Political CHIPS - Conservative Heritage Institute for Principled Strength

About That Headless, Bare-Breasted Statute in the Overland Park, Ks. Arboretum

It's not a question of what; it's a question of where.

arboretum (n.) - a facility where trees and shrubs are cultivated for exhibition.

The Overland Park arboretum is not an art museum. This sculpture needs to be removed, and the Parks Board members who approved it taken to task for their calloused judgment in this matter.

From Heather Staggers & Laura McCallister at KCTV5:

"A statue at the Overland Park Arboretum and
Botanical Gardens is raising some eyebrows - some even say it has no
place in the park. One mother has started a petition to get a
particular sculpture removed from a public park because of its nudity.
But some disagree and say art should not be censored...

The sculpture titled Choice
is part of an international art exhibit. The artist is from China.
Eleven pieces were donated as a gift to the arboretum but, gift or not,
Hughes wants it gone."

Mary Sanchez at my long ago employer agrees this bronze sculpure is art, and those who don't appreciate it are unrefined rubes in need of 'art appreciation classes.' Or something. But Mrs. Sanchez is missing an important message when she recommends art appreciation classes in response to this kerfuffle.

I do agree that most folks have only a passing knowledge of art. For instance, Da Vinci's 'Lisa,' or Monet's 'Water Lilies,' or Venetian tapestries. Those works were the pinnacle of many artists' skill and craft which paid homage to God's Creation in form and substance, sweat and ingenuity.

And the semi-nude human forms seem to be the most famous reference with the general public: Botticelli's Venus depicts worship; Micheangelo's David honors perfection; the Venus De Milo like an awkward moment with your big sis in a hospital gown; Da Vinci's Vitruvian man is a solution to an anatomical puzzle. All of 'em are in museums or books, and none are all that tittilating.

I've seen the bronze statue at the OP Arboretum. It's a disjointed, partially clothed female body that's devoid of a head depicted photographing 'her' exposed breasts. It's intended to be a social commentary about the anonymous 'sexting' world that many teen girls debase themselves. I liken this bronze conglomeration to a virtual thumb in the eye of the beholder. It maybe a vivisectionist's wet dream, but I find it unappealing.

I surmise that if the artist was a known Conservative, I am quite certain this vivisectionist's wet dream would fall into the dreaded 'war on women' melee, about which all the loon toons scream.

The people who've signed this petition to remove this 'art' from the Overland Park, Ks. arboretum are probably weary of the persistent 'in yer face' sexual assault on their senses, especially in the serene expanse of an arboretum - a facility where trees and shrubs are cultivated for exhibition.

Again, it's not a question of what; it's a question of where.

(click here to sign the removal petition, then scroll to the bottom for the link)

Tags: Plain Speaking, closer to home

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Comment by Missey Smith on June 3, 2012 at 11:17pm: Overland Park, KS ‏@opcares

Come to "Arts & Rec. Foundation Exec Mtg" Tuesday, June 5 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm....

Comment by Sally on May 31, 2012 at 2:29pm: Oh - I notice Donna Owens' name - wife of KS Sen. Tim Owens, soon to be replaced. He's the one largely responsible for the mess the state is in over the redistricting maps, to name one of his "acts of terror" against the people. Ignorance and poor judgment must run in the family.

Comment by Joanne Hughes on May 31, 2012 at 1:34pm: Councilmember David White arrived 20 minutes after the meeting started, so he was the missing 12th member and may or may not have been there for this item. See Sept. 12, 2011 minutes: http://apps.opkansas.org/City-Government/Agendas-and-Minutes/#Sep2011

Half of these individuals are up for re-election in April 2013. I looked at when this 4-yr term started...only one of the OP councilmembers had someone run against them in 2009 (see http://www.jocoelection.org/archives/Results/unofficialfinalresults...). Any OP Resident here want to run for Council? :)

Comment by Christina Blair on May 31, 2012 at 11:39am: Ok, so by name:

Dan Stock - Council President

Terry Goodman

Fred Spears

Dave Janson

Donna Owens

Paul Lyons

Richard Collins

Jim Hix

Terry Happer Scheier

Curt Skoog

David White

John Skubal

10 out of 12 are men, just saying!

Comment by Yvonne Starks on May 31, 2012 at 11:29am: Joanne....who was not present? You could contact....and especially those reading this who are in that council member's district, should follow up with a contact and get their "opinion" on this matter....and you know, maybe even some 'help' to get this statue moved......(time for my cynical 'uh huh').......

Don't let one detail go unscathed. :)

Comment by Joanne Hughes on May 31, 2012 at 7:45am: I completely agree. The petition is not calling for the destruction of it, but just removing it from a family-friendly venue. I've seen your comments here and there on this story...thank you!

AFA did a little research...11 of the 12 councilmembers were present for the approval of this. It was approved by all present.

Comment by Christina Blair on May 30, 2012 at 2:34pm: Here is some more info:

I need help to get as much pressure as possible on the City Council to remove this sculpture. I'm asking individuals/organizations to write letters to the Councilmembers and Mayor to:

Governing Body

City of Overland Park

8500 Sante Fe Dr

Overland Park, KS 66212

or email the governing body at governingbody@opkansas.org.

Comment by locomotivebreath1901 on May 30, 2012 at 2:29pm: Amen. Well said, Sister.

Comment by Christina Blair on May 30, 2012 at 2:18pm: I posted this petition on my facebook page last week, thank you (locomotivebreath) for posting this again! This makes me very angry. I go to the Arboretum all the time, well not now!

Art my a#$, lets just call this what it is a chopped up, headless, woman with her breasts hanging out. This DOES NOT belong in the Arboretum and I find it very offensive in many ways and for the secret board members who approved this sculpture - SHAME ON YOU!

Please sign this petition and send around. Thank you!

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