Here's the latest on the Lewis Greenberg issue regarding "Art" vs "Trash" story, as I've read it. Judge Kathryn Koch ruled that Greenberg's Holocaust Memorial, located in Ballwin, MO, violates two Ballwin ordinances. The first prohibits littering and the other prohibits storing materials that constitute a health menace. Judge Koch fined Greenberg $1,000. and that fine was to be paid by 1/13/08.

As of last week when I drove by the property, the yard was still filled with the materials. Still with no end in sight, as Greenberg continues his fight as he feels his constitutional rights, including freedom of speech & religion, are being impinged upon.

He is planning to appeal the verdict to the Missouri Circuit Court of Appeals before he can be charged again.

The neighbors feel that property values are being affected by in a downward fashion by the "trash" on the property. Typically, the home values run $250K to $300K in the Whispering Oakwood subdivision.  To be continued....

Seems like this saga will never end! West Newsmagazine reports that now, self-acclaimed artist, Lewis Greenberg is suing the city of Ballwin, MO in U.S. District Court. Greenbergs suit states his constitutional rights, freedom of speech and of religion are being compromised.

Most of the yard "art" represents (per Greenberg) the holocaust.

The yard "art" is amazing to see in a subdivision located in such an up-scale neighborhood. I'd say too, that it'd be amazing to see anywhere! In addition, I'd say a goodly part of the problem is that at night, bright lights illuminate the entire site and of course, spills over into nearby yards. I'm not talking dusk to dawn lights either. It would easily, to my mind, be considered a nuisance to the neighbors and is shocking to the folks driving by. And yes, folks are now making it a "drive-by" frequently to check it out. I think you might expect to see something like this set up in an unincorporated area that has limited or no rules/regulations, but not in a subdivision of high quality, well built homes like Whispering Oakwood in West County. I'd asked him if he'd considered displaying in one of the local parks (like Laumeier Sculpture Park) to see if they'd consider his art or to exhibit his "art" in a more traditional setting, but it was out of the question! In my opinion, he likes the attention and being in the lime-light. He prefers not to exhibit in a traditional manner such as a gallery, but to be a thorn in the side of his neighbors. Stir things up a bit. In my view, he's taking his "right" to the extreme and stepping on others "right" to have some "peace".

The city of Ballwin denies all the claims in the lawsuit and is waiting now until the court has the opportunity to view the property.This has been and seems like it will continue to be an on-going saga. OK, so where does Greebergs right trump the neighbors right to have a peaceful life in a quiet subdivision? What do YOU think? Sign up for the RSS to be updated when more news is available. Stay tuned!