Gigantic Offensive and Erotic Mermaid Sculpture to be Relocated from Public Display
The Big Mermaid statue, a 13-foot tall sculpture located in Dragør Fort, Copenhagen, is under threat of removal due to its controversial nature and perceived disruption of the fortification's military structure.
Created by Danish entrepreneur and artist Peter Bech, the statue was originally installed near the famous Little Mermaid sculpture in the heart of Copenhagen in 2006. However, it faced criticism and was moved to Dragør Fort in 2018.
The statue, which archs its back with breasts prominently displayed and head held high, has been a subject of debate since its arrival at Dragør Fort. Critics, including Sorine Gotfredsen, have argued that it "Erecting a statue of a man's hot dream of what a woman should look like is unlikely to promote many women's acceptance of their own bodies."
The Agency for Culture and Palaces, a sector of the Danish Ministry of Culture, oversees Dragør Fort and is responsible for approving any alterations. They have assessed that the installation of the Big Mermaid statue was unauthorized and have demanded its removal.
Despite the criticism, Peter Bech, the commissioner of the statue, has defended the sculpture. He argues that the mermaid's breasts are proportionate to its scale. However, the Agency for Culture and Palaces sees the statue as incompatible with the protected site at Dragør Fort.
The Big Mermaid statue is currently under the protection of the Danish Museum Act as Dragør Fort is a protected monument. The Danish government's decision to remove the statue from public view has been reported by The Art Newspaper.
Peter Bech remains opposed to the criticism and is actively fighting to keep the statue in the city. However, the exact responsibility for the statue's removal is unclear due to the ambiguity surrounding its ownership.
In summary:
- The Big Mermaid statue, commissioned by Danish entrepreneur and artist Peter Bech, faces removal from Dragør Fort due to its controversial nature and perceived disruption of the fortification's military structure.
- The statue was originally installed near the famous Little Mermaid sculpture in 2006 but faced criticism and was moved to Dragør Fort in 2018.
- The Agency for Culture and Palaces, a sector of the Danish Ministry of Culture, oversees Dragør Fort and has demanded the removal of the statue due to its unauthorized installation.
- Peter Bech, the commissioner of the statue, defends the sculpture but faces criticism from various quarters.
- The Big Mermaid statue is currently under the protection of the Danish Museum Act as Dragør Fort is a protected monument.
- The exact responsibility for the statue's removal is unclear due to the ambiguity surrounding its ownership.
- The Big Mermaid statue, a controversial 13-foot sculpture, faces potential removal from Dragør Fort, a protected monument in Copenhagen.
- Originally installed near the famous Little Mermaid sculpture in 2006, Peter Bech, a Danish entrepreneur and artist, commissioned the Big Mermaid statue, which has been moved to Dragør Fort in 2018.
- Despite its provocative design, which showcases the statue arching its back with breasts prominently displayed, the Big Mermaid statue has been under scrutiny, with critics arguing it doesn't promote women's body acceptance.
- The Agency for Culture and Palaces, overseeing Dragør Fort and responsible for approving alterations, has demanded the statue's removal due to its unauthorized installation, spurring Peter Bech to defend the sculpture and fight to keep it in the city, with the exact ownership responsibility yet to be clarified.
