There's a guy who doesn't like the statue called Tornado of Ideas. That little opinion piece came out in 2007. Apparently spending years gathering his resources, he started a Facebook group and a real life petition to get the thing removed a week ago.
The reaction on campus and around town is "huh?" The media reaction is "Tech Conservatives Angered by Statue!" or something similar. Major news outlets, mostly quoting the press release, talk about the group protesting and having a petition out.
Local news had them on TV. Great attention, I'll bet.
Here's what you don't read:
1) There's a counter petition and there were counter protests. Even a couple of counter FaceBook groups.
2) Real life signatures and online membership against the removal outnumber the "angered conservatives" by 10 to 1.
Now to clear some misconceptions about the work:
- Attempted sodomy depicted. Since I've actually seen the work, in my opinion it does not depict attempted or actual sodomy. This is a hot button word being used to get people exited. I've always seen it as the rider at the end of a chase, pinning down the quarry. Also, OMG LESBIANS! I'll have to admit I didn't notice this. I'll check it out and amend as needed.
- "New" YCT group. It's been pointed out that the YCT has been around a while, so there's nothing suspicous going on. As the work has been here since 2004, and the founder of this movement has only been disturbed by it since 2007, and has waited until 2010 to actually do something, I call shenanigans.
- The sculpture is supposed to represent America. I have no idea where this got started. According to Tech,
"Symbolically, the books within the sculpture represent the polarized ideas within the United States that fuel the energy of the tornado, according to the University Public Art Collection."
(see the rest here: http://www.dailytoreador.com/2.13436/controversial-culture-1.1837508)
So there was no nefarious plot to endorse the "liberaly-ness" of anything.
- B-but-but TAXPAYER MONEEE! Taxpayer money is used for a lot of things. It's used for a lot of things I don't agree with, too. This particular venture of public art started in 1998. The reason? To attract outsiders and get them to move here. And pay taxes and buy stuff. Business are given tax breaks all the time.
I wouldn't mind seeing more edifying and inspiring art in the world. It's great stuff. I also don't hide from things I don't like. Listen to your enemies - they have information your friends are keeping from you.
The stated mission of the Tornado of Ideas is to depict the energy created by vigorous debate. I say: Mission Accomplished.
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