Might As Well Jump
More News From the World of Sculpture
I realize that art has a higher purpose than just matching the sofa, the best of it inspires, like our friend David, or it makes you think, but seriously, what the hell were they thinking? How could you unveil a statue of a woman splattering on the pavement in NYC and not anticipate that a few people might find it offensive. The pain is still too fresh and raw.
from CNN
9/11 memorial statue covered after complaints
�Tumbling Woman" was removed Wednesday from Rockefeller Center in response to complaints.
NEW YORK (AP) -- A statue of a falling woman -- designed as a memorial to those who jumped or fell to their death from the World Trade Center -- was abruptly draped in cloth and curtained off Wednesday because of complaints that it was too disturbing.
"We apologize if anyone was upset or offended by the display of this sculpture. It was certainly not our intent. The piece will be removed this evening," said Suzanne Halpin, spokeswoman for Rockefeller Center.
Eric Fischl's bronze, "Tumbling Woman," depicts a naked woman with arms and legs flailing. It went on view about a week ago in the lower concourse at Rockfeller Center and was supposed to remain on display through Monday.
Numerous news photos captured images of desperate people leaping to their deaths as the 110-story towers burned.
Some passers-by in Rockefeller Center complained that the sculpture was too graphic.
"The sculpture was not meant to hurt anybody. It was a sincere expression of deepest sympathy forthe vulnerability of the human condition."
�Sculptor Eric Fischl
"I don't think it dignifies their deaths," said Paul Labb. "It's not art. It is very disrupting when you see it."
Some onlookers said there is a need for art that captures the horror of September 11.
"I don't think that it's done in bad taste," Christine Defonces said before the statue was covered. "It's an artist's reaction to what happened."
"The sculpture was not meant to hurt anybody," Fischl said in a statement. "It was a sincere expression of deepest sympathy for the vulnerability of the human condition. Both specifically toward the victims of Sept. 11 and toward humanity in general."
