Is this art or just plain creepy?

More than 100 students at Wellesley College,

I don't care. They put zoo animals in cages. Why not something that many find distasteful?

I saw a comment that it triggers thoughts of sexual assault.

My thoughts are I would more likely to think of this in a sexual or violent way if it was placed indoors.
As it is, it's a representation of a person being at his most helpless.
He's near naked, asleep and out in the cold. If he were to wake up, he would be terrified, not trying to terrify or harm others.

The man is fast asleep, he's not trying, or thinking about assaulting anyone. He's not conscious of his surroundings, and he is in fact the one who is vulnerable and in danger.

I think it would lose it's impact, and just become an uninteresting object if it was indoors. The whole idea is that it's unexpected and out of context.

If I saw what is in the picture below, my first thought was "My God, I have to go help that guy!" and not "I'll bet he's wandering out here in the cold/snow just waiting to sexually assualt someone."

I don't like to see people in public in such poses. No reason I need the same image pushed in my face, whether it is art or a simple prank.

I'd say that someone had stolen Region Philbis's Stag Night photos.

Quote:

I'd say that someone had stolen Region Philbis's Stag Night photos.

the resemblance is uncanny, yes...

I agree. It's not sexual at all.
I had said "My thoughts are I would more likely to think of this in a sexual or violent way if it was placed indoors." However, I don't think of this in a sexual OR violent way at all. If I were to change my mind for some reason, I think I it still would appear threatening unless it were inside....let's say placed in a dark hallway.

edgar, just my opinion, but this statue is hardly pushed in anyone's face. I find the statue tsar posted on the naked cowboy in the middle of Times Square personally offensive, because it's purpose is obviously to sexually titillate, and placed in a area much more likely to be seen, and cause an accident by people who don't drive that way often. The statue at the college is of an average looking joe.

You also said you don't like to see people posed this way. It's not a person. If it were a person he would be dead from exposure, and we'd all be saying how sad it is.

I think the fact that we are all talking about it makes the art successful, whether we like it, are offended, or think it's cheesy crap.

It's art and we are talking about it.

Here, does this make it more acceptable?

You would think - some of the women are complaining that it will upset those who have been sexually abused or assaulted.

like those poor bonsai kittens

But I have read and heard on the news the following: "At the college Tuesday, drivers could be seen slamming on their brakes as they approached or passed the statue, craning their necks for a second look." My first thought was jeepers these people are going to get in accident.