The Statues Thing

[tomus42]

Although I'd agree that in principle we probably shouldn't bestow honours and monuments to people that have done horrible things, I'm wondering where does it end? Will any statues actually be left if we're judging everything by today's standards.

[tiggerblue10]

Museums may be a bit overcrowded.

[jno]

Sure. There are few out and out villains honoured, though imho that would include slavers, no matter how generously they gave away their blood money. But Rhodes is a marginal case, and I have no problems at all with Churchill having one.

And if the Bristol authorities had seen sense years ago, none of the current debate would be taking place.

I do wonder just how many people could name and describe the last five statues they’ve seen, though. I don’t think they’re nearly as important as people say.

[tomus42]

Perhaps the concept of statues itself is obsolete. It's quite a strange thing to have a model of a person standing on a plinth in a public place if you think about it.

[jno]

It dates from a time before photos - people might have portraits painted but nobody except visitors and descendants would ever see them. Nowadays everybody knows what everybody looks like. It may still be okay to commemorate those who genuinely go down in history, but who cares what Colston looked like? I wouldn’t even bother putting them in museums.

[woofgang]

Pretty much what Jno said.

[jim360]

We could have more statues of dogs.

https://imgur.com/gallery/ZhgtwPx

[royfromaus]

Let the community decide.


https://twitter.com/SirBasilBrush/status/1272243311621931009

[Peter Pedant]

jenning's dog ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennings_Dog

[woofgang]

I'd keep this one....only investigate the detail if you have got a massively strong stomach.
https://www.navs.org.uk/about_us/24/0/286/

[woofgang]

and if any of Dame Elizabeth Frink's statuary requires protective custody then give me a ring https://www.newwestend.com/horse-rider-by-dame-elisabeth-frink-unveiled-on-bond-street/

[pixie374]

I think it's a bit obsolete to have individual people. Especially nowadays, where there is so much more information around. I can't think of a single person that everybody in the country would agree to celebrate, so maybe statues that are representative instead. Or none.

[woofgang]

I agree Pixie...I like the idea of statuary that represents ideas

[CrapAtCryptics]

"And if the Bristol authorities had seen sense years ago, none of the current debate would be taking place."
I have posted this before but the Bristol offered a petition a while ago and only 2% voted for the statue to be removed. Since when do we condone the small violent vocal minority choosing our direction.

[woofgang]

2% of those who voted or 2% of the population? I would argue that if you don't vote then you don't care.

[pixie374]

How many voted for it to be there?

[Spicerack]

It's very good of you, jno, to come to this country and allow us to keep our statue of good old Winnie.
May I prostrate myself before you and humbly thank you, on behalf of the indigenous gammons of this country, for such a magnanimous gesture.

[retrocop]

I qouted the 2% figure about a week ago and was corrected.
I am now informed that 56% of those who answered a democratic vote elected for the statue to remain. 44% wanted it removed. 12% is a slim majority but that's the democracy and freedoms we enjoy.

[naomi24]

//I would argue that if you don't vote then you don't care. //

That I presume would mean that in the event of a low vote for change the status quo would be maintained. Would you apply that to any other public vote - a general election, a referendum .... you know the kind of thing.

[pixie374]

Fair enough, retro, thank you. It did seem odd to do a poll... "who doesn't want...?"

[pixie374]

A 100% response is quite staggering though :-)