In contrast to recent disappointments (a hasty retreat by Montco Commissioners Hoeffel and Matthews; getting the boot from Judge Ott), it does feel great to have Inquirer art critic Edward J. Sozanski stick up for Friends of the Barnes. The June 29th article explains the problem clearly and doesn’t shrink from calling the dismantling plan for the art collection by its names: “a cabal of interests that appear not to appreciate (the Barnes’) essential nature,” “the most audacious art heist in American history…,” “hijacking.”

I hope it won’t sound self-serving to mention that he thinks that the “admirably persistent” Friends have been “mostly right all along.” This is refreshing.

A few excerpts and a link to the June 29, 2008 story follows.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 29, 2008

Art: "Friends of Barnes keep up the good fight," by Edward Sozanski, Contributing Art Critic

To paraphrase the eminent metaphysician L.P. Berra, an event has not concluded until all activity associated with that event has ceased. By that measure, the 20-year struggle for the body and soul of the Barnes Foundation might still have wobbly legs, even if, legally, la guerre appears to be fini.

Although their last-gasp legal challenge to moving the fabulous Barnes collection to Philadelphia has been peremptorily swatted aside by Judge Stanley R. Ott, the Friends of the Barnes Foundation remain undaunted, at least for the record. "We have lost a battle, but we have not been defeated," said Walter Herman, a leader of the group.

The Friends and the three Montgomery County commissioners, who filed their own petition to reopen court hearings on the move, were rebuffed last month on a technicality. Ott opined that neither enjoyed sufficient legal standing, even though in a letter he had encouraged the Friends to take the action they did.

The Friends, who have been admirably persistent in challenging the logic, the morality and the practical ramifications of moving the collection, might be invisible to the law, but they have always enjoyed moral standing."

Click on the following link for the entire article:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/entertainment/20080629_Art__Friends_of_Barnes_keep_up_the_good_fight.html