Whatever compelled this guy to make this, I don’t know but damn I love it. The quote at its base reads: “A device to root out evil.” Given my religious upbringing and my subsequent rejection of this indoctrination, I felt that at the very least this statue is controversial…which I like. Dennis Oppenheim made the sculpture, I’ll shake his hand one day.
In 2008 it was removed from its conspicuous home in Coal Harbour Vancouver, people were flustered…upset by its message. They complained and now it’s gone. It’s in Calgary now. This sculpture is awesome, I love it and I’m sad to see it gone. Though I do feel happy that it has a new home where people will appreciate it. Maybe you’ll see it there in Calgary.
Now I live in Coal Harbour, Vancouver where it used to be and I miss it. It’s been replaced by well… something less controversial. But you know what? I’m sure glad to remember it and I guess that’s the purpose of memory –
we can always enjoy something great even when it has passed.