The New Golden Idols of NYC
More reverence to the ancient gods atop courthouses and in the ‘gardens’ of NYC
Known by many, many names through the millennia - Ishtar / Inanna, Ashtoreth in the Old - this anthropomorphic ancient goddess of sex, war, spells, intoxication, and political power is also known as “ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯 ". The new golden statues are but another step of ‘breathing life’ into this entity, regardless if those involved know what they are doing or not!.
Artist Shahzia Sikander (American, b. Pakistan 1969) titled this collection of work - ‘𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐡... 𝐭𝗼 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞, 𝐚𝐢𝐫, 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯’
The choice of using 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐡 is an interesting one.
In Strong’s Concordance1:
Root of havah = to become, come to pass, be
Original Word: הָוָא
This same root is also linked to:
•hava' = breathe, to fall
•havvah = desire, chasm, destruction
•hovah = a ruin, disaster
AND
•Yhvh = the proper name of the God of Israel
The Art
𝗡𝗢𝗪
An 8-foot sculpture on the roof of the courthouse, uses the same feminine form as in Witness, but instead of the skirt raising the body, the body emerges out of the seat of a lotus. The lotus, with its plethora of meanings and abstract ideas, is symbolic of a deeper truth beyond its form, alluding to perception as illusion.
𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀
The sculpture Witness, at 18 feet in height, will sit in the Madison Square Park near the entrance 25th street and 5th Avenue. Taking inspiration from the spectacular stained glass ceiling dome of the Appellate courtroom, its translucency and defined architectural properties, I thought of re-imaging the dome as house, a space demarcating a site of renewal
☞Artist Statement2: “The form of the figure is stylized and enigmatic. It is female and fluid. Part of the body loops out and into itself, in place of arms and feet, offering a non-fixed idea to the notion of the body—something amorphous, like the self. It refuses to be fixed, grounded, or stereotyped.”
𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟳
As the artist notes in her statement, she was on the Mayoral Advisory Commission on City Art, Monuments and Markers in New York in 2017, then this project was launched with Madison Square Park Conservancy (MSPC).
In 2017, Katy Perry’s 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 came to Madison Square Garden3 Her performance not only included the stage backdrop set as the 'All Seeing 👁️’ 4but also being dressed in a full GOLDEN costume. 5
Are they are all inspired by the same ancient entity?
As Elizabeth Goldstein President, Municipal Art Society of New York release in her ‘Monthly Observations 2023’ 6the works are up through June 4th. She praises Sikander’s collection of work titled as 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐇…to breathe light and air, and ‘for bringing a clear-eyed vision of justice we strive for.’
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝗼𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞?
As the battle for hearts & minds intensifies, particularly those of our children, so does the influence of signs & symbols. This particular entity is on the rise, once again. The effort to inspire your chidren, your daughters, to become involved in venerating or forms idol worship is a focus. Small doors open until your childs heart is one unrecognizable to you.
As Matthew 6:24 is spoken:
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Unless you understand and then take the time to explain these tactics to your child their heart is up for grabs. We must show them the only path to Salvation is strait and narrow way, and is the only way to lead to the eternal life through Christ Jesus. It’s so unfortunate that few there be that find it. ( Matthew 7:14 )