... the possible rightness of some of objections regard the corporate sponsor. However, your point is well taken, I should have worded the OT differently.
My own position is that this is not mere tokenism, and that, like it or not, a large percentage of all (major) art projects often use corporate money (unless directly funded by the government). However, the degree of freedom given the artist is obviously important.
Below is the article that raised some counterpoints. However, to me, it appears to go further than accuse the "Fearless Girl" of mere tokenism.
The statue is criticized/attacked on a number of levels. Some of them didn't sit well with me. For example, the author gives me the impression that they consider the statue to be:
- Fake corporate feminism
- Bad art
- Tokenism
- An appalling choice to represent women, because the statue is of a diminutive child.
But overall, I detected a whiff of snobbery in this article. Perhaps I'm wrong, but the writer's admitted unease appeared to be fueled by the sheer popularity of the statue.
The writer then goes on to state the obvious: a statue cannot make up for gender inequality. My reaction is that this is screamingly obvious, and why would anyone think otherwise?
Could the money have been better spent? Yes, quite possibly. As long as there is poverty, social injustice and a host of other "issues", then almost all money can be better spent. But that leaves art (in general) in the proverbial cold.
One salient point that the writer (and others) have overlooked, is how the "Fearless Girl" is dressed. She does not appear contemporary (to my eyes). My impression is that her garb is depression-era. Odd coincidence that, considering the Great Crash of 1929.
One final thing: apparently her ponytail is also trite. However, look at the girl's attire, her dress, her shoes... is this some kind of trite cuteness? I don't think so. She looks like she is from a poor working family.
Or maybe I'm wrong: she's just cliched, ponytailed, Hallmark Greeting Card-cuteness. And far too popular with average person to be considered art.
Lastly, I am a white male. Therefore, what I think is an appropriate symbol erected on International Women's Day, ultimately can only go so far. Hence my questions.
-Puzzler
http://hyperallergic.com/364474/the-sculpture-of-a-fearless-girl-on-wall-street-is-fake-corporate-feminism/
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