UPDATED French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

#1

UPDATED French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/16/14 at 11:25pm

The sculpture, entitled "Tree" by its creator, American artist Paul McCarthy, has been erected as part of a temporary public art exhibition. McCarthy says he doesn't understand the controversy surrounding his sculpture of a Christmas tree.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2796134/mon-dieu-parisians-claim-city-humiliated-24ft-sculpture-resembles-massive-sex-toy-artist-insists-s-meant-tree.html

http://gawker.com/french-uptight-over-24-foot-parisian-butt-plug-1647357823


Update: Vandals have caused the tree's deflation. See post below.

Updated On: 10/24/14 at 11:25 PM

#2

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 12:44am

I love McCarthy and anybody who objects to this tree should, in the words of Arthur Fonzarelli, sit on it.

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#3

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 1:28am

I think he's just using the controversy to plug his sculpture.

#4

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 3:42am

Well, it's an ugly piece of art either way.

#5

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 3:57am

Those Parisians need to stop being so anal and loosen up.

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....but the world goes 'round

#6

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 5:53am

Yeah , if they all relaxed a little, they might actually enjoy the piece.

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Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!

#7

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 7:15am

tazber and SNAFU - Your comments made me laugh, thank you.

#8

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 10:29am

looks like a giant butt plug
sorry - it is hideous.
Christmas tree was not the first thing that came to mind.

Right Snafu...it's so big that they only way you can enjoy it is to relax!

I want to see an elf perched on top of it with a big smile.

#9

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 10:52am

Bring it to NY

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Poster Emeritus

#10

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 11:24am

It's not easy being green.

Imma gonna butt out of this thread least a fissure develop and people start walking funny.

#11

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 12:44pm

It's hideous, to be sure.

But then, look at what they did to the Louvre. And that monstrosity called Le Centre Pompidou.

Nowadays, anything beautiful or pristine has a target on its back.

#12

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 1:11pm

Such as you, when you retired from film at the dawn of talkies?

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Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#13

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 1:11pm

...am I totally naive in thinking it looks like a piece from a board game more than anything else?

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"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#14

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 1:52pm

After Eight, I assume you are referring to that hideous Pyramide de Louvre that they put up, but what of Le Centre Georges Pomidou? Are you referring to Horizontal by Alexander Calder? I actually don't think it's too bad and blends well enough with the style of the Structural Expressionism of the facade, unless you are referring to the architecture of the building itself, which is very interesting, though not particularly attractive.

Updated On: 10/17/14 at 01:52 PM

#15

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 2:12pm

^

Yes, the Pyramide du Louvre.

As for le Centre Pompidou, the whole ugly thing.

#16

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 2:41pm

Yes I agree that the Pomidou is much more interesting than it is beautiful, though I have never been to Paris and cannot say how it looks in person. I will take your word for it that it is ugly up close.

#17

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 3:49pm

So nice of this to see the light of day for a change!

Strange on which comments the mods decide to delete from this thread.

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Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!

#18

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 3:57pm

Mme ______ probably got her panties in a French twist over this art.

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Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#19

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 4:02pm

Thank god for Brian07663NJ's post!

#20

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 5:30pm

It needed the Brisplanation! Because that's what you're saying he did in case people didn't get that.

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Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#21

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/17/14 at 5:59pm

I guess those people would need a video of the sculpt in "tree vibrate" mode.

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Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!

#22

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/18/14 at 12:08pm

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/10/18/1413632474020/d69d5ee4-6bc6-447c-a85c-f67cd074f23d-460x276.jpeg



Vandals cut the Tree's support cables, causing it to tip over. Authorities then deflated it to prevent further damage. It will be re-inflated. Meanwhile, artist Paul McCarthy has admitted the sculpture was inspired by both a tree and a butt plug and says he has been slapped in the face several times in Place Vendome by angry non-fans.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-sex-toy-sculpture-deflated-after-vandals-cut-cables-on-controversial-christmas-tree-9803514.html

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/18/sex-toy-sculpture-paris-vandalised

#23

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/18/14 at 4:08pm

I love Paul McCarthy.

I bet Mrs. _____ would slap him.

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Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#24

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/18/14 at 4:13pm

This is all just so...French.

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"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

#25

French public objects to sculpture of a tree in Place Vendrome

Posted: 10/18/14 at 5:40pm

In case anyone thought the resemblance to a butt plug was accidental I present McCarthy's installation from last year:


"Complex Pile"

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....but the world goes 'round