Chuck Close has died

[Coventina]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/19/arts/design/chuck-close-artist-ofoutsized-reality-dies-at-81.html

I hadn't known he had been diagnosed with dementia.
This definitely changes my viewpoint of the charges of sexual harassment against him.

My mother, who also died of dementia, also did some really inappropriate things early on in her disease. We didn't understand what was going on with her at the time, but as the disease progressed, we understood it in hindsight.

It's just a tragedy all around.

[chowder66]

1. Oh NO!!

I didn't know anything about the sexual harassment accusations.

[Coventina]

2. Yeah, it was pretty shocking to the art world, when the women came forward

It resulted in him being somewhat blacklisted, and some of his shows were canceled.

I don't blame the women, if he didn't know he was sick, how were they to know?

Just a sad situation all around.

[chowder66]

4. I missed it completely but really appreciated his art.

And I've known of dementia causing inappropriate comments, etc. It's so sad. I imagine if they were cognizant of their actions they would be mortified.

[Coventina]

5. I teach art history, and have been teaching about him for years.

I debated with myself briefly after the allegations came out, as to whether to stop teaching him.
But, came to the conclusion that if I stopped teaching every artist who had a troubled history, I'd have to cut out Gauguin, Rembrandt, Bernini, Caravaggio, and a whole host of others.

We have to acknowledge that people are rarely paragons of virtue, or, in this case, undone by their own health.

[chowder66]

6. Good call IMO.

[Coventina]

7. Thanks!

Glad to find another fan of his!

[chowder66]

8. : )

[hlthe2b]

3. Yes... Frontotemporal dementia is known for causing damage resulting in disinhibition

[PCIntern]

9. I treated a judge who had that

and it was extremely disturbing for years. I kept saying to his wife and son that he needed to be evaluated, but they were as afraid of him as everybody else was. He finally died age 96 and what a relief to so many people who he tortured for years. He was finally diagnosed with about six months left in his life, and I just shook my head because I knew it for at least 10 years prior. His actions in my office were particularly egregious, but he was known to be extremely vindictive and dangerous, and felt all powerful. And he was.