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Tom Otterness Statue Nixed Over 1977 Puppy Snuff Flick
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 10, 2011
Modified Jul 10, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 10, 2011
Modified Jul 10, 2011
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There will be no new Tom Otterness sculptures in Battery Park City. Though Otterness already did the lovely "penny park" at the north end of the park, the Battery Park City Authority has nixed an anonymously gifted $750,000 bronze lion and cubs sculpture by the artist meant for the Battery Park branch of the New York Public Library. Though the BPCA says the decision was because of a "lack of transparency" regarding control of the work and where it came from, the world-renowned sculptor's history of animal abuse (and the many petitions deriding it) is the more likely culprit.
Back in 1977, when he was 25, Otterness adopted a shelter dog, chained it to a fence and shot it dead for an art film he called "Shot Dog Film." Not shockingly PETA and others have loudly protested letting Otterness's work grace the library because of the movie, despite the fact that Otterness (whose work you've probably also noticed in the 8th Avenue and 14th Street subway station among many spots across town) has publicly decried his youthful work.
At a 2008 sculpture unveiling Otterness said, "As you must understand this is a very difficult and painful situation for me. Thirty years ago when I was 25 years old, I made a film in which I shot a dog. It was an indefensible act that I am deeply sorry for. Many of us have experienced profound emotional turmoil and despair. Few have made the mistake I made. I hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me."
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battery park city
manhattan
new york public library
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penny park
tom otterness
Garth Johnston
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