way art can illuminate contradictions and act as a catalyst for local debate.”

Their work is right on target.

Indeed, these ads have “illuminated contradictions” by bringing renewed interest into the questionable activities of the San Diego Police Department.

The police are supposed to be protecting the citizens of San Diego by upholding the law, yet no description of the bench ad art can be made without some reference to the many people killed by the Police Department’s use of deadly force, even against unarmed civilians.

The extensive media coverage, plus the involvement of a local congressman (U.S. Rep. Bill Lowery, R-San Diego) and a retort by a City Council member (John Hartley) are positive evidence that shows these ads have “acted as a catalyst for local debate.”

The ads are tasteful, simple and elegant. Nothing obscene or vulgar. No genitalia. No violence depicted. Just a solid background with seven very simple figures. One of the figures, the last one, has a question mark in the center of it: “Who will be next?”

EDWARD M. TEYSSIER

National City