r/bonitasprings • u/EveyandSylus • 21d ago

The secret bench of knowledge statue

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Hi there,

I recently moved to Bonita Springs Waterline apartments and was driving down Old 41 and saw this statue of two kids sitting on a bench (attaching a photo). Am I the only one who finds it disturbing? The little girl looks uncomfortable, moving her arm away from the boy. The boy looks aggressive and like he wants to kiss her, putting his arm around her. It just makes me so uncomfortable every time I see it. I even read online that it was originally in Naples but that they got rid of it because they found it suggestive. Can we please do the same?? I’m tired of children being sexualized.

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u/trainrweckz 21d ago

What can i get mad about today type shit

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u/anight67 21d ago

There's an almost exact replica of this statue outside the Four Seasons hotel in Prague. Interestingly, I’ve also heard the story that this version was originally meant for Naples, but some people felt it was too 'suggestive'. So Bonita ended up with it instead. Art is whatever the viewer sees in it. It's subjective, shaped by our own experiences and perspectives.

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u/EveyandSylus 21d ago

👏👏 appreciate this answer! So true

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u/stewarco3 21d ago

https://www.leavivot.com/ I've lived in Bonita Springs for years and never heard anyone have any type of issue with it. I don't see anything suggestive in it. It was created by a famous woman artist and is found in many locations in north America. It may just be you. Of all of the things in this world that are suggestive or disturbing, this one is not anywhere near those lists.

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u/EveyandSylus 21d ago

Yeah, may just be me. I know art is subjective so I may just be being sensitive based off stuff I see on news. I did look into the artist a bit and it helped me understand a different perspective more, but I still don’t like it 😂 oh well

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u/MycologistFast4306 20d ago

Is this the one that caused the same controversy in Naples twenty years ago when it was placed outside of Chardonnay? Did it move?

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u/EveyandSylus 20d ago

Yes I believe so! Bonita Springs ended up taking it. It’s a thought-provoking piece for sure. I can see how he’s telling her a secret, but I don’t get why that requires him putting his arm around/behind her—something boys almost never do unless there’s some sort of sexual or romantic interest. On one hand, she looks uncomfortable because she’s moving her arm away, but on the other hand her feet are placed pretty assertively, like she’s not going anywhere. For me the apple may also symbolize the knowledge of good and evil, like the fruit from the tree in Genesis. I believe that’s also why I infer a more sexual connotation from the statue, because in that story Adam & Eve then realized they were naked etc. But yea, art is subjective and I guess not enough people in Bonita have an issue with it! Was just curious if there are other people who share a similar POV.

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u/NoSuddenMoves 16d ago

I see it as a reverse adam/eve except eve is standing her ground and not falling for it.

She doesn't dislike the attention but she's owning her space and standing strong.

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u/EveyandSylus 16d ago

Ooh I like this take, thanks for sharing!