The world has gone mad, but thank the Good Lord for the National Park Service.
A group wanting to bring construct a 45-foot-tall naked lady opposite of the Washington Monument on the National Mall was denied a permit by the National Park Service. The NPS expressed concern that the structure would detract from established historical monuments and possibly damage underlying turf.
NBC Washington reported:
A group that wanted to bring a 45-foot statue of a naked woman to the National Mall was denied a permit because it would detract from historic monuments and could damage the turf, National Park Service (NPS) officials said.”The proposed nearly 48-foot height of the statue introduces a visual element that would diminish the property’s significant historic features by altering the setting and historic character of the National Mall landscape,” NPS spokesman Mike Litterst said in an email.Organizers of Catharsis on the Mall wanted the R-Evolution statue to stand near the Washington Monument, facing the White House, for 91 days between November and March.The permit was denied Wednesday, Litterst said.
Catharsis on the Mall described their R-Evolution (a fantastically trite name, btw) project thusly:
From their crowdfunding pitch:
R-Evolution is Deja Solis, a woman standing in her strength and power… expressing her humanity; how she feels when she is safe, when she can just be. R-Evolution is the third in a series of three monumental sculptures, The Bliss Project, by artist Marco Cochrane conceived of in collaboration with model Deja Solis, these sculptures are intended to demand a change in perspective… to be agents for social change. They are intended to challenge the viewer to see past the sexual charge that has developed around the female body, to the person: to de-objectify women and inspire people across the world to take action to end violence against women, create space for women’s voices and demand equal rights for all, thus allowing everyone to live fully and thrive. Standing 45 feet tall, R-Evolution was first brought to Burning Man in 2015 by Marco, partner Julia Whitelaw, and the Bliss Crew, and with your help, we will install her in front of the Washington Monument, facing the White House.
“Don’t objectify women! But here, look at a statue of a naked woman!”…there is not an eye roll big enough for this one.
All of the obvious logical fallacies aside, there’s a more troubling issue here.
This is not a statue, it’s an idol.
Catharsis on the Mall planned to hold vigils at the statue and though it’s scarcely mentioned in reports, the permit request included room for a temple, according to NBC.
Crowdfunding pitch ctd:
Catharsis on the Mall is an annual vigil for healing where artists, activists, D.C. community, and passers-by, join together to let go, hold space, share, sing, burn a Burning Man-inspired temple, and dance until sunrise. All are welcome to this free public event. In its inaugural year, Catharsis focused on healing from the drug war, and last year, Catharsis highlighted Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the immediate wake of the election. This year, Catharsis has chosen the art theme “Nurturing the Heart,” and along with its partners, including Equal Means Equal, invites volunteers to continue the vigil to raise awareness about the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
Again I’ll say, thank the Good Lord for the National Park Service.
Follow Kemberlee on Twitter @kemberleekaye
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