Debate, Mermaids | Someone kills mermaids
Reader’s letter This is a discussion post, written by an external contributor. The post expresses the views of the writer.
Without wanting to imply that there has been inflation in cutting off the heads of mermaid sculptures in Scandinavia, one cannot have failed to note that the vandalism was committed a while ago in Bodøsjøen, reminiscent of identical acts in Denmark a few years ago. This time it was the ergo mermaid sculpture in Bodø that was beheaded, and it is not the first time that the sedentary seagull has been subjected to destruction either; The mermaid must have been kidnapped twice, and the same year it happened, the mermaid was cut in half. Whatever the motive, one remembers the episodes with The Little Mermaid at Langelinie in Copenhagen during the years of guillotining – in 1964, mutilation in 1984 (an arm was cut off), followed by guillotinings in 1990 (unsuccessful attempt to resign), capping in 1998, and the overturning of the entire figure from the stone she sat on, in 2003. Not all of the bronze lady’s heads were fixed, but thanks to plaster models, sculptor Edvard Eriksen’s beautiful bronze head from 1913 (made after his wife Eline as a model) could be recreated by a skilled artist.
Motive? The Danish cases have for the most part been resolved. What about the case in Bodø? Crappy streaks? Or something «psychological»? There is the concept as syreni metus and fóvos gorgon (fear of nudity), and it can degenerate into the destruction of nude motifs in works of art. Speaking of nude art: Not to draw any direct parallel to the case of the vandalism of a mermaid sculpture, but here it is very appropriate to mention a certain other number of disappearances in Bodø: Radio man Vebjørn Otto Tandberg gave away the sculpture “Young woman” (made by Dyre) a few years ago ) Vaa) to Bodø municipality. However, the sculpture was respectfully disposed of together with scrap metal behind Nordlandsbadet, and Tandberg’s relatives complained about the loss of a beautiful and precious figure. The Culture Office must have promised to “take care of” the matter, but what has been done? Where has «Young woman» gone? The undersigned has, on three occasions, asked the question to the Swedish Cultural Agency via the press; without getting any answer. Will certain other “matters” at the cultural city of Bodø be treated as carelessly, I wonder?