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A park full of passion, jealousy and hate<br />
Psychologists can have a field day arguing among themselves over the<br />
etiology of Vigeland's obsession. But his sculpture park also ignited con- -<br />
troversy and passions.across the board.<br />
At the very beginning, Vigeland's contract with the City of Oslo angered<br />
other Norwegian artists. They felt he had received an undue share of dispensations,<br />
while many artists of merit went unsupported. Religious sects<br />
were offended by some of his concepts which were antithetical to, or at<br />
least unmindful of, their Bible teachings. And while hordes of tourists<br />
enjoyed the open, matter-of-fact Scandinavian attitude toward nudity and<br />
sex, many with Victorian sensibilities were appalled by the acres of naked<br />
flesh and the erotic implications. On a purely esthetic level, some critics<br />
derided his "mannered" style and heavy-handed realism, while others<br />
carped about his injudicious handling of rectangular and circular forms<br />
in the design of the park itself.<br />
Nevertheless, thousands upon thousands of people are drawn to the park<br />
each year. Most are delighted, in this day and age, to look at art that is totally<br />
representational and totally understandable. Some are overwhelmed<br />
with emotion. Some are numb with sensory overload. Some are bored with<br />
the repetitive scenario. But all personal responses and judgments aside,<br />
one can only stand in awe of one man's monumental accomplishment.<br />
Marion Muller<br />
HEADLINE: ITC AVANT GARDE GOTHIC BOOK TEXT: ITC BOOKMAN LIGHT. MEDIUM ITALIC. DEMI BYLINE: LIGHT ITALIC CAPTIONS: LIGHT ITALIC, MEDIUM<br />
E Detail of young girl in a<br />
tree grouping surrounding<br />
The Fountain.<br />
F Eight different wrought<br />
iron gates, similar to this<br />
one, open onto The Monolith<br />
Plateau.<br />
G A view of The Monolith<br />
Plateau. The 50 foot column<br />
contains 121 figures carved<br />
in a single block of stone. It is<br />
mounted on a circle of steps<br />
and surrounded by 39 monumental<br />
granitefigure groupings.<br />
H, I Granitefigure groups<br />
on the steps of The Monolith<br />
Plateau depict physical<br />
and emotional states of the<br />
human condition.<br />
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