In a low-profile acknowledgement of a de-facto situation, the Menil collection’s Board of Trustees has approved the de-accession of Art Guys Marry A Plant, the hapless live oak tree that became a focus of controversy in 2011 when its (then permanent) installation on the Menil grounds was interpreted by protesters as slap in the face to the issue of gay marriage.
The tree was physically removed from its original site in January, 2013, sparking criticism of the Menil in the press, which was muted by a public statement from Director Josef Helfenstein that “The Menil Collection wishes to make clear that it has not de-accessioned the work, nor has it taken any steps toward de-accessioning the work.”
The formal de-accession is in response to a request from the Art Guys, who demanded official acknowledgement of the removal on February 1.
