Trash-Art gets funded while Real Art, is removed.

[Danno 1,228]

THAT’S SEXIST! REP. ANTHONY WEINER SAYS ‘OFFENSIVE’ QUEENS STATUE HAS GOT TO GO

As Wisconsin rumbles and Libya roars, New York Rep. Anthony Weiner has his own problems to worry about: the Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives wants New York City to remove “a public statue in Queens that depicts a nude man standing over two prone women and to sell it on Craigslist,” according to the AP.

The “Triumph of Civic Virtue,” as the nearly 100-year old statue is called, is sexist says Weiner. ”I believe in art, I believe in public art…But that doesn‘t mean that we don’t have a right to say, forcefully, some art is simply offensive to us and we think it should go.”

What should the city “forcefully” do with the “simply offensive” statue? Weiner and City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-Jackson Heights) have the rosy solution: sell the thing on Craigslist to raise funds for the financially beleaguered city!

One sane New York City resident reminds us that the statue “is an allegory. This is a representation in the classical style.” The statue, which you can see above, depicts a burly male figure–“civic virtue”–triumphing over the twin-evils of vice and corruption, depicted as defeated women.

According to the New York Observer, the congressman’s office intended to prematurely place an ad on Craigslist yesterday evening to sell the statue. A copy of the ad, given to the Observer, appears below. It looks like the ad was placed on Craigslist yesterday, but has been “flagged for removal” since.

Sexist Statue for Sale

For Sale: 22-ton (sexist) marble “Triumph of Civic Virtue” statue by renowned sculptor Frederick MacMonnies.

Own a (tasteless) piece of New York City history! Triumph of Civic Virtue created by sculptor Frederick MacMonnies – the artist behind iconic figures such as the Quadriga in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza – is now up for sale for a limited time.

This controversial and offensive statue crudely depicts a young man with a sword triumphantly standing over the defeated bodies of two women. In 1941, then-Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia had the good sense to banish the figure from its initial location in City Hall Park.

Unfortunately, it ended up in Kew Gardens, where it remains to this day.

Now, community leaders want to see it go.

All proceeds from the sale of this sexist eyesore will benefit the city of New York. Shipping is not included.

The AP gives us some background on the statue: “The 20 foot high marble statue was designed by sculptor Frederick MacMonnies and unveiled in 1922 in Manhattan’s City Hall Park. Its allegorical portrayal of vice as female was even controversial back then and in 1941 it was moved to its current location near Queens Borough Hall.”

[BishopM 114]

One sane New York City resident reminds us that the statue is an allegory. This is a representation in the classical style. The statue, which you can see above, depicts a burly male figurecivic virtuetriumphing over the twin-evils of vice and corruption, depicted as defeated women.

This is the only voice of sanity in this article and is well said. Unfortunately, in today's world, 'Allegory' is too big of a word with too complex of a meaning for most literally minded induhviduals to conscientiously consider today.

The loss of allegorical interpretation is incredibly depressing and sad. . We risk losing our intellectual well-being without it...

Blessings - M

Edited February 27, 2011 by BishopM

[Peikko 1,575]

If those who ran for public office had to pass an intelligence test this sort of thing would never happen.

[Danno 1,228]

The part I find most sad is... there is so little real art in this country to begin with.

Q: What is REAL ART?

A: If Danno looks at it and suspects he could replicate it.... it's not art.

We have this popcorn-art every where now.

Even Robert Mapplethorpe knew the difference, just look at how his own home was decorated, as opposed to the stuff he sold to others.

[Peikko 1,575]

You don't find 'real art' on mass media Danno. Look in the right places and there is a lot of it about.

By the way, the ability to replicate something that has been done already is not a test of true art - if you knew something about forgery you'd know that

[Danno 1,228]

You don't find 'real art' on mass media Danno. Look in the right places and there is a lot of it about.

By the way, the ability to replicate something that has been done already is not a test of true art - if you knew something about forgery you'd know that

SO what you are saying is... "you" could replicate that marble statue?

If there are so many current examples of great art..., why not post a pic of a few examples from the city in which you now live.... something placed within the last few decades.

The first time I took notice of this Popcorn-art was when I was working in Philadelphia as a teen. There was a huge clothes pin at the entrance of the Betsy Ross Bridge ( I think that was the bridge).... I thought to myself; Is this really something that should be sitting at such visible place of the city.. and who would even pay for such a thing?

Over the years I have marveled at so called art which is no more than welded metal pieces or shapeless blobs of cement.

I fully understand tastes and interpretations vary.... but these pieces which rely solely on "interpretation" to have any meaning are nothing more than government sponsored therapy as most states have laws which demand that a few percentage of every public building be set aside for "art".... and so these uninspiring artist have a market.

Even even with all the ####### out there, we have a few worthwhile pieces of public art (sculptures) that come to mind.... at least they are not the typical eyes-sores which are usually are torn down in 2 decades anyway. (as most modern art and design is).

This one is at the airport.

