Leverett House Debates Nudes

Twenty-five Leverett House residents bared their feelings last night in an open discussion about student-produced, nude figure drawings hung in their dining hall about two weeks ago.

The artwork, which consists of roughly half-a-dozen charcoal drawings of naked women, was produced by Leverett students who participated in a series of workshops led by non-resident tutor Laura Segal.

Complaints began soon after the pictures went up, and students present at last night's meeting said they had heard other Leverett residents object to the drawings, specifically to their placement in a common eating area.

"People have been saying things like 'I don't want to look at that while I'm eating," said Julie E. Park '93, co-curator of the exhibit.

But the meeting, moderated by House Committee Cochair Ajay Zutshi '93, was almost entirely free of objections to the drawings. Only one student present at the meeting, Christine Omodi-Engola '94, said she objected to the art, citing a personal aversion to both the art and its placement.

"This is interfering with my educational process," said Omodi-Engola, adding that other students she knows feel the same way. "I feel pain, I feel suffering."

While other students present said they admiredOmodi-Engola's courage in speaking up, many arguedthat taking down the works would be a mistake.

"I think that we run the risk of losingsomething that's really great about Leverett,"said C. Eric Rosenblum '89-'92.

Other students said the debate about theexhibit--which is part of a series of similardisplays--shows that the art is a positiveinfluence on the house.

"This is what the people in the house aredoing," said Richard L. Harris '92. "For me, thefact that people are talking about it is a goodsign."

Some students present last night suggestedalternatives to the present display, includingestablishing an "art-free zone" in the dining hallor instituting a review policy for the art.

But those ideas drew quick objections. "I feelvery uncomfortable with the idea of any kind ofreview," said Wendy Kohn, a resident tutor whohelps organize the exhibits.

Kohn and others said the issue would be debatedfurther, but that the final decision rested in thehands of House Master John E. who said hesupports the exhibition.

"I'm delighted it's all done by dents and I'mvery pleased [with the exhibit]," Dowling said

While other students present said they admiredOmodi-Engola's courage in speaking up, many arguedthat taking down the works would be a mistake.

"I think that we run the risk of losingsomething that's really great about Leverett,"said C. Eric Rosenblum '89-'92.

Other students said the debate about theexhibit--which is part of a series of similardisplays--shows that the art is a positiveinfluence on the house.

"This is what the people in the house aredoing," said Richard L. Harris '92. "For me, thefact that people are talking about it is a goodsign."

Some students present last night suggestedalternatives to the present display, includingestablishing an "art-free zone" in the dining hallor instituting a review policy for the art.

But those ideas drew quick objections. "I feelvery uncomfortable with the idea of any kind ofreview," said Wendy Kohn, a resident tutor whohelps organize the exhibits.

Kohn and others said the issue would be debatedfurther, but that the final decision rested in thehands of House Master John E. who said hesupports the exhibition.

"I'm delighted it's all done by dents and I'mvery pleased [with the exhibit]," Dowling said

"I'm delighted it's all done by dents and I'mvery pleased [with the exhibit]," Dowling said