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Oprah has a heart of bronzeIf thousands of years from now our civilization becomes eradicated, much like that of the ancient Egyptians, archaeologists will sift through rock and debris and find artifacts that lead them to the logical conclusion that America had a queen and her name was Oprah. The talk show icon’s legacy will now live on forever thanks in part to sculptor Daniel Edwards, who has recently unveiled his newest piece: “Memories of Sophie and Gracie: A Puppies’ Memorial.”
Edwards created this monument in memory of Oprah’s Cocker Spaniel, Sophie, and Golden Labrador, Gracie, who both passed away this year. Why are the dogs sitting atop her golden head, you ask? Well, Edwards decided to take the road much less traveled in art and place them there for their literal significance: they are always on Oprah’s mind. His message received, I would say. Although Sophie died of natural causes, Oprah’s Labrador died from choking on a ball that she found somewhere within the vastness of the Winfrey estate; Edwards is hoping that his tribute to them will “serve as a reminder to all pet lovers to thoroughly ‘puppy-proof’ their pet’s habitat”. (A public service announcement might have been another helpful way to go about sending this message, but I won’t judge.) This is not the first time Edwards sculpted a celebrity, or even Oprah for that matter. Back in January, he created a full body bronze sarcophagus of the TV host completely naked (and rather endowed, I might add). Edwards said he created this because he wanted to pay tribute to the closest thing we have in America to a “living deity.” I have always said that a pair of large breasts is a definite sign of godliness. His other work includes the infamous statue of Britney Spears giving birth on a bearskin rug (because that’s how pop stars roll when they are birthing babies.)
Additionally, he created a sculpture depicting a dead Paris Hilton with cell phone in hand and a bronze sculpture of Suri Cruise’s — how do I put this — baby poop. There, I said it.
It is such a relief to know that not only are our celebrities immortalized on film and in photographs, and now, thanks to Daniel Edwards, we can look to raw materials as a way of commemorating them. That reassurance aside, personally I could never see myself adorning my apartment with monuments of Oprah or any child’s excrement — celebrity or otherwise. Are these works of brilliance? Or just a crazy artist obsessed with women in pop culture? Submitted by on May 16, 2008 - 1:00pm. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
NO NO NO NO!
Huh?
What in that story gave you the idea that Oprah asked this sculptur to do this? Gave him permission to do it? Or that she even knows about it?
And I'm sure Oprah will be very concerned that someone she doesn't know is over her.
a weirdo
I feel like I was more innocent 5 minutes ago, before I knew about these sculptures.
I know.
We can't go back now.
C'mon now ...
My mind ...
...immediately jumps to the cynical and sardonic - in that this man MUST be making fun of the ridiculousness of these women, just in a really subtle, brilliant way ...
HOW could anyone take this seriously?!
Speak what we feel not what we ought to say...
just another sign..
This is just another sign of just how skewed our society has become. Why do we continue to lavish praise and accolades and ridiculous amounts of money on people who really haven't done anything particularily special. I admit that these women, and all the other celebrities at some point do something interesting, but that's only after we have given them our attention, and the power to do those things. But really, what do these people do? Britney sang some songs, Oprah talks to people, Paris goes to parties. These are all things everyday people do for free, and often times pay others to let them do. Stop giving credit and making statues of these useless people, because the truth is, if every musician and actor and comedian and "party-goer" suddenly disappeared we'd just start doing those things for ourselves. The same can't be said of doctors, farmers, engineers, technicians, nurses. The day i say to myself "oh I can't find a doctor, I'll just give myself a triple bypass surgery" is the day, well, the day I die. These are the things and people we should be praising and creating long lasting tributes to.
Plus, is it just me or are those sculptures pretty ugly?
Oprah et moi
Huh. Let's see: Oprah went from a local tv reporter to becoming the richest woman in the world who did not inherit her wealth from her family, or her husband, by being business savvy. I didn't do that, did any of you? Oprah gives away millions of dollars each year to charity. I don't, do any of you? Oprah has encouraged thousands of people to pick up a book, actually read it and discuss it. I don't. Do any of you? Oprah has created a charitable network that has opened up schools for girls in places like Afghanistan and South Africa. I haven't. Did any of you? Oprah uses her personal global forum to champion empowerment for women. I don't have one of those. Do any of you?
I'm not a big Oprah fan but please give the woman the respect that she is due. If an artist want to use her for his "inspiration", so what? As for Ms. Spears: she may be a trainwreck, but she's a trainwreck who earned enough by the time she was 21 to not have to work again for years, maybe ever. I sure as hell didn't. Really wish I did.
As for Ms. Hilton, words fail; but what do you expect - the woman was raised by trolls. Really nasty trolls.
I second everything you
I second everything you said. I read a stat last year that at the time Oprah opened the two schools in Africa, her leadership academy and a co-ed school in the same area, the total number of schools she's opened worldwide was 65. I had no idea that she had done that much. Others may have done similar things, but not recieved the attention, but I doubt it.
And it's funny that people complain about celebs., but don't hesistate to post about them. A sure way of changing things is to stop buying the magazines, visiting the websites, and commenting on the things they do.
One more thing, the Brittany piece was commissioned by a right to life group, who was happy that Brittany didn't have an abortion. They said the piece proved that she was a good mother. Which pretty much shows what's wrong with those groups. They seem to care more about carrying the baby, than how babies are treated when they finally get here.
Oprah IS an American Icon
I may not be an Oprah fanatic but she definitely has my respect.
I actually really like the sculpture itself as well. Its beautiful and symbolic in the way that it represents a Black American Celebrity as an Egyptian style Goddess/Queen. kinda brilliant considering how revered she is in the States.
Oprah has done sooo much to represent womyn everywhere . The women & civil rights movements were not so long ago people, she may have a big ego but she's entitled to some bravado for her accomplishments.
Bow Down...lol
The Brittany and Paris sculptures are at least aesthetically interesting, sculpture is mad difficult (i would know) so props to the artist anyways.
ENTERTAINMENT ICONS
I totally agree with you about Oprah's accomplishments.
The sculptor created works that have some sort of meaning to him and we can only "assume" what he's really trying to say about these entertainment icons (they are icons because they're well-known on every continent). I can't sculpt so kudos to him.
Oprah needs to be giving
Oprah needs to be giving some serious cash, as atonement for unleashing Dr. Phil upon humanity.
I keed, I keed. Kind of.
But, really, she's cool - I do think she's done a great deal for women and education. I do sometimes wish people realized when there are episodes where cars are being given away or whatnot, she's not buying those cars - sponsors are. I dunno why, but that's a pet peeve of mine. She's just got this amazing forum for showing off her generosity, whereas, people that are giving away huge portions of their wealth and really changing the world (i.e. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Gordon Moore) don't get the same accolades from the general public.
Oh, and I remember being really freaked out when the Britney thing was
unleashedunveiled upon humanity. Turns out, time truly doesn't heal everything.is it just me...
or is this a new form of celebrity bashing and E channel kinda critique. :D
i have to admit, the guy got talent, and to use it in such matter, brilliant.
but the britney statue is pretty creepy if you ask me.