Posted on 11/12/2001 9:45:29 AM PST by jalisco555
BOULDER — A controversial art display featuring 21 brightly colored ceramic penises was stolen Saturday from a domestic violence awareness exhibit at a public library.
The work, entitled "Hanging 'Em Out to Dry," was suspended from a clothesline. Someone removed the penises from the clothesline and replaced them with an American flag and a note with a joking reference to a bandit, city spokeswoman Jennifer Bray said.
The library was criticized this month when officials declined to hang a 10- by 15-foot American flag in the lobby, saying it was too big. A smaller flag was put there instead.
Artist Susanne Walker, who created the work, said the theft contradicts the values symbolized by the flag.
"It makes a joke of the pain and suffering involved in this exhibit. If you want to attack me or my artwork, then confront me with discussion," Walker said in a written statement hung in the gallery Saturday.
Police believe the theft occurred in the morning while the library was open. The exhibit is near an auditorium where a children's performance was held Saturday, and police hope someone might have witnessed the theft.
The exhibit, entitled, "Art Triumphs Over Violence," also includes paintings. It is sponsored by the Boulder County Safehouse, which shelters and supports battered women and children.
Many of the works were done by former abuse victims or their relatives.
The stolen artwork, which became a hot topic on talk radio, was placed in a corner, out of the direct view of people entering the library.
Officials also posted a sign warning people they might be offended by the display.
Nov. 9, 2001
Open statement to Marcellee Gralapp, Boulder, Colorado, Public Library's art director, and to the Boulder City Council
Ms. Gralapp:
Severed penis art doesn't make me feel welcome, and I'm a woman. Do you think it would make men or boys feel comfortable? Or aren't you being false when you speak of your objectivity and inclusiveness? Shame on you and your divisive fringe agenda. And shame on the Boulder City Council for funding this hate-art with taxpayer dollars.
(aka Havisham)
.
...and the response from Keith Richardson, Boulder City Council
Dear Citizen,
Thank you for your recent letter to the Boulder City Council. We understand your concern.
The art exhibit, titled "Art Triumphs over Domestic Violence," is sponsored by Boulder County Safehouse and was developed in connection to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The exhibit contains about 50 pieces, all selected for the show by Safehouse. It opened on Oct. 19 and will close Nov. 26.
The pieces for the exhibit were solicited by Safehouse and feature art created by survivors of abuse, their supporters and others who envision an end to violence everywhere.
This is not the first time nudes have been depicted at the Canyon Gallery. An exhibit ran for six weeks in the summer 2000 containing both female and male nudes. This exhibit received one complaint.
Although the current exhibit has been on display since mid-October, library staff received the first complaints about it on Monday. In response to the concerns, library staff have placed a sign in the gallery to warn patrons that the exhibit contains sexually explicit material.
The flying of a U.S. Flag in the library entrance was a separate issue. It has been addressed and flags are both inside and outside of the library facility.
Again, we appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
Keith Richardson
Boulder City Council
.
"The pieces for the exhibit were solicited by Safehouse and feature art created by survivors of abuse, their supporters and others who envision an end to violence everywhere."
.
Safehouse or Deranged-house?
.
'El Bandito' Strikes
Bob Rowan, who lives near Boulder, Colo., admits he stole an "art" exhibit, consisting of 21 ceramic penises in socks hanging from a clothesline, from the Boulder Public Library: "In full view of a few silent onlookers, Rowan plucked the 21 penises from the line, put them in a trash bag, and left a small American flag and a calling card: 'El Dildo Bandito was here,' " reports the Rocky Mountain News. "It was an act that would bring police to his house in the middle of the night, but it is not one he regrets." (We noted the exhibit, at a library whose officials worry that the American flag "could compromise our objectivity," last week.)
The News says Rowan "should find out today if he will be prosecuted," but we're with the InstaPundit.com reader who says, "The people who stole the penises in Boulder . . . were guerilla deconstructionist art critics!"
Viva El Bandito!
The Penis had nothing to do with the women getting assaulted. However, he was seen near the Boulder public library about the time the alleged "artwork" was stolen. Boulder Police have been notified to be on the look out for a giant 6' long penis. Batman has also been contacted. The penis has been known to frequent health clubs and adult theaters. Note: the Penis may appear smaller when he is not aroused.
BTW, I'm surprised that this was some Feminist hate-men agit-prop exhibit. I assumed it was a good natured celebration of the penis and its powers. Sort of like "The Puppetry of the Penis."
Circumcision is Mommy female is violence against males, right?
Circumcision is Motherhood female violence against males, right?
Nah, I'd rather just see it stolen and thrown in the garbage where it belongs.
Officials also posted a sign warning people they might be offended by the display.
Not anymore! BWAHAAHAA!
Yes, what a double standard. And from the standpoint of a woman may I say that this double standard is totally unfair and it stinks.
Now tht would be a good idea...unfortunately they were returned.
I had a piece of art stolen this summer, but for a better reason...It was whimzical.
: * )
I don't have to. My spies are everywhere! ;-)
And, it's pretty damn sad that MILLIONS in taxpayer dollars are funding these "DV" programs all over the country. What we should be doing is strengthening families, encouraging marriage and monogamy, touting responsible fatherhood, and condemning out-of-wedlock pregnancies. The majority of DV cases are comitted in fatherless homes (i.e..: by boyfriends or estranged husbands).
"[T]wo naked penis puppeteers stretch and twist their organs into such shapes as The Pelican, The Windsurfer, The Eiffel Tower, The Loch Ness Monster, and The Hamburger. A video camera projects their work onto a large screen on stage, for the folks in the back."
ROFLMAO!
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