The Rocky Statue Of Symbols

"Symbols really do matter. Symbols should reflect who we really are as a people. We have never been a culture, in essence, that revered war rather than peace, division rather than unity." Mayor Mitch Landrieu, standing in front of a large pillar topped with an imposing 18-foot bronze statue, said these words on June 24th, 2015, in front of dozens of dozens gathered there to hear him speak. The subject of his speech was the same statue towering above him: the monument to Robert E. Lee at the centerpiece of its nominal location, Lee Circle. Alexander Doyle, a sculptor who created many statues around New Orleans, cast it out of Bronze at the behest of the Robert E. Lee Monumental Association in the late 19th century. The statue faces north, supposedly …show more content…
Balboa, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky film series, is a boxer from Philadelphia whose statue is, in the movie, put atop the steps of the museum in thanks for all his contributions to the city. The statue made for the movie was a full bronze casting and was to remain atop the steps of the museum—and indeed it was a popular tourist attraction, Rocky being one of the most famous movies in the world. However, the museum and the Philadelphia Art Commission lobbied for and succeeded in its relocation, leading to legal battles between Stallone and the museum. Now, Rocky Balboa is hardly a confederate general whose presence is potentially going to offend an entire group of people, however it brings up the question of what a statue represents to a city. According to Rice, not only is the statue a major tourist attraction for the city, it is also “a symbol of the spirit of Philadelphia’ much like the famed Liberty Bell itself.” If being an integral part of the cities history is any indication for what statues should stay or go, then the statue of Lee is in trouble; Lee has, in fact, no connection whatsoever to New Orleans. Born in Virginia and serving all over the South, he never did anything to warrant a statue specifically honoring him in the city of New Orleans. However, there are many places where statues exist without their subject having direct contact or influence over the place they reside. The statue of Columbus in Columbus circle in New York is an example similar to Lee; a famous but controversial historical figure who is being honored in a city he had nothing to do with. Nevertheless, what the Rocky statue teaches us is that a statue as a work of art has to mean something, even if that something is less glamorous than artistic integrity. The Rocky statue—no longer at the top of the steps, but close by the museum—is a