Author Topic: Offensive Deity Statues (Read 32058 times)

Lokabrenna · « **on:** July 05, 2012, 09:17:18 pm »

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-cat-woman-black-statue-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-heroes-images/herne-plaque-US-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos-god-statue-US-WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/diana-huntress-US-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

monsnoleedra · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2012, 09:35:26 pm »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62858

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-cat-woman-black-statue-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-heroes-images/herne-plaque-US-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos-god-statue-US-WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/diana-huntress-US-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

I agree I despise the Diana / Artemis one. I have a number of Artemis / Diana statues but that one turns me off. Especially the modern renditions of her in the nude or nearly nude.

I am curious as to why you think the Bast statue is so bad. Yes, I actually have a version of that statue but not quite so heavy in the gold leafing. That she is depicted as black really is not a racical thing if one looks to the area and the influences of the Upper Kingdom upon the lower kingdom and middle kingdom. Nor is it greatly that different from other statuary that depicts Bast in her human form. In many ways not that different from her human / feline headed form either though those (fully human and Feline head human body form) seem rarer than her typcial complete cat form.

veggiewolf · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2012, 09:40:43 pm »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62858

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-cat-woman-black-statue-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!
...

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

I don't think it is racist BUT I really don't like it; it doesn't ring true. Of course, my Bastet figure is a faience cat.

Lokabrenna · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2012, 09:58:01 pm »

Quote from: monsnoleedra;62861

I am curious as to why you think the Bast statue is so bad. Yes, I actually have a version of that statue but not quite so heavy in the gold leafing. That she is depicted as black really is not a racical thing if one looks to the area and the influences of the Upper Kingdom upon the lower kingdom and middle kingdom. Nor is it greatly that different from other statuary that depicts Bast in her human form. In many ways not that different from her human / feline headed form either though those (fully human and Feline head human body form) seem rarer than her typcial complete cat form.

It just strikes me as particularly sexual when every other statue I've seen of her is modest in comparison, especially when you compare it with the other statues of her on that website, like this one: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/bastet-large-standing-cc-bronze-TL-1150.jpg

I guess it's still not as bad as that Diana, or this one: http://www.sacredsource.com/images/ds.jpg Okay, I admit I find this one....aesthetically pleasing....but it's just....just....artistic license can only go so far!

monsnoleedra · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2012, 10:50:20 pm »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62865

It just strikes me as particularly sexual when every other statue I've seen of her is modest in comparison, especially when you compare it with the other statues of her on that website, like this one: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/bastet-large-standing-cc-bronze-TL-1150.jpg

I guess it's still not as bad as that Diana, or this one: http://www.sacredsource.com/images/ds.jpg Okay, I admit I find this one....aesthetically pleasing....but it's just....just....artistic license can only go so far!

That's one of the more traditional Half-human Bast statues, especially the inclusion of the Sistrum (Shesheset) in her right hand. The Shesheset having erotic or fertility connotations with Bast and other goddesses as well. Yet if you look at this one http://www.goddessgift.net/images/bastet-standing-gold-black-PT-8104.jpg The breast are apparent though not as in your face as the intial one of this thread. Other statuary going so far as to display an infant suckling upon the breast of Bast, that one pretty rare.

The Diana / Artemis ones seem to have really jumped into the full nudity portrayals. Yet I truly think a lot of that is owed to the many classical paintings of Diana bathing and the story of Actaeon (Ok, depends upon which historical period and which historian as to whether it is Artermis or Diana in the story). Yet prior to that it's seldom a nude Diana / Artemis less it be a single breast displayed as was believed to show or indicate the Amazons.

Edited to add: Just a side note but the one image shown on that site with a dressed Bast http://www.goddessgift.net/images/Goddess%20Bastet%20w%20Kits.jpg is actually based upon a might be a semi-nude statue piece which can be seen on this site. There appears to either be arm bands or the cuff of a sleeve being shown if you blow up the picture. I haven't found any better pictures of the image so can't say for sure. Yet the overlap of a garment seems missing on the image. http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/bast.html

SatAset · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2012, 11:14:29 pm »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62858

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-cat-woman-black-statue-PT-8857.html

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

The Bast statue is okay. I don't like Her pose though. It does look kinda sexual to me. I would not get this statue personally. I don't think it is racist. I just...don't like the statue.

I strongly dislike this statue of Frigga. It's overly sexual and just inappropriate for the Queen of Asgard, Lady of Fensalir and Goddess of the Hearth and Home. Scandinavian Gods are from cold climates. Depicting them in skimpy garb just seems disingenuous to me.

Here is the link: http://www.goddessgift.net/frigga_norse_goddess_by_Derek_Frost_PT-8427.html.

Lokabrenna · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2012, 11:51:14 pm »

Quote from: SatAset;62870

I strongly dislike this statue of Frigga. It's overly sexual and just inappropriate for the Queen of Asgard, Lady of Fensalir and Goddess of the Hearth and Home. Scandinavian Gods are from cold climates. Depicting them in skimpy garb just seems disingenuous to me.

Here is the link: http://www.goddessgift.net/frigga_norse_goddess_by_Derek_Frost_PT-8427.html.

One of my Facebook friends has that statue. They posted about it in one of my groups and we spent time arguing over whether it was Frigga or Freyja (if you look at the bird on the left, it seems to be a falcon) so we finally concluded that the artist must have mixed them up or conflated the two.

