Letters: 'The Art of the Steal' & the Barnes dispute

ON FEB. 24, the

Daily News

included a review of the film "The Art of the Steal."

The basic allegation of the film, echoed in its highly sensationalized title and apparently endorsed by the reviewer is that the Barnes collection was somehow "hijacked" or "stolen." The idea of a "theft" requires that the "thing" stolen is actually taken from someone. The reality is that the Barnes board remains in control of the foundation; no members of the Pew Charitable Trust, Annenberg or Lenfest Foundation serve on the board, and Lincoln University nominees represent more than a third of the board.

Howard Gensler's review, and the film itself, also artfully paint a dark and convoluted picture of "closed-door dealings" to betray the wishes of Dr. Barnes. Here again, the truth is much less tantalizing - namely, the concerted action of the Philadelphia philanthropic community to save a chronically struggling institution from ultimate failure. Moreover, the suggestion that the alleged conspirators put into action a carefully orchestrated plan to purposefully destroy the foundation and Dr. Barnes's vision in order to serve other interests is entirely without basis in fact.

Brett I. Miller, General Counsel

The Barnes Foundation

Philadelphia

In the highly acclaimed documentary, "The Art of the Steal," now playing at the Ritz Five, former Pennsylvania attorney general, and now federal judge, Mike Fisher, says on camera:

"I had to explain to them that maybe the attorney general's office would have to take some action involving them that might have to change the complexion of the board. Whether I said that directly or I implied it, I think that they finally got the message."

Fisher is referring to an agreement he and Gov. Rendell pushed on Lincoln University, which then had control of the Barnes board, to give up its objection to the proposed move of the Barnes art collection to Philadelphia.

What Fisher doesn't say is that the deal Lincoln couldn't refuse involved a promise of up to $80 million in taxpayer funds, about half of which the university has so far received. Don't take my word for it - the information is available online. This alone should disabuse the public of the notion that only private money is involved in what has been described as the one of the greatest art thefts in history.

There is also the matter of a mysterious $107 million state appropriation for the move plus the hidden costs of moving the Youth Study Center twice to make room for a new Barnes.

This was brought about by yet another deal, this one made in City Council with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell finally acquiescing to moving the Youth Study Center in return for the city building the Lucien Blackwell Recreation Center in her West Philadelphia district. The cost to taxpayers? Only $12 million.

Aram K. Jerrehian, Wynnewood