Independents

The opening of the exhibition of the Society of Independent Artists in Manhattan (TIME, March 17) has been followed by several events that show the distinctly independent character of the various artists belonging to the Society:

P: A few days ago, the President of the Society instructed the Secretary to show a sign reading KEEP YOUR HAT ON near the entrance to the exhibition, this being an effort to start the European custom in this country. Charles Duncan, with a group of other painters, objected: "One should show respect to Art."

P: At the suggestion of an eleven-year-old schoolboy, the Society is requesting that visitors show their liking or dislike for various pictures by applause or hisses, as the case may be. Edward J. Murtheh, the schoolboy, was given $5 for his suggestion.

P: This year and last several unexpected paintings have appeared. Now Michael Sollento's Prayer has disappeared completely from the midst of the 1,500 exhibits. The committee believes that the treatment of the subject caused offense to some visitor who took the shortest means of removing the picture from the exhibition, namely stealing it.

P: For March 21 the exhibitors were scheduled to hold a ball where they should attempt to appear in costumes mimicking their paintings, thus supporting Oscar Wilde's statement that "Nature copies Art."