Jan 18, 2023·edited Jan 18, 2023Liked by Franklin Einspruch
And by the way, even apart from the penis issue (I think it looks more like giant bloated armed sausages making out), this thing reminds me of the kind of glorified (and pricey) schlock sculptures one finds at ghastly commercial galleries catering to the well-heeled "artistic" tchotchke crowd, which provoke a kind of bemused contempt. Well, at least it's not gold-plated (though a scaled-down "gold" version is available: https://bit.ly/3GQCHDk ).
OK, foreign language reference: Morcilla is a Spanish word for a kind of sausage. In Spain, "polla morcillona" is slang for a partially erect or hardening penis. Do the math.
Of course you're not making this up. One can't make this stuff up. But Thomas is right in saying he was not the only person involved and that he didn't just spring this thing on the public all of a sudden without prior warning and without anyone else being aware of what he was up to. He may genuinely find this sculpture completely appropriate, acceptable and even admirable, but given that it is meant to honor specific historical figures and that it is a public work, it should certainly have had to go through--and pass--considerable vetting by multiple parties, and the chief responsibility is theirs.
Even from a non-aesthetic standpoint, we're talking about a couple embracing, which could be any couple embracing for any reason, since people cannot be expected to recognize the specific individuals from just their hands. How does that portray or reflect the historical significance of these figures? Wasn't that the point of this monument? Or is this a resurgence (the horror!) of Surrealism?
Rhetorical questions: Would this commission ever have gone to, say, an Asian or Indian or (gasp!) white sculptor, no matter how talented and well-suited for the work he or she may have been? Would that even have been considered to begin with? Would anybody dare to object (openly) about the commission for a public sculpture honoring a white historical figure going to a person of color?
" There are no plans to modify it or change it?" Heheh... Modify a public artwork that likely weighs several tons, is made of bronze and I'm sure had plenty of time for public comment along time ago...
Aside from which there is a, ahem, LONG and storied history of public statues that teenage boys have realized that at "just the right angle" seems to suggest something "else." The one of Roger Williams in Providence is a prime example. Whatever. Love it or hate, who cares what the "social media" reaction is? Parisians hated the Eiffel Tower with a passion for years until they loved it.
Personally, I'd rather someone aim for something different and fail then just push out another obvious 30' high mannequin.
And by the way, even apart from the penis issue (I think it looks more like giant bloated armed sausages making out), this thing reminds me of the kind of glorified (and pricey) schlock sculptures one finds at ghastly commercial galleries catering to the well-heeled "artistic" tchotchke crowd, which provoke a kind of bemused contempt. Well, at least it's not gold-plated (though a scaled-down "gold" version is available: https://bit.ly/3GQCHDk ).
OK, foreign language reference: Morcilla is a Spanish word for a kind of sausage. In Spain, "polla morcillona" is slang for a partially erect or hardening penis. Do the math.
Of course you're not making this up. One can't make this stuff up. But Thomas is right in saying he was not the only person involved and that he didn't just spring this thing on the public all of a sudden without prior warning and without anyone else being aware of what he was up to. He may genuinely find this sculpture completely appropriate, acceptable and even admirable, but given that it is meant to honor specific historical figures and that it is a public work, it should certainly have had to go through--and pass--considerable vetting by multiple parties, and the chief responsibility is theirs.
Even from a non-aesthetic standpoint, we're talking about a couple embracing, which could be any couple embracing for any reason, since people cannot be expected to recognize the specific individuals from just their hands. How does that portray or reflect the historical significance of these figures? Wasn't that the point of this monument? Or is this a resurgence (the horror!) of Surrealism?
Rhetorical questions: Would this commission ever have gone to, say, an Asian or Indian or (gasp!) white sculptor, no matter how talented and well-suited for the work he or she may have been? Would that even have been considered to begin with? Would anybody dare to object (openly) about the commission for a public sculpture honoring a white historical figure going to a person of color?
Speechless
" There are no plans to modify it or change it?" Heheh... Modify a public artwork that likely weighs several tons, is made of bronze and I'm sure had plenty of time for public comment along time ago...
Aside from which there is a, ahem, LONG and storied history of public statues that teenage boys have realized that at "just the right angle" seems to suggest something "else." The one of Roger Williams in Providence is a prime example. Whatever. Love it or hate, who cares what the "social media" reaction is? Parisians hated the Eiffel Tower with a passion for years until they loved it.
Personally, I'd rather someone aim for something different and fail then just push out another obvious 30' high mannequin.