Birders Cock-Up?

Never let it be said that Another Bird Blog doesn’t offer a variety of stories. We continue the rule of thumb today with a story about Modern Art in the Serbian town of Kikinda,  a samll town that is home to the planet's largest roosting population of Long-eared Owls. Between early November and mid-March, hundreds roost each day in the town square. 

Long-eared Owl - LEOs of Poland.

Reuters - November 2018 - “Phallic owl statue in Serbian town of Kikinda sparks complaints.” 

“A statue designed to brand Kikinda in Serbia as the city of owls is attracting attention for a different reason: its "phallic" shape. Critics of the recently erected 2.4 metre statue have called for its removal, claiming it is obscene. 

"This doesn't look like an owl. God save me, whoever approved this has no eyes," one person wrote on a Facebook post announcing the terra-cotta statue's unveiling. 

"Freud could say something about this statue, it looks so much like a phallus," another said. 

"Now everyone will ridicule Kikinda," another Facebook post read. 

"This statue represents something very masculine, but not an owl," said a post on Twitter. 

The statue did please some, however. "Come on people, I love art and I think the statue is really nice," one Facebook user said. 

Local sculptor Jovan Blat, who made the statue told Serbian newspaper Vecernje Novosti that he had intended to create a "stylized sculpture" with an "elongated, tubular body. It is clear that everyone does not understand contemporary art." 

Given the reaction to the statue, however, Blat said he would be prepared to make a replacement statue. 

However, Zeljiko Bodrozic, editor-in-chief of a local newspaper, said the existing owl statue should stay. "With all the hype swirling around it... in a way it also becomes a symbol of our city."  Local authorities declined to comment. 

Dragan Simic, a keen bird watcher, also has no issue with the statue. "Kikinda is now famous for its owls... across Europe, even around the world... the bird watchers are very active, numerous and loyal tourists." 

Kikinda - Serbia

Me? I couldn't possibly comment. But Dear Reader, feel free to add your point of view below.

Linking this post to Stewart's World Bird Wednesday.