NOW HERE IS A REAl "jem" of modern art which cost the tax payer a bundle no doubt.

They placed these huge discs along the new rail-line, things are so ugly it took me forever to find even one photo of one.

Just imagine someone not only designed this series of "discs" but submitted it.. and then as usual, the laymen on the planning board (or whoever) was afraid of appearing like a rube so he approved it.... now we have to "overlook" them as we commute.

Here is one of 4 sculpures at the center intersection downtown, each one is on a corner .....these actually have some historic meaning and I bet they will be around for a long time.... that big brass circular thing on the sidewalk, I am sure garners inspiration by many passerby's

Sometimes it's fun to imagine what the Statue Of Liberty or the Lincoln Memorial would look like if designed by todays crop of artists.

[Peikko 1,575]

SO what you are saying is... "you" could replicate that marble statue?

If there are so many current examples of great art..., why not post a pic of a few examples from the city in which you now live.... something placed within the last few decades.

The first time I took notice of this Popcorn-art was when I was working in Philadelphia as a teen. There was a huge clothes pin at the entrance of the Betsy Ross Bridge ( I think that was the bridge).... I thought to myself; Is this really something that should be sitting at such visible place of the city.. and who would even pay for such a thing?

Over the years I have marveled at so called art which is no more than welded metal pieces or shapeless blobs of cement.

I fully understand tastes and interpretations vary.... but these pieces which rely solely on "interpretation" to have any meaning are nothing more than government sponsored therapy as most states have laws which demand that a few percentage of every public building be set aside for "art".... and so these uninspiring artist have a market.

Even even with all the ####### out there, we have a few worthwhile pieces of public art (sculptures) that come to mind.... at least they are not the typical eyes-sores which are usually are torn down in 2 decades anyway. (as most modern art and design is).

This one is at the airport.

NOW HERE IS A REAl "jem" of modern art which cost the tax payer a bundle no doubt.

They placed these huge discs along the new rail-line, things are so ugly it took me forever to find even one photo of one.

Just imagine someone not only designed this series of "discs" but submitted it.. and then as usual, the laymen on the planning board (or whoever) was afraid of appearing like a rube so he approved it.... now we have to "overlook" them as we commute.

Here is one of 4 sculpures at the center intersection downtown, each one is on a corner .....these actually have some historic meaning and I bet they will be around for a long time.... that big brass circular thing on the sidewalk, I am sure garners inspiration by many passerby's

Sometimes it's fun to imagine what the Statue Of Liberty or the Lincoln Memorial would look like if designed by todays crop of artists.

No, I clearly said that the ability to replicate something does not automatically discredit it as 'art' - nor indeed does your personal opinion. Art is more than ornamentation. Whether it should be paid for out of the public purse and who decides on its value in monetary terms is a completely separate subject btw.

[Danno 1,228]

No, I clearly said that the ability to replicate something does not automatically discredit it as 'art' - nor indeed does your personal opinion. Art is more than ornamentation. Whether it should be paid for out of the public purse and who decides on its value in monetary terms is a completely separate subject btw.

I am not automatically against public funds for public art, I simply wish we could get through this phase of pretending things are "art" when such a conclusion could only be reached by a real stretch.

[Peikko 1,575]

I am not automatically against public funds for public art, I simply wish we could get through this phase of pretending things are "art" when such a conclusion could only be reached by a real stretch.

As I said, art for ornamentation is only one tiny portion of the entire visual art output. That you don't 'enjoy' non ornamental art is fine, but to make a value judgment on it because you don't appreciate or understand anything other than ornamental art is pointless. Again, I do understand that when it is something that is meant to enhance a public environment who controls the purse strings is important and to that extent you have as much right to an opinion as the next person, and I expect that in certain instances particular pieces such as the ones you have posted paid for and placed in the public domain are problematic and perhaps difficult to justify in financial terms. In those instances it probably is better to limit how much art that was never designed to be ornamental is placed in public settings but that does limit its value within the community, art is meant to be stimulating and challenging after all

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Haha replication as a definition for art...only on VJ.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Haha replication as a definition for art...only on VJ.

Yeah all those colour prints of famous paintings are as good as the real thing. And if someone photocopies the Mona Lisa, then obviously they are as talented as Da Vinci

[^_^ 5,021]

Again, I do understand that when it is something that is meant to enhance a public environment who controls the purse strings is important and to that extent you have as much right to an opinion as the next person, and I expect that in certain instances particular pieces such as the ones you have posted paid for and placed in the public domain are problematic and perhaps difficult to justify in financial terms.

I like that sentence.

[Peikko 1,575]

I like that sentence.

Because it's overly long and missing some necessary punctuation?

Edited February 28, 2011 by Madame Cleo

[^_^ 5,021]

Because it's overly long and missing some necessary punctuation?

I can't explain it. Just one of those things.

[Peikko 1,575]

I thought you were taking the piss, I'm still not sure that you are not.

It's one of my many weaknesses, convoluted sentences.