The sculpture made women uncomfortable, the commission decided
A heated discussion broke out at the European University of Flensburg. The object of the dispute was the work “Spring” (“Spring” – ed.) by the German sculptor Fritz Dühring, who stood in the hall of the university for 67 years, writes Zeit. The bronze statue, just over a meter high, represents a naked girl with her hips sloping and her arms crossed over her head. And for some reason, the progressive students did not like the sculpture and demanded that it be removed. Apparently, considering that there is no place for sensuality and beauty in the walls where intellectual work takes place. Also, in a time when body positivity and equal rights for everyone and everything are more important than art.
University officials said that prior to the statue’s removal, discussions were held in the Equity and Diversity Committee. The question was raised as to how proper it is to display a naked female body in public, at a time when a woman is treated as an intellectual person within the walls of the university.
Equality Commissioner Martina Spirgatis criticized the Dühring sculpture, noting that female students feel uncomfortable looking at it. According to her, the statue symbolizes the outdated traditional image of a woman, which suggests reducing femininity to fertility and motherhood, and therefore does not conform to current realities.
However, there were those who opposed the removal of the statue. Therefore, a member of the University Senate, Janko Koch, said that it is a big problem when employees of the Committee for Equal Rights and Diversity start interpreting recognized works of art in their own way. The university’s executive committee also lamented the sad fate of the sculpture and condemned the committee for making it without general discussion.
Now, a rainbow-colored question mark was installed in place of the statue, and the Primavera itself was stored in the office of the university’s supply manager.
