# Vienna, Austria unveils a 2 million Euro statue that looks like a compilation of elementary-school art projects **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 30, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333 "2023-10-30T22:48:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/41 "2023-10-31T13:06:26Z")
I don’t love it, but I have seen a lot worse and my litmus test has always been that you need to see it in the flesh to truly come to an opinion. Its actual presence may be a redeeming feature. Also, I like the fact that artistic freedom throws up the odd monstrosity because it’ll _also_ allow the possibility for experimentation and risk-taking and items of real wonder. One that springs to mind is “[The Angel of the North](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_of_the_North)” . Controversial and much-criticised it has ended up being possibly the best £800k that Gateshead council ever spent. So I think we need to take the rough with the smooth. And count me in with those who do like the San Francisco fountain. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/42 "2023-10-31T14:49:59Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > How will you be able to tell? You win the thread, Sir. You guys sure that isn’t a tank trap from the war? ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/43 "2023-10-31T14:57:04Z")
Eh, give it a couple decades and it’ll probably be venerated like a Picasso sculpture or a Jackson Pollock “painting”. Coming in under budget though, in today’s world? That gives it a 10/10 in my book. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/44 "2023-10-31T15:45:53Z")
A really tall pile of poop with legs, no less! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/45 "2023-10-31T22:05:06Z")
For some reason, that made me think of the “Brady Bunch” episode where Greg Brady designed a house that had, among other things, a moat and drawbridge. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/46 "2023-11-01T06:20:56Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I think it is cool, I would like to paint it in colours. Many, discordant, bright colours: pink and glow-green and violet and orange and the like. > … Curiously enough the model of the fountain presented to the public a year earlier _was_ coloured. > **[Archivmeldung: Wiener Wasser: Jubiläumsbrunnen „WirWasser“ von GELATIN...](https://presse.wien.gv.at/2022/07/23/wiener-wasser-jubilaeumsbrunnen-wirwasser-von-gelatin-entsteht-in-favoriten)** > > GELATIN hat mit seinem Entwurf den künstlerischen Wettbewerb für den Wiener Jubiläumsbrunnen gewonnen. Der Brunnen „WirWasser“ besteht aus einem Figurenkreis, der das Brunnenbecken bildet und in dess... ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/47 "2023-11-01T06:46:37Z")
And I just wanted to paint Lady Liberty’s toenails. Good grief. The thing just kinda creeps me out. But the Giant Silver balloon dog (Koons) did too. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/48 "2023-11-01T07:10:58Z")
Aww. Are there geese with clothes? In Indiana, the big thing is [cement geese, wearing clothes.](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:570/0*bnE6AyzVJ-za6_3H.jpeg) Seriously, house after house. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/49 "2023-11-01T08:33:54Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I would like to paint it in colours. How about this for painted statuary: [![](https://voxeurop.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/bulgaria-monuments.jpg) ](https://voxeurop.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/bulgaria-monuments.jpg) > [@](#): > > On the morning of June 18 [2011] the citizens of Sofia woke to discover that during the night the soldiers on the monument to the Soviet Army, located in the centre of the city, had been repainted in the colours and capes of Batman, Superman, Santa Claus and other characters. I don’t see Batman in there, but there is Ronald McDonald, Captain America, the Joker, and four others I don’t recognize. Unfortunately, the local authorities removed the paint a few days later. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/50 "2023-11-01T08:57:14Z")
link to the article: > **[The superheroes of Soviet Sofia](https://voxeurop.eu/en/the-superheroes-of-soviet-sofia/)** > > In mid-June, anonymous artists repainted the Soviet soldiers on a war monument in Sofia as comic-book superheroes. Beyond merely irritating the authorities with the farce, the gesture raises the question of the relationship between power, art and... ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/51 "2023-11-01T10:11:27Z")
That is just my taste. Exactly what I would like to do to many other sculptures, if I had the courage. I will ask the Belgians about how to obtain an official permit to paint King Leopold II in colours. Let’s see whether they answer at all. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/52 "2023-11-01T13:45:02Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > Curiously enough the model of the fountain presented to the public a year earlier _was_ coloured. I like that version better. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/53 "2023-11-01T14:05:57Z")
Left to Right: ??? The Joker ??? Santa Claus Superman Ronald McDonald Captain America Robin Wonder Woman The blue-and-yellow guy might be Wolverine, but I am not certain. I have no idea who the yellow guy is supposed to be. Anybody know? ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/54 "2023-11-04T17:43:13Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And . . . um . . . I’m afraid I think the Caller has a point. > > [https://www.koer.or.at/en/projects/wewater/](https://www.koer.or.at/en/projects/wewater/) > > (Click on the picture in the article to see it larger.) Is that thing in the front two yarn balls or a butt? Not that two yarn balls can’t be art. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333/55 "2023-11-04T22:51:34Z")
I think the leftmost one is a toy soldier from Toy Story [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vienna-austria-unveils-a-2-million-euro-statue-that-looks-like-a-compilation-of-elementary-school-art-projects/992333.md?page=2)