Local blog D.C. Art News is reporting on two stories connected to the City Museum of Washington, D.C., which has experienced low attendance since opening in their new location in the Carnegie library building near the convention center.

The first tidbit is over a controversy about an exhibit at the museum. D.C. Art News author Lennox Campello reports that objects for a display called “Funky Furniture” was deemed unacceptable by museum officials for “sexual and/or offensive content.” Apparently, “One of the objectionable ones was an end table with ‘The bitch set me up’ carved with on the surface with a razor blade.” More:

The entire show has been removed from the main floor, and some may be allowed in smaller spaces elsewhere, but the offending six will not appear.

There are apparently ongoing negotiations with the museum management, but this has the smell of art censorship.

In a paradoxical way, this brewing controversy could be exactly what the museum needs to increase its visibility and maybe even get some people to visit it.

Secondly, and on a more positive note, Campello also reports an effort by local artist Marsha Stein to bring together the D.C. arts community for a project which would create art objects for display at the City Museum to help “revitalize” the institution. She’s holding an organizing meeting for the competition next Monday, Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Karma Restaurant at 1919 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.