Photo by Justin Farrow
So this is the statue that’s been causing all the controversy. A few things to note:
- All of the images that I’ve seen on the internet do not show this view. Why?
- Note that the arm and leg are cut. What is the artist trying to say by doing this, and why has the media chosen not to show it? Or was the statue simply damaged during transport? Other photos show no evidence of the breaks.
- Britney Spears had nothing to do with this, save providing a well known public figure for the artist to create controversy around. The artist “admits to using references that include the wax figure of a pole-dancing Britney at Las Vegas’ Madame Tussauds and ‘Britney wigs’ characterizing various hairstyles of the pop-princess from a Los Angeles hairstylist.”
- I’ve read many remarks about this position being unnatural or uncomfortable for birthing. Guess again. This pose is not unusual for traditional birthing. Consider that the legs can be used to compress the belly area, assisting in the delivery process.
The sculpture is currently displayed at Capla Kesting Gallery in NYC.
There is a great discussion taking place on the Flickr page for the image displayed above.
If you’re hankering for some color photos of the pink plaster sculpture, check out Flickr user Jamfan2’s photoset.
Also, check out a podcast of an interview with artist Daniel Edwards. (via Boing Boing)
Other blogs reference this statue here | here | here | here
There have been many who believe this is an awkward, unnatural position for birthing. Please read my comment below.
hello. nice blog you have here.
in response to #1. With all due respect to the artist, this is a picture of a cast mold of the original piece. On press night, the original had not been brought down to show, as it was too fragile to move. The breaks in the legs and arms reflect the fact that it is just a cast.
I heard that traditional birthing was usually done while the woman was squating. I have never heard of them doing it this way. Nice blog though.
The statue is a disgusting and stupid choice of images geared toward a society growing more perverted and dim every day. Do we need to be educated about a bimbo’s ass? Or do we need to cure cancer, redeem the environment, and learn how to communicate properly so we can stop killing each other? Idiots! No original thinking, no worth or social value, just more of a moronic descension into the abyss. Don’t worry, you didn’t shock me; you only made me puke at the thought of you.
Our society sure and degrated into a all time low. People used to complain about Michelangelo’s art, and here we have way more graphic bad taste. Hillary Clinton’s bust is a bust. ick… could have done without that too.
I think that the face doesn’t look a whole lot like Britney Spears, but none the less, it’s a beautiful piece. I myself am an artist, but never thought of a pice of art based on the birthing process.
But I love it! It shows the ebauty of life, and the beauty of life bringing another life into the world.
So many people think it’s a disgusting thing, or something that shouldn’t be talked about or shown. But we as a society don’t try to hide the topic of sleeping, taking care of our children, do we? No, because it’s a part of everyday life. So why should we be ashamed of one more thing that is part of everyday life?
The only thing I wish could have been brought to the piece is that fact that childbirth doesn’t expect the mother to be beautiful. Childbirth is a very painful and traumatizing event to the body, and that should be expressed in the face.
But, otherwise, the piece is quite beautiful.
Megan,
What a refreshing relief to hear that some people actually think!
Thanks,
Roman
Art, in my opinion, is something not only to express an individual’s emotions or talent, but also something to spark conversation and controversy; to get people thinking and talking. If nothing else, this piece has managed this.
I think that it’s ingenious that the artist chose to portray not only a famous woman, but one that is so popular with a younger (and often ignored by the art community) demographic. What does it say about the viewer who comments on things like the fact that it’s “a bimbo’s ass” (no offence - it’s just an interesting point) or who thinks that trauma should be reflected in a woman’s face when she is passing something the size of a cantaloupe between her legs.
Questioning your initial responses and reactions to a controversial piece of art offers more of an insight into ourselves at one of our deepest levels rather than into an artist’s ability to recreate the act of birth in clay and plaster.
