Many in the neighborhood were complimentary about the snow art with at least one exception. A local prude called in an anonymous complaint about "a naked snow woman". The complaint resulted in a cop showing up at Ms Gonzalez' door with the request that she either "cover up" the snow sculpture or take it down.
Maria Conneran with the snow Venus
Rather than demolish the sculpture, the Venus was covered-up courtesy of a bikini top and sarong. The add-ons accentuate rather than detract from the sexuality of the sculpture, making the otherwise tasteful snow Venus appear raunchy.
Ms Gonzales hit the nail on the head when she said: "I thought she looked more objectified and sexualized after you put the bikini on..."
The publicity over the snow sculpture cover-up speaks volumes. What is it with the weird anti-body puritanism that permeates parts of American society. Even a snow Venus isn't safe from prurient minds that see sleaze where others see art.
Such attitudes aren't unusual in the land of the free. When former Attorney General John Ashcroft showed up at the Justice Department he was offended by a semi-nude statue of the Spirit of Justice and requested it be covered. How repressed is that.
The European approach reflects a more progressive sensibility, even in the case of controversial exhibits. Check out a Peter Lenk sculpture in Bodman-Ludwigshafen that displays top German politicians and corporate leaders cavorting in the nude - here.
Ms Gonzalez and her family have had support. NJ.com mentions a visitor from N. Carolina named William Torres who agreed the statue should have remained au naturel. He said: "They’re censoring art. To me ... that’s no different from what you see in a museum ... and its lifespan was short anyway."
Reports on the story - BBC - UPI - ABC