Juniperberry · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2012, 02:06:21 am »

Quote from: SatAset;62870

The Bast statue is okay. I don't like Her pose though. It does look kinda sexual to me. I would not get this statue personally. I don't think it is racist. I just...don't like the statue.

I strongly dislike this statue of Frigga. It's overly sexual and just inappropriate for the Queen of Asgard, Lady of Fensalir and Goddess of the Hearth and Home. Scandinavian Gods are from cold climates. Depicting them in skimpy garb just seems disingenuous to me.

Here is the link: http://www.goddessgift.net/frigga_norse_goddess_by_Derek_Frost_PT-8427.html.

Oh, I don't like that at all because it isn't sexy enough. The way her legs just flop apart reminds me of Angelina's right leg; both just miss the mark of graceful seduction.

(Is nitpicky.)

Eta: A second look wasn't as bad as my first impression, but still.

SatAset · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2012, 02:30:48 am »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62871

One of my Facebook friends has that statue. They posted about it in one of my groups and we spent time arguing over whether it was Frigga or Freyja (if you look at the bird on the left, it seems to be a falcon) so we finally concluded that the artist must have mixed them up or conflated the two.

Both Frigga and Freyja have a falcon cloak. And Frigga is associated with birds (more heron and marsh birds, iirc).

Yeah. That seems likely.

Etheric1 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2012, 02:39:16 am »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62858

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-cat-woman-black-statue-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-heroes-images/herne-plaque-US-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos-god-statue-US-WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/diana-huntress-US-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

I don't have a problem with the Bast one. In fact, I think it's actually pretty good. Is it being a bit on the risque side? Yes. But that's about how I'd picture her. I've seen plenty of cats that seem like if they were people, they would be complete whores and are all about showing off to get affection.

SkySamuelle · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2012, 02:53:39 am »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62858

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-cat-woman-black-statue-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-heroes-images/herne-plaque-US-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos-god-statue-US-WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/diana-huntress-US-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

I quite like the Bast one and it seems appropriate for a goddess connected with sex and pleasure, among other things.

Cernunnos... I would imagine Him 'rougher' but I wouldn't say it rings particularly inappropriate.

Diana's statues, on the other side - those strike me as all wrong, since She's a notoriously caste goddess and one who punished severely those who spied Her bathing. I can't imagine Se would like being represented that way upon the altar... but I realize I am basing my whole concept from Artemis, who is greek and slightly 'harsher'. I think I have read that Roman Diana was more connected with fertility ... but I still wuldn't buy either of those statues.

Tana · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2012, 02:55:49 am »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62858

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-cat-woman-black-statue-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-heroes-images/herne-plaque-US-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos-god-statue-US-WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/diana-huntress-US-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

While I don't think that Bast statue bad, it's like veggie said, it just is not Bast?
Looks more like a woman dressed up as Bast.

The Herne/Cernunnos ones, the first one is actually picturing that kind of energy that absolutely can be picked up from Him. So I am not all against it. The second one is a terrible mash-up of things... like the artists was: Yeah, I am doing a Herne..no, Cernunnos, no Pan... oh the heck, just put it all together.

Nyktelios · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2012, 10:58:07 am »

Quote from: Lokabrenna;62858

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-cat-woman-black-statue-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-heroes-images/herne-plaque-US-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos-god-statue-US-WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/diana-huntress-US-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

I actually like the Bast one. You're right, traditionally Egyptian art is more modest and conservative, and didn't really change much over 3000 years, but as a modern interpretation of her I think it's beautiful. Like SkySamuelle said, it's appropriate for a goddess of pleasure and sensuality.

I kind of like the Herne statue too. I don't find it very offensive to portray a deity in a sexy way unless it's really contrary to the deity's character.

Nothing really comes to mind as far as being offensive, although there is this statue of Hera (http://www.abaxion.com/dq023.htm) that I don't think really suits her. She's dressed up like some sexy sci-fi heroine, not something a modest Greek woman would wear. As Hera represents the chaste, modest ideal for Greek women, and the dignified queen of the gods and patroness of marriage, I just don't feel it. However, others may get something out of it that I don't, so to each his/her own.

Catherine · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2012, 11:19:39 am »

Quote from: Carnelian;62910

I actually like the Bast one.

Nothing really comes to mind as far as being offensive, although there is this statue of Hera (http://www.abaxion.com/dq023.htm) that I don't think really suits her. She's dressed up like some sexy sci-fi heroine, not something a modest Greek woman would wear.

I do think the statue of Bast is inappropriate. Simply because of the vapid expression, the stance (arched back, pushing out Her boobs, etc.) and the implication that She's playing with Her hair. The only thing missing is a lollypop. She could have been portrayed as sexy without looking stupid.

Also, that statue of Hera is just awful, IMO. Juno and Hera are similar enough that I find it to be inappropriate as well.

Tana · « **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2012, 11:36:39 am »

Quote from: Carnelian;62910

Nothing really comes to mind as far as being offensive, although there is this statue of Hera (http://www.abaxion.com/dq023.htm) that I don't think really suits her.

Hey, that shop offers also cool stuff.
*gets lost in the shops page for hours...*

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Author Topic: Offensive Deity Statues (Read 32058 times)

Lokabrenna

Offensive Deity Statues

monsnoleedra

Re: Offensive Deity Statues

veggiewolf

Offensive Deity Statues

Lokabrenna

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monsnoleedra

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SatAset

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Lokabrenna

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Juniperberry

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SatAset

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Etheric1

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SkySamuelle

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Tana

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Nyktelios

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Catherine

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