Dear Editor:
Many of you must have noticed the newly installed headless artworks on Lonsdale Avenue and wondered, "What are these things?!" Well, for me, they have become my nightmare.By looking at them you can't help but just be reminded of horrible news about the barbaric beheading acts of ISIS in Iraq these days. It appears that these "pieces of art" were installed in our neighbourhood without enough thought and consideration.Sadly, a few of these beheaded figures are standing in front of the Harry Jerome Community Centre very close to a childcare facility.What are we trying to show our kids and youth, by displaying these figures?One concerned mother told me she didn't know what to explain to her 10-yearold son when the kid asked about those beheaded bodies. The kid thought these are soldiers killed in war.I had a chance to talk to a few people about these aliens in our neighbourhood. Everyone I talked to shared the same opinion and questioned the purpose of these "things." Unanimously, we feel that these creepy, beheaded metal bodies are nothing but a constant reminder of atrocities being perpetuated by groups such as ISIS in Iraq and Syria.Even some visitors from other cities or countries told me they wondered if North Shore residents are sending a wrong message with these ugly figures. Are we scaring people by displaying these backless, armless, headless, aimless walking legs?!Although I believe the person who designed them did not intend to create a heartbreaking impression on the public, I have to say that these pieces are standing in a wrong place at the wrong time.In my opinion, we should leave such artworks in the galleries and anyone interested can admire them there. Or if we display them in the public eye, we should be considerate of the impression it may have on people.I strongly believe we should remove these figures from our street. I wish we could replace them with something more peaceful. Then we could send a loud and clear message that we Vancouverites want to promote peace, prosperity, and life - with our brains, not without our heads.With this letter I am asking the responsible parties to contact me to discuss the process of removing these pieces from our street.
Rose Nazeri
North Vancouver
