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These outspoken people bravely share their unconventional opinions in this reserved city, sparking impassioned reactions as a result

Sunday, June 02, 2002

Thomas Sokolowski
Director, The Andy Warhol Museum

	Thomas Sokolowski

As the most outspoken leader in a local arts community that tries hard not to make waves, Sokolowski often finds himself out on a limb. "Without Sanctuary," the controversial exhibition of graphic lynching photographs, found a home at The Warhol, as did an edgy performance art series imported from New York City. Driven by a passionate concern for the future of the visual arts in Pittsburgh, he also publicly challenged the decision of the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts to abandon its curated exhibition program and the choice of a local sculptor (whose work he derided as "bowling trophies") to commemorate Pittsburgh native son Gene Kelly. Some think Sokolowski's public discourse is out of line, but his proactive stance -- administrative and personal -- aims to get Pittsburgh in shape to claim the prominence it deserves in this new millennium.

Anti-Flag
Punk Anti-Statesmen: Chris Barker, Pat Thetic, Chris Head and

Justin Sane.

They've always been provocative; they're Anti-Flag. But with so many in this country seeking comfort in the flag and that ubiquitous Lee Greenwood song in the wake of Sept. 11, touring with a name like Anti-Flag and shouting down the Bush administration while performing in the shadow of an upturned American flag, was guaranteed to either stir things up or get them killed.

Manny Theiner
Director, Pop Bus/SSS Records; independent music presenter

After the closing of the Millvale Industrial Theater due to building code violations, Theiner rebounded with the release of "Circuits of Steel: Electronic Music From Pittsburgh for the 21st Century," a two-CD, city compilation of Intelligent Dance Music. He timed it with a week of concerts, featuring no less than 26 of the 30 "Circuits" artists in a half-dozen locations. And that's just a week in the life of the city's most cutting-edge music presenter. He books a steady stream of avant-garde, noise, experimental jazz and goth concerts. Theiner's passion for the provocative extends to booking tours for overseas experimental groups with no profit for himself.

Charlie Humphrey
Executive director, Pittsburgh Filmmakers

"Content over bandwidth," a slogan Humphrey coined in response to HDTV, could also be his personal motto. With idealistic verve, he challenges tired notions of what constitutes art and society. Last fall's successful Media/Tonic event was a "great example," he says, of "what we try to do: explode preconceived ideas of what is media, moving away from proscenium-based media like TV and movies." Filmmakers is experiencing its best year, an achievement clouded by the prospect of losing Point Park College students when the school sets up its own film program. Some may call Humphrey quixotic, but he's really a visionary who doesn't duck from the obligations of leadership.