23 Sep 2023 4:07 am
Proposed Palm Springs AIDS Memorial Slammed for Looking Like ‘Human Backside’Some see a donut. Others see a 'word you can't say on camera'
Nick Gallagher
A sculpture planned for construction in Palm Springs meant to honor those who succumbed to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, has come under criticism. Some residents argue it resembles the "backside of a human being."The nine-foot-tall limestone structure, slated for a park in the desert city's downtown, showcases concentric circles on one side. These circles, according to local station KESQ, symbolize the diverse ways people have been affected by AIDS.
On the reverse side of the $500,000 sculpture, there's an appearance similar to a donut, detailed by a series of smooth ridges curving inward."It could be about anything, and as a consequence, it's kind of about nothing," resident Clay Sales told the station.
Sales went on to say, reflecting on the abstract nature of the design, "You hear it called the word you can't say on camera all the time."Gene Brake, another resident, stated more directly: "The backside of the proposed memorial looks like a graphic depiction of the backside of a human being."Brake expressed concern that a subject deserving deep respect—an epidemic that took nearly 700,000 lives in the U.S.—might end up being mocked.Read More
Nick Gallagher
A sculpture planned for construction in Palm Springs meant to honor those who succumbed to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, has come under criticism. Some residents argue it resembles the "backside of a human being."The nine-foot-tall limestone structure, slated for a park in the desert city's downtown, showcases concentric circles on one side. These circles, according to local station KESQ, symbolize the diverse ways people have been affected by AIDS.
On the reverse side of the $500,000 sculpture, there's an appearance similar to a donut, detailed by a series of smooth ridges curving inward."It could be about anything, and as a consequence, it's kind of about nothing," resident Clay Sales told the station.
Sales went on to say, reflecting on the abstract nature of the design, "You hear it called the word you can't say on camera all the time."Gene Brake, another resident, stated more directly: "The backside of the proposed memorial looks like a graphic depiction of the backside of a human being."Brake expressed concern that a subject deserving deep respect—an epidemic that took nearly 700,000 lives in the U.S.—might end up being mocked.Read More