IN response to your article on the worth of modern art, in particular reference to the Bolton Institutes Art Degrees.

My friend has just completed his foundation art course there and as part of that took part in the exhibition. His work was based on modern subcultures, and was based around photography and a video installation. I feel his piece was excellent. The video was of myself and two others talking about our lifestyles, our tastes in music, what we thought of drugs and our childhoods and how they affected our tastes and influences as adults. These were intercut with scenes from independent films such as Kevin Smith's 'Clerks' and 'Dazed and Confused'. The photography was of various people from Manchester who defined themselves as belonging to a 'subculture'. The overall result was impressive and evocative, and a fellow mature student expressed his thought that my friends work 'struck a nerve' and was very relevant to today's society.

Modern Art doesn't have to be pretentious or boring, as I have described it can be a challenging and worthwhile experience.

Lauren Alergant

Administration Assistant

Regeneration and External Funding Team

Bolton