Press release / letter "To the friends of the Gallery," by Howard Wise, published December 16, 1970 announcing the closure of Howard Wise Gallery following the closing of the exhibition "Three Sounds," by Howard Jones on December 19, 1970.

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that the current show, "Three Sounds" by Howard Jones, which closes December 19, will be the last exhibition at my Gallery.

It may seem paradoxical to you that at the height of the Gallery's success I am withdrawing from the exhibition scene.

The most important considerations which have impelled me to make this decision are that many artists, among them some of the most adventuresome, are focusing their energies on works of such scope that these can only be hinted at in the Gallery, and cannot be shown or realized here. These artists are going out of the Gallery into the environment, the sky, the ocean, even into outer space.

Others are seeking imaginative ways of utilizing modern technology to humanize people instead of for commercial or destructive purposes, which de-humanize us all.

Furthermore, as modern technology becomes more sophisticated, artists who use its products as their medium are producing works of increasing complexity, with result that it becomes increasingly demanding of the Gallery's resources to mount exhibitions of those who are exploring in depth the potentials of scientific developments.

Although many of these visionary projects are "impractical" and are not readily realizable at this time, they nevertheless are of great importance, for they may stimulate the imagination of those who control our destinies, and suggest what might be done if only they were able to apply their intelligence to making this a better world for people to live in.

I hope to contribute to the realization of some of these projects, particularly to those which are susceptible of diffusion over television.

Most important of all, I feel that I must try to put to maximum social use whatever I possess in the way of training, ability and experience (and I have gained much in the eleven years I have operated my Gallery here).

I cannot stand idly by when the existence of our society and ourselves as individuals is so darkly threatened. I sense and feel deeply the problems that menace us, but this does not mean that I am a pessimist. On the contrary, I believe that these problems are soluble, if only we will use our heads and our hearts with determination and apply our vital energies towards their resolution. After all, our brains have gotten us into this mess, and our brains can get us out of it, if only we use them. I intend to do whatever I can to this end.

-- from letter