Thanks Stefanie. I’m glad someone has a grip on reality out there…
I would like to see the artist try to give birth like that. Do you really think someone would get in that position to give birth? Only a man would consider that art…
here’s the “problem” with the sculpture — it reduces childbirth to eroticism, equating the polychromatic colors of birth to simple sexual tones; it takes the one-on-one spiritualness of mother-to-child-to-God and smears it with the physicalness of uterous-to-fetous-to-vulva.
is it art? of course. is is beauty? again, yes. but in raw sexual passion, only. it is, also of course, cultural in its aspect. but it’s also meant to shock, to be controversial.
can artists who “create” controversy “really” be trusted? trusted to giving us “lookers” what he/she feels as a passion? trusted to give us something tangible, that makes us THINK rather than be titillated?
the piece, along with the “booby-hillary” belongs in an “adult” museum. you know, the place that’s “taboo” from “mainstream” culture. that place that should be hidden from the casual eye so as not to expose all our hidden hypocrisies to the bright glare of the all-seeing sun. this is what makes eroticism so REAL and passionate; its refusal to conform to “society.”
the “blatant-ism” of britney spears - and christina aguliera and others - cheapens the beauty of the young woman. the sculpture is just as cheap as the “real” thing. (but i WAS moved by it. or rather, IT was moved by it.)
rich
In response to the comment above about the position being “invented” by a man: the squatting position has been used for millenia by women to give birth. Perhaps you should investigate history before making assumptions. It is actually more likely that the position that you view as correct (on your back, legs spread, forceps, etc) was devised by a man.
Check these references on squatting to give birth:
The Center for Unhindered Living | StorkNet | iVillage | UK Midwifery Archives | About.com
Unknown, I’ve given birth in a very similar position TWICE. That’s why I was able to push out two large babies with minimal pain relief and no stitches required afterwards. And I came to that conclusion after being directly involved with over 100 births and seeing exactly what worked and didn’t work. And I listened to my body. Giving birth flat on your back on a bed is absolute lunacy.
WOW this statue is gross
I cant imagine britney like this now
The interesting thing about art is that it is individual. I think there have been many points of view offered here (and on other sites, etc). The father of 5 children, and having been there with my wife on all 5, I appreciate this piece by Edwards. My only critque, as was said before, would be to see more of the effort on the mothers part…not just in face, but also in the body. In observation, I don’t believe that there is hardly a muscle group that isn’t working hard, together, to push out that baby.
Realistically, there would be a lot more body stress every…from the vaginal area, to legs, shoulder, etc. But, from a sculptors point of view (at least from my personal sculptor opinion) to get it right, one would need a subject to view to get it right. Unless one’s wife was willing, that is a tall order to pull off! And of course, this doesn’t begin to discuss other difficulties that arise in lining up the timeline to be on hand to view or take pictures, etc.
While I certainly feel there is way too much immorality in the world, and a vast force out there to push that filth forward upon the entire population, I don’t feel that this piece of Britney is intended in any way to do that. In fact, I too feel it is a good pro-life piece. There are a lot of interesting angles to search out in this piece.
Would anyone change their opinion if this was simply of a non-celebrity? Would the message be any different?
My only mystery in this piece…what does the bear rug symbolize? Maybe there is an explanation out there I haven’t seen…
At any rate, well done, Mr. Edwards!
Amazing that you believe that the only “thinker” in this group is one that finds this atrocity artistic. Childbirth is, or at least should be and once was, a painful, difficult, exciting, loving, and very private act — you know, kind of like one’s sexuality used to be.
We live in an era of shock. This isn’t art, it’s simply a way to shock people for money. I must wonder why nobody seems to care at all about the children and what they’re taking away from the shocking things they’re constantly exposed to. Society used to consider it a responsibility to present a clean face, for the sake of its children. No more, unfortunately, and we see the results of that irresponsibility on a daily basis.
PS I’d like to know why some of you think this is an example of “squatting.” I think perhaps the public education system has failed miserably. Not only can some of you not spell properly, but you actually don’t know what the word “squatting” means. Look it up — this isn’t it.
