The "statue" of Bruce Lee in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

[Marcus Marulus]

Inspired by Gnist's poll on Jim Dine's Pinocchio at Borås...





The statue was unveiled about two and a half a year ago at Mostar, a town in Herzgovina, where there was intense fighting between all three sides during the Bosnian war, in all possible patterns of alliances. The members of the NGO which is behind the initiative to erect this statue in one of Mostar's public gardens, think that Bruce Lee can serve as a unifying factor in a town where scars from the war still persist and hatred among the three nationalities is still alive and well ("unification" through rubbish symbols of the American mass-"culture", yes, right...)

[Marcus Marulus]

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Bosnia unveils Bruce Lee bronze

[3rdEye]

I dislike art that is playing on a hype of out of context, but I think I should concentrate on the piece for the sake of the poll.

The artwork is realistic and the form quite beautiful - tempted to say masterpiece here. But the motive is not compelling me. Mediocre as a whole?

[Marcus Marulus]

Originally Posted by Gnist

I dislike art that is playing on a hype of out of context, but I think I should concentrate on the piece for the sake of the poll.

The artwork is realistic and the form quite beautiful - tempted to say masterpiece here. But the motive is not compelling me. Mediocre as a whole?

I can't help seeing this statue within the context in which it was erected in the park and that context is extremely idiotic. Maybe it would have found some appropriate place in a museum of pop-culture or something of the kind, but a unifying symbol, symbol of peace?

As a piece of art, it is nothing special, mediocre, I would say.

[3rdEye]

Originally Posted by Marulus

I can't help seeing this statue within the context in which it was erected in the park and that context is extremely idiotic. Maybe it would have found some appropriate place in a museum of pop-culture or something of the kind, but a unifying symbol, symbol of peace?

Like so much art these days it really gives the impression of being "random".

[Susi]

It seems an odd choice of subject... I like the statue but think, like everyone else, the context for it is wrong.

[Gavril]

It is "awesome" and it "rox," but it must be destroyed.

[Marcus Marulus]

Shorty after it was unveiled, the statue was vandalized by an unknown perpetrator.

AFP

Vandals hit Bruce Lee statue in Bosnia

Nov 28, 2005



MOSTAR, Bosnia-Hercegovina (AFP) — A new statue honouring late martial arts legend Bruce Lee was vandalised hours after it was unveiled in this southern Bosnian city.

"We have received reports that the statue has been damaged. We are currently investigation the incident," a police officer in Mostar said Sunday.

The life-size bronze statue of the kung fu cinema icon in a defensive position holding nun chucks, part of kung fu equipment, was unveiled during an emotional ceremony here Saturday.

The chain and one of the nun chucks' sticks were missing and empty wine bottles were scattered around the statue in a city park, according to an AFP reporter.

Several dozen citizens gathered in the park on Sunday morning and expressed their disgust.

"It is a crime!" said one.

"Once again we've shown what Balkan savageness is!" lamented another.

[source]

[Kernunnos]

Originally Posted by Marulus

Inspired by Gnist's poll on Jim Dine's Pinocchio at Borås...





The statue was unveiled about two and a half a year ago at Mostar, a town in Herzgovina, where there was intense fighting between all three sides during the Bosnian war, in all possible patterns of alliances. The members of the NGO which is behind the initiative to erect this statue in one of Mostar's public gardens, think that Bruce Lee can serve as a unifying factor in a town where scars from the war still persist and hatred among the three nationalities is still alive and well ("unification" through rubbish symbols of the American mass-"culture", yes, right...)

It means that nothing can unify such different ethnicities, nothing.

It is a admission admission of intellectual defeat and emptiness of the multiracial model.

[Kernunnos]

P.S.

Any ex serbian sniper willing to return in exercise for a bit?

[Kalevi]

Originally Posted by Marulus

I can't help seeing this statue within the context in which it was erected in the park and that context is extremely idiotic. Maybe it would have found some appropriate place in a museum of pop-culture or something of the kind, but a unifying symbol, symbol of peace?

The statue is not bad or anything, but exactly: what has Bruce Lee got to do with Bosnia-Herzegovina? I would understand if Bruce Lee would have filmed one of his movies there, but now it seems ridiculously out of place.

[Marcus Marulus]

Originally Posted by Kalevi

The statue is not bad or anything

Question of personal taste...

Originally Posted by Kalevi

what has Bruce Lee got to do with Bosnia-Herzegovina?

That is exactly what I am wondering. Absolutely nothing.

But some say he is some kind of symbol of struggle for justice or whatever.

Here is a stupid article on that theme, praising Bruce Lee and the erecting of his statue:

Reason Magazine - Mostar\'s Little Dragon

[OneEnglishNorman]

It's a trashy idea. Only idiots could derive anything profound from a Bruce Lee statue.

[Kernunnos]

Originally Posted by Kalevi

The statue is not bad or anything, but exactly: what has Bruce Lee got to do with Bosnia-Herzegovina? I would understand if Bruce Lee would have filmed one of his movies there, but now it seems ridiculously out of place.

that is because the history of the different people involved and their culture doesn't seem to offer any ground for creating an unified country.

The only thing they are able to agree on apparently is only a super foreigner kung fu movie star.