Our friends in London have new delight… appropriately close to where Tyburn Tree stood, near Marble Arch.
From ihorror.com:
There’s a new statue on public display in London that is meant to “inspire” and “delight” those who pass it on their daily commute, though we’re thinking words like “terrify,” “horrify” and “petrify” are more fitting for this particular piece of art.
It’s called ‘She Guardian,’ and Russian artist Dashi Namdakov has spent the last two years sculpting the towering figure out of four massive tons of bronze. Measuring 36-feet high, the artist says the attention-grabbing piece expresses a sense of maternal protectiveness, which we totally understand.
But here’s the thing. IT’S A FLYING DEMON DOG FROM HELL.
With wings, cloven hooves, and a set of fangs that would make Dracula jealous, ‘She Guardian’ looks like the sort of creature you’d expect to see guarding the gates of Hell, and perhaps even being ridden around by Satan himself. The sculpture is downright nightmarish, and I’m not sure I’m inspired or delighted.
But Councillor Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, insists that is the intended reaction.
“Marble Arch is our prime location for which we only use the best possible work,” said Davis. “Hopefully this piece will inspire and delight in equal measure.” [?]
Check out a few photos of ‘She Guardian’ below, and let us know what you think. Thanks to Now. Here. This. for bringing the statue to our attention.
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Soon people will just be numbed by it… get used to another image of something hellish.
But wait! There’s more.
Let’s go over to Breitbart for additional information.
‘MIGRANTS RUINED MY FEMINIST STATUE’ SAYS LONDON ARTIST
Russian artist Dashi Namdakov has expressed disappointment that his new installation by London’s Hyde Park has become a refuge for London’s vagrant migrant community. [Like the really ugly statue of John Paul II in front of Rome’s train station. HERE]
Namdakov is reported to be “upset” and “disappointed” to see pictures of the statue being used as a shelter and makeshift bed, and his son told the Evening Standard they had hopes Westminster council would be moving the migrants on: “It is obviously an unfortunate situation but we are hoping it will not be for too long and it can be sorted out”.
One of the migrants using the statue was bullish in his defence of their presence, telling the paper: “We are not stopping people from enjoying the sculpture. We are just here. We are looking for homes and jobs but this is where we will be. We aren’t moving”. He said his friends thought the marble base “comfortable” and convenient, as it provided them with shade from the sun. [LOL!]
The statue itself was unveiled last month and drew immediate comments about its demonic appearance – despite purportedly being symbolic of female strength and a desire to care for the young. [CARE FOR the young? More like DEVOUR the young! This could be Moloch’s sidekick!] London events blog Now Here This reviewed the installation as “London’s most terrifying new statue”, with Time Out’s art editor remarking “It’s Rodin meets Ridley Scott, in a bad way”. [Best line in the piece.]
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The next time I am in London, I think I’ll take some Holy Water if I go anywhere near Marble Arch.
This reminds me of the chapter in Voyage to Alpha Centauri by Michael D. O’Brien. (UK LINK HERE) in which the people have a ceremony in honor of the hideous stuff they find on the planet.
UPDATE 11 June:
In my voice mail, J from Philadelphia reported that in 2008 the London Institute of Contemporary “Art” set up a huge statue of the Assyrian god/demon (in the movie the Exorcist). HERE It’s as if someone is “marking” the city with hell dog demon piss. Photos HERE.