Melissa,
The great thing about this world is that there are no absolute truths (save death and taxes, and even those are in question by some) and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Thank you for sharing yours. At then end of the winding road of our lives, after we’ve done all that we can to make it through this life, the question that we may ask ourselves is, “Who cares?”
R
PS. As a first generation immigrant, English is my third language. I spell better than most people born, raised, and educated in the United States. As far as the public schools, maybe you can thank the government for allocating more money for military spending than education. Judging from your conservative stance, perhaps you know you were at least partially responsible for putting those shameless villains in office.
PS 2. It’s true the statue isn’t in a squatting position. How observant of you. I suppose it would be kneeling, wouldn’t it.
PS 3. Historically, a fundamental facet of art is its intrinsic ability to shock the viewer. Not all art is intended to please the viewer. There were countless artists whose art met with the disdain of the general public. Perhaps this image might shock you out of your puritanical views, but will likely shock you deeper into the narrow hole you consider your mind.
PS 4. Have a nice day.
Roman:
Just happened to come across this site tonight, along with your response to my opinion.
One of us is indeed very narrow-minded, but it certainly isn’t me. My, you just think you’ve got me pegged through and through, and all because I commented that the demoralization of our society is not good for children. I work with children, many of them troubled children, and I know for a fact that children are being hurt by the constant exposure society affords them to ideas, words, and images that they are simply too young to handle.
I believe in responsibility. I’m also entitled to my opinion of what constitutes art, as is everybody. I think it’s a shame, however, that just because I don’t happen to like this piece and because I think society should shield its youngest members from adult images, you have decided that my mind is a narrow hole. Shame on you for your ridiculously narrow viewpoint. I certainly would never think of accusing you or anyone else of being, say, a mindless hack too lazy to think beyond what the media and your favorite celebrities tell you is the popular viewpoint, simply because you like this “art.”
You ought to try not to take things so personally, as well. I never accused you of misspelling anything. Actually, you spell quite well, and good for you being able to speak and understand three languages. Maybe that’s why you’re so narrow-minded; there’s no more room in there for any real thought or understanding.
PS Have a nice day.
Art is truly in the eye of the beholder, all our art is hand made in the US, much of our nude male statues and nude female
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can not discount this art as it is very well done, just can not see it on display in someone’s home. Art is in the eye of the beholder and we are sure it is just a monument.
Always remember American Freedom to express yourself
The sculpture would carry more validity and would gain my respect if it wasn’t based on britney spears. okay, you made an interesting and controversial piece about childbirth. art has always been forthright with sexuality. i think its a very interesting peice, actually. but to slap a celebrity name on it for exposure cheapens the value of the ‘art’ and makes the artist look like a sellout. first this, now suri cruise poop? i could have made that. this is the type of art that prevents more people from appreciating it. literally, crap with a nice title. the artist seems to have talent…why doesnt he use it?
You know, I went through some of these comments.
And you know what? Everyone who responded, you are doing exactly what the artist hoped you would do. React. Respond. Have an opinion.
Art isn’t about shock value, as much as some people here would like to claim. It is a form of communication. Regardless of what anyone believes this piece to be about, the artist has succeeded in making every individual posting here to THINK about it.
And for that reason, I applaud him.
I have seen all sorts of positions for birthing, this looks natural. It is an empowered stance for the mother to be taking, giving her control over the birth. If she had been flat on her back, its a stance of defeat.
As for the eroticism comments, I don’t see that.
I do wish however, that Daniel Edwards would do sculpture away from the stars. I think celebrities are given way too much attention when there are more important things to be focusing on in life. Perhaps that is part of Edward’s statement.
Either way, I think people need to stop being so repressed. Despite Freedom of Speech in this country, we are the most closed in, intolerant people on this planet. Travel. See the World. Stop thinking you know everything. LEARN.
-Proud Daughter of an Immigrant Family from Europe and Indonesia