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It's From Being Cooped Up During Those Long Winters
One of the nine beaver sculptures placed throughout Bemidji has been removed, apparently for not meeting community standards.City Manager John Chattin said he made the decision to have Gaea, a sculpture done by Deborah A. Davis of Blackduck, removed from its location at the intersection of Fourth Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue on Thursday. Gaea featured forms of the female body and natural elements including a tree and flower. The focal point of the front of the sculpture, located on the belly portion of the beaver, is a human figure rising from a sea of pinkish-red circles. Chattin said he had received 20 complaints about the sculpture. I dont know if it was complaint-driven, he said of his decision to have the sculpture removed. I didnt have an awareness of what was depicted on the sculpture prior to (Thursday.) Davis said the front of the sculpture shows Mother Earth praying and the circles are roses coming forth from those hands. I did not intend it to be sexual or titillating in any way, said Davis, noting she is a former kindergarten teacher and current ordained pastor who has counseled women and girls. I do fanciful women 100 percent of the time. I care about women, Davis said, noting that she considered how the sculpture would be viewed by children and others. I would never do pornography; I am anti-pornography. According to a description written by Davis, Gaea means Mother Earth. It also means God is Gracious, and is one of the 52 feminine aspects of God in the Christian Bible. Gaea in mythology was a female Titan. If we could embrace the strength of womaness, celebrate it, we would become the people we are meant to be: nurturing, loving, whole. A Facebook group, Bring back Gaea to the Bemidji Sculpture Walk! has been created and some supporters plan to address the city council Tuesday. Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-07-03 |
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