[null, {"document_url": "http://artblogbybob.blogspot.com/2011/02/thinking-long-term-to-sell-or-not-to.html", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JWlxLoeoT08/TVstou6PtUI/AAAAAAAAImE/izJSW6QhJ3s/s400/Pollock%2BMural.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JWlxLoeoT08/TVstou6PtUI/AAAAAAAAImE/izJSW6QhJ3s/s400/Pollock%2BMural.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Pollock BMural"}, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://artblogbybob.blogspot.com/2011/02/thinking-long-term-to-sell-or-not-to.html", "unformatted_src": "http://s.iwl.me/w.png", "src": "http://s.iwl.me/w.png", "rendered_width": 120}, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://artblogbybob.blogspot.com/2011/02/thinking-long-term-to-sell-or-not-to.html", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ESC4bygtp2M/Sqrc5PhASDI/AAAAAAAAILc/pB6a3d3qEpk/S220/box_small.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ESC4bygtp2M/Sqrc5PhASDI/AAAAAAAAILc/pB6a3d3qEpk/S220/box_small.jpg", "formatted_filename": "box small", "alt_text": "Survey of Famous Paintings", "rendered_width": 144, "rendered_height": 144}, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://artblogbybob.blogspot.com/2011/02/thinking-long-term-to-sell-or-not-to.html", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ESC4bygtp2M/SbhoUc5BS-I/AAAAAAAAHek/2t0onYtFCjA/S220/DSCF1332.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ESC4bygtp2M/SbhoUc5BS-I/AAAAAAAAHek/2t0onYtFCjA/S220/DSCF1332.jpg", "formatted_filename": "DSCF", "alt_text": "Woodbury Fine Art Portraits", "rendered_width": 165, "rendered_height": 220}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]


Thinking Long Term: To Sell, or Not to Sell, a Masterpiece “In the long run, we’re all dead,” John Maynard Keynes once said in defense of his brand of economics featuring an array of short-term solutions. It seems like the state legislature of Iowa feels the same way. Faced with a budgetary shortfall, the Iowa House is considering forcing the University of Iowa to sell Jackson Pollock’s Mural (detail shown above), a painting in their collection estimated to be worth $140 million USD. “That would be like selling your grandmother,” claims Sean O’Harrow, director of the University of Iowa Museum of Art. Lawmakers suggest that such a sale now could help pay for scholarships in the future. But are they really thinking long term in suggesting this short-term solution? Or are they selling away future generations’ enjoyment of their cultural heritage in a moment of panic? Please come over to Picture This at Big Think to read more of "Thinking Long Term."

Posted by Bob at 5:50 PM Labels: Benton (Thomas Hart), Big Think, Guston (Philip), Pollock (Jackson)


