The city of Milwaukee has some things to say to British artist duo Gilbert and George. I saw G&G’s stunning exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Museum over the weekend, and afterwards flipped through the book of visitor responses at the exit.

Given the provocative nature of G&G’s work — their penchant for depicting bodily substances, and emblazoning their works with titles like “Winter Tongue Fuck” — a number of visitor responses were, how to put it, unappreciative. The form urged, “Ask the artist,” and questions for G&G ranged from the environmentally conscious (“Why bother to waste so much material (paper, glass plastic) …to produce boring art about two boring people? … Time to retire.”) to the stubbornly cosmopolitan (“Consider getting out of the East End of London soon.”). One visitor was apparently concerned that the show might be stocked with fakes (“This is what impressionable preteens are being taught is art? I miss the Art Institute in Chicago where they have REAL art!!!”). Another took wryly feminist aim at the duo’s slogan (”Art for All” – except “all” doesn’t seem to include WOMEN. Something of a gap, wouldn’t you say?…but that’s okay – women are used to it…”)

Those unamused by G&G’s efforts also gave MAM a talking-to. There were statements of civic pride (“Very sad to see artists included in your museum who use vulgar expressions to shock the public – does not reflect well on your city,” signed “A Cincinnati visitor.”), family values tempered by pragmatism (“Why at this time of year when so many family oriented programs are in town – you bring such an un-family oriented project – Would have been okay later in the year.”), and, well, downright condemnation (“This exhibition is unworthy of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Shame on whoever selected it.”)

Which is not to say that the responses were overwhelmingly negative or small-minded. Far from it. Some were intriguingly local (Of the piece “Bloody Life,” a photograph of the artists in front of an array of alcoholic beverages, one visitor wrote, “Milwaukee is a town built on booze, bowling and industry. Our vice was also our backbone and our strength. When are our glory years our great failings…?”) and others were refreshingly technical, if somewhat muddled (“When did you decide to start using the “split” effect?” one visitor asked the artists. “I see it in your later work while your earlier work is black and white and decidedly more simple.”)

Of course, the tangy soup of public opinion wouldn’t be complete without a dash of Dadaistic non-sequitur (“Dogs are actually pigs.”)

Who knew?

One visitor even (rightly!) brought up the thorny topic of high museum admission costs. “Even the permanent collection is inaccessible due to admission cost. I know of no other city art museum (NY, Chicago, Raleigh, NC) that excludes the public this way.”