Updates: Steven Kurtz and Tom Forsythe

As things turn out, it seems that Steven Kurtz is not, in fact, a bioterrorist. According to The Buffalo News, Grand Jury findings are that Kurtz now faces indictments on wire and mail fraud. The feds have decided he and a colleague "illegally schemed" to obtain two (legal, low-threat) bacterial agents that Kurtz uses in his art. I would like to point out that the agents, which, potentially, can send Kurtz and his colleague to prison for 20 years, cost a whopping $256. I have no idea what a seven-week federal investigation, Grand Jury and platoon of guys in HAZMAT suits is going for these days, but feel quite certain it is more than $256. (As are Steven Kurtz's current and ongoing legal fees.)

Upholding First Amendment rights, as a Visa commercial might state, is "priceless". (Whether or not any rights were just upheld is open to debate. After witnessing these events, how many artists will be willing to remain open to threats of persecution? How many museums, receiving federal funding, will be willing to hold these exhibitions?) The personal hell Mr. Kurtz has been put through would seem to have an incalculable cost.

On the lighter side, Tom Forsythe, the "Food Chain Barbie" Utah artist who'd fought off a copyright infringement lawsuit by toy maker Mattel, has received a ruling that Mattel must pay his legal costs. Wouldn't it be great if Mattel now actually stops dragging this out and pays up? You'd think it would be much better publicity for Barbie than her stunning breakup with Ken, earlier this year.