Giant David, Venus de Milo statues raise eyebrows in Japan

Tokyo, February 6 - Giant reproductions of Michelangelo's David and the Venus de Milo are raising eyebrows in the Japanese town of Okuizumo because of their oversize nude bodies. The five-meter-high statues, sculpted by Italian artist Enzo Pasquini, have led to a wave of complaint letters calling on town officials to "put some pants on the David" and "put a blouse on the Venus de Milo". The latter is positioned outside a playground and "the children are afraid," as one angry parent put it. Mayor Katsuhiro Inoue issued a statement to his 17,000 townspeople, arguing that the statues are "a great educational opportunity for children to see first class art up close". (photo: A reproduction of David in Florence)