Steve Cooley Fine Art

Dear Mr. Ryoji Ikeda:

Derek and I saw C^4I at the California Theatre. While I can appreciate your pieces as conceptual existential statements, I wonder if it was necessary to run your exhibit at over 85DB? Is that the major feature of these two pieces? Would your art still be art to you if it weren’t hurting the audience? I know you had some cool data driven visuals and audio, but the volume was loud enough to distract me from all other contemplation and comprehension of your works… it seemed to defeat the purpose for me.

I’ll overlook your attempt to make me deaf this time. If you try to repeat this kind of dangerous shit again in the future, I’ll be storming the theatre with a big box of 30DB foam ear plugs so that everyone can at least have the opportunity to experience your art without needing a hearing aide the next day.

Now that my ears have stopped bleeding and are starting to scab over, I recognize your provocation and accept your challenge. A battle of style, ok? See you in san jose in two years… Bring something other than something painfully loud; I will.

Love,
-steve cooley

P.S. California theatre, you’re not off the hook. I’ll be talking to you in person.

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