Marc Wilson
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

"We're sending a message to everybody, lighten up a little bit, folks."
-- Marc Wilson

On the value of art...
"You know, as Americans I think we victimize ourselves. Somehow we got into this notion which we really distilled and boiled down in the 19th Century that the social utility of art is a very important criteria for what is serious art. What counts as fine arts and is supposed ennoble you. It's kind of therapeutic -- the therapeutic virtue of art." "Art stimulates, and I hope it makes people ask questions. I hope the Oldenburg opens the contrast of these different realities. He's opened up our definitions of art and the relationship between people and art. And there's no wrong question."