How A Curvy Mermaid Statue In Southern Italy Sparked Outrage For Being 'Provocative'

In Monopoli, a town in Puglia, Italy, a curved mermaid statue has sparked controversy for being too provocative. The statue was placed in a new square named after Nobel prize-winning Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini. 

Students from the Luigi Rosso art school in Monopoli created it. 

Notably, the statue is located near a children's playground and has been ridiculed on social media after photos of its installation were shared.

Bari-based actor Tiziana Schiavarelli took to facebook and wrote that her friend in Monopoli had "rightly expressed some perplexity about this 'monument.' It looks like a mermaid with two silicone breasts and, above all, a huge arse never seen before on a mermaid. At least not any I know". 

Despite her criticisms of the artwork's design, Ms. Schiavarelli emphasized that she held no grievances towards the art students or the local council, who had commissioned the mermaid statue. 

"But I am very amused by this thing ...who knows if it will further attract tourists," she added. 

Adolf Marciano, the headteacher of the Luigi Rosso art school, defended the curvy mermaid statue in Monopoli, stating that it was meant to pay homage to most women with curves.

As reported by Sky News, Mr. Marciano clarified that the local council was shown the scale model of the sculpture before it was installed in the Piazza Rita Levi-Montalcini square.

He refrained from commenting on the students' inspiration for the statue but emphasized that it was meant to represent the reality of the female body. Mr. Marciano stated that the mermaid statue was a tribute to most curvy women, which is common in their country. 

He further explained that it would have been perceived negatively if they had represented a skinny woman.

Although the statue has not been officially unveiled, photos of its installation caused controversy on social media. 

Mr. Marciano expressed no regrets and stood by the student's work.