Roadside blues

There's a new statue in town. First I'd heard of it, some woman was complaining over the phone at me.

"It's... it's indecent!" Such was the proclamation of a woman that I know and isn't usually reactionary. But I don't know how her tastes run and what the heck it is that she's really complaining about, so naturally I had to go check out the nude statue.

Yeah. She claimed that the nudity was offensive. Since I don't find "David" offensive, nor many of the other classical or neoclassical nude statues, I decided that I wouldn't take anyone's word on it. No, I'd have to go look at naked women. Such is my lot.

The statue represents unclad people: 2 female; 1 male, in a state of jubilation. The man and one woman are forming a "V," while the 2nd woman is held horizontally above them.

You might ask, "couldn't the artist present this same message another way?" Well, yes. But 1) It's not the point, and 2) The artist felt that this was the best way to deliver his message. It's a feelgood piece. Really. It's not quite spiritual, but close. The people are not embracing, kissing, nor involved in any other "lewd" act that might be considered even remotely sexual. People will not feel awkward (at least, they shouldn't) about answering the "what is that man doing with those women" questions.

The question: "Are nude statues offensive to the public?"

We'll skip artists' intent, as that can't be determined. The only thing we can gauge is audience response. 40 people showed up to discuss this statue (there's another protest next Thursday. Yours truly is now considering going to oppose, mostly due to the Mrs. backing up people opposed to the statue.)

People are not forced to drive in that area, which runs in the middle of nowhere. The statue is adjacent to a development that will probably have people in it soon, but they know what they're in for.

Honestly, being offended by the statue is like being offended by the presence of an overturned bowl. Worse, by removing the statue from it's position you deprive that area of the beauty and joy that the statue provides.

And, yes, I feel pretty strongly about this. So much so that I was prepared to counter-protest until I found out that the body that is protesting also ran around placing shirts on all the other nudes in the area. Grackle has a ton of statues, some in varying states of disrobedness. Also, their antics haven't amounted to any policy change as of yet. I'm still thinking of dropping by the city hall to give them a quick "thumbs up" on the statue, but it stays put regardless of what I do.

Now, before you start asking yourself if any statue of naked people could offend me, let me state that it is possible. Anyone that I consider an "artist" would be hard pressed to do so and keep self-respect, but it can be done. The work has to be obscene and not something that I'd show my kids.

That's another thing... this statue is in a roundabout, in a location that is difficult to get up close to without endangering yourself. You have to really want to inspect it. And cross traffic. What little there is.

I'm out.