Odd Central Park Barbaro Memorial

[GenuineRisk]

Not defending, 'cause Daniel Edwards isn't really my thing, but I think the Brittany piece is attempting to say something about society's obsession with celebrities (though why he chose one who clearly pushes for the publicity, I don't know, unless he's trying to also say something about celebrities offering up their private lives for public consumption). Likewise the oh-so-classy bronzed Suri Cruise first bowel movement. The Hillary piece I think is trying to comment on how society doesn't regard powerful women as sexual. The Ted Williams thing, I have no idea. Whatever.

Maybe he should do a piece of himself sculpting the Barbaro piece, with a dresser nearby and people leaving money on it. Then he could say something about artists whoring for publicity.

Well, judging from the other pieces that have gone on display in Central Park South, most people will ignore it, and the kids will use it as a jungle gym.

[ninetoone]

The Suri turd doubles as a nice self-portrait for his collection.

[booner]

I don't like it.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Well, judging from the other pieces that have gone on display in Central Park South, most people will ignore it, and the kids will use it as a jungle gym.

I know what you're saying but the whole if we ignore it it'll go away thought... that can be a little dangerous, no?

Some people complain, call racing a dying sport. We wonder how to bring in new fans, how to change the way it's perceived.....

The only effects of this damned thing / statue / whatever will be a. to give the "artist" more press and b. to perpetuate the thought that racing equals cruelty.

A passerby who doesn't know, who has heard the name Barbaro but who didn't follow his long struggle... I think there's more of a chance they'll walk by, take one look at this thing and be swayed.

So yeah, we can ignore it but the more we don't take any chance to put it right, the longer we let verious groups talk about horse racing while we sit back and do nothing?

Well... it just seems like this would be the perfect opportunity to do something, anything.

I don't know what exactly..... a fundraiser for various thoroughbred retirement charities in the park the day before? Something like that? Something positive?

Forgive me for being in So Cal and not knowing off the top of my head which NY track is open then but a Meet Funny Cide day? (I'm just trying to think of possibilities here)

Some little boost to give racing some positive spin.....

Rambling... sorry. It just makes me sick.

[Danzig]

like they say, one mans trash is another mans treasure. i've seen plenty of 'art' that i would be hard pressed to acknowledge as such.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I know what you're saying but the whole if we ignore it it'll go away thought... that can be a little dangerous, no?

Some people complain, call racing a dying sport. We wonder how to bring in new fans, how to change the way it's perceived.....

The only effects of this damned thing / statue / whatever will be a. to give the "artist" more press and b. to perpetuate the thought that racing equals cruelty.

A passerby who doesn't know, who has heard the name Barbaro but who didn't follow his long struggle... I think there's more of a chance they'll walk by, take one look at this thing and be swayed.

So yeah, we can ignore it but the more we don't take any chance to put it right, the longer we let verious groups talk about horse racing while we sit back and do nothing?

Well... it just seems like this would be the perfect opportunity to do something, anything.

I don't know what exactly..... a fundraiser for various thoroughbred retirement charities in the park the day before? Something like that? Something positive?

Forgive me for being in So Cal and not knowing off the top of my head which NY track is open then but a Meet Funny Cide day? (I'm just trying to think of possibilities here)

Some little boost to give racing some positive spin.....

Rambling... sorry. It just makes me sick.

No need to apologize. I see your points, but, as many people on this board have said, racing doesn't need or depend on fans; it depends on gambling money, and, judging from many posts also on this site, many gamblers couldn't care less about the thrill of the sport; only on the odds of the races (I'm not criticizing, just observing- the comments from some of the DTers on the thread about Curlin coming back in '08 come to mind). So the sport will be in no danger from this, anymore than Christianity was threatened by Chocolate Jesus (not that that kept some right-wingers from throwing fits anyway).

I love horseracing for the thrill of it, but honestly, I'm not encouraging friends to watch the sport because I tire of my favorite horses being retired and rushed off to the breeding shed- I don't particularly want to share that disappointment. So, while I think the Barbaro statue is a stupid attempt to stir up controversy, I don't see it doing any damage to racing in any noticeable way. Racing does a fine enough job on its own insuring it stays a fringe sport to the casual fan. The statue won't affect that.

And honestly, to fully get it, the viewer will have to stop and read the little plaque that always accompanies the art at Central Park South, and frankly, I don't think the average American has the attention span. And the print is kind of tiny.

But like I said- good post, and good points. Generally, when I've had discussions with people who feel racing is cruel, I ask if they eat meat (usually the answer is yes), and then go into a graphic description of how feed animals are kept. That usually shuts them up.

[richard burch]

i think his art is amateurish at best.

but i would like to see the disclosure of breakdowns.

it is truly the worst part about horse racing.

[Riot]

But, do you want to support this law?

I think people that truely love animals should be very, very careful of the animal-related causes and organizations they support - if you want to retain the right to have animals.

This statue, and BarbarosLaw, is (my opinion) a blatant exploitation of a famous horse for no reason other than furthering an animal rights agenda (not animal welfare, and yes, those two concepts are entirely different) from people that want horse racing stopped. Note the phrases they choose to use, the accusations they throw at the Jacksons and New Bolton.

I'll bet "gallery co-director" David Kesting doesn't even know which end of a horse bites and which end kicks, let alone is able to recognize a horses' ass when he looks in the mirror.

From the www.barbaroslaw website:

Barbaro’s Law

The Memorial’s website, www.BarbarosLaw.com, provides an online petition urging Congress to pass a law that would arm consumers with the truth about the perils of horseracing by requiring racetracks to disclose race-related injury and fatality statistics. “Informed race patrons may choose to avoid contributing to the breakdown and destruction of racehorses by not buying a ticket or placing a bet,” said gallery co-director, David Kesting.

Barbaro A ‘Champion’ For Right to Die

Barbaro, the euthanized champion racehorse, is an emblem for the Right To Die and Death With Dignity movements in the monument scheduled for the Central Park unveiling in April. “The Barbaro Memorial for the Right to Die” by controversial sculptor Daniel Edwards is a tribute to the late Triple Crown contender and is dedicated to the institution of euthanasia, says Leo Kesting Gallery. Barbaro was euthanized after every option for saving him was explored, well into a painful existence.

“A suffering horse cannot call Dr. Kevorkian for an assisted suicide, because like Terry Schiavo, the ailing horse cannot speak for itself,” said gallery co-director, David Kesting. It was reported that in the end, Barbaro was biting at people before he was finally allowed to die with dignity.

”We believe a memorial dedicated to the Right to Die will encourage horse owners to forego their own self-interests and act mercifully on behalf of their suffering horse,” said gallery co-director, John Leo.

“If Barbaro has taught us anything, it is that horses deserve our compassion first.”

Barbaro, winner of the Kentucky Derby by the largest margin of victory since 1946, was considered a shoe-in for The Triple Crown and the English Derby, fuelling speculation his life was prolonged for the earning of stud fees.

Daniel Edwards’s previous bronze of a thoroughbred champ titled “The Last Triple Crown Winner,” is expected to be rededicated in Louisville, Kentucky this year in observance of the thirtieth anniversary of “Affirmed’s” achievement.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

its only a matter of time before rev al and his boys ..have a problem with it..

[Riot]

I couldn't find the location of the guys statue of Affirmed in Louisville.