SOME GLARING OMISSIONS

In the first sentence of Richard Eder’s review of Clarkson N. Potter/Guillard Editions’ “Piero Della Francesca: Poet of Form” (Book Review, Dec. 25), he opens with: “Painting is the only art form that presents itself outside of time.” He then goes on to refer to music, theater, film and dance.

There are two glaring omissions, still photography and sculpture. Of course many people adhere to the belief that photography isn’t art. A lot of photography isn’t. A lot of paintings aren’t art either.

Paul Strand made what I feel was the ultimate case for photography about 60 years ago: “There is no guarantee that a person who takes a canvas, palate knife and paint will produce a work of art--or that a person taking a mechanical contraption like a camera, some sensitized material and some chemistry will not produce a work of art. Some people use material and equipment on hand in an artistic way and some don’t.”

As far as sculpture is concerned, it neither needs nor will receive defense by me. The whole omission puts Eder’s opening two paragraphs on a very dubious foundation.

AL BENSON

COSTA MESA