Jul 25, 2009 10:51 pm US/Eastern
Nude Bronze Statues Spark Outcry From Parents
DELRAY BEACH (CBS4) ―
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A group of anatomically correct statues in Delray Beach is getting a rise out of some parents.
CBS
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and several pieces of artwork on display in Delray Beach, are getting an eye popping response.
That's because the statues are baring it all.
And their nudity is causing parents to question whether their location outside Addison Plaza shopping center, near an elementary school, is an appropriate place for the piece of art.
The opinions are mixed.
"I think the male figure might be offensive to some people," commented Helaine Levine as she passed the bronze statues in the Addison Plaza off Jog Road.
The statues called "Journey to the New" depict a nude family making an exodus from Russia and Ethiopia to Israel. The anatomically correct figures have led to a lot of pointing and staring.
"When I see them, it doesn't bother me," said Angela Bulone, a plaza worker, compared it to Michelangelo's masterpiece. "I think of David in Italy."
"This is nature. This is the body. So, I think it's nothing vulgar about it," Jennifer Pasquet, a plaza worker, said.
But Linda Austin said she purposely takes another route when walking with her 6-year-old.
"He's gonna have questions," Austin said. "I don't think he's ready for that."
18-year-old Taylor English was taken aback when she saw the frontal view.
"From the other side, it's not so bad. But now that we see it from the front, maybe they could take this one out," she said referring to the father in the group.
The statues are prominently displayed on the road that leads to the Morikami Park Elementary school and some parents are bothered by the provacative statues. Some have threatened to lodge complaints with code enforcement.
The statues – titled Journey To The New – were created by artist Itzik Asher.
The statues have appeared at the Palm Beach International Airport, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and at Mizner Park in Boca Raton.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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