The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 16

Page 6B Wednesday, February 6, 2002 The Des Moines Register ST GUEXDAR Statues reflect MkUFE "saw 1 i ii pi I Noon. Soprano Ann Petrie, pianist Carol lei Breckenridge and oboe player Sue Beach at St. John's Lutheran Church, 600 Sixth St. Free. 243-7691.

6:30 p.m. "Feminist Art: The HI I Personal and the Political," lecture by MlMiSJlftlp eras 1 University of Iowa Professor Rachel Williams. Anderson Gallery, Harmon Fine Arts Center, Drake University, 25th Street and University Avenue. Free. 271-1994.

At Statehouse: "Mother Iowa," the bare-breasted statue at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is said to be "offering her bounty" to Iowans. 7:30 p.m. The National Acrobats of Taiwan, Stephens Auditorium, Ames. (877) 843-2368. 8 p.m.

Carla Desantis, editor of "Rockrgrl" magazine, Sun Room of the Memorial Union, Iowa State University. Free. 294-9934. 1 What: The Union Street players' auditions for "Love, Sex and the IRS" Where: Pella Community Center, 712 Union Pella When: p.m. Thursday and a.m.

Saturday Call (641) 628-1449. i i STATUES, from Page 5B holding newel-post lights at the base of the grand staircase in the state Capitol. Both were originally cornrnissioned for the Illinois Capitol in the late 1870s, said Joan Ar-nett, the tour guide supervisor at the Iowa Statehouse. They thought they were too scantily clad." So, Iowa ended up with the figures in their flimsy togas. In Washington, politicians have used the "Spirit of Justice" (fondly and inexplicably nicknamed Minnie Lou) as a backdrop for decades, apparently without a ripple.

Although members of Ashcroft's staff claim the statue and its loincloth-covered male companion were covered for aesthetic, not moral, reasons the media have speculated that the real deal is Ashcroft's discomfort around nudity. Ether way, it wouldn't be the first time semi-nude sculpture found itself in the middle of a collision between classical art and moral righteousness. Statues that stand guard over Union Station in Washington, D.C., now have shields covering the exposed genitalia on male figures. Even such widely recognized art as Michaelangelo's painting in the Sistine Chapel in Rome was altered. During the artist's lifetime, loincloths were painted on nude bodies after a pope was offended, said Susan Lubowsky Talbott, director of the Des Moines Art Center.

With the potential for such controversy, why does so much skin show in artwork around government buildings? Along with the staircase statues, three other topless statues and several partially clothed male and female figures stand in the Iowa Statehouse. The answer harks back to the philosophies of Greek democracies and Roman republics used to build this country's political system. "So many artists are inspired by classical Greek and Roman sculptors," said Lubowsky Talbott. "It goes back to Greco-Roman times when the nude body was considered the pinnacle of beauty." Sometimes, all it takes for barely clad art to be appreciated is time. A controversial statue on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Des Moines was one reason the monument was not dedicated until the 1940s, decades after it was finished in the late 1890s.

Harriet Ketchum designed the female figure that cups her hands under her bare breasts to represent "Mother Iowa." "Offering her bounty, as they put it so gently," Arnett said. "That statue was not really any help when it came to endearing the statue to our more conservative Iowa citizens." Maybe the more demure Minnie Lou would have better luck here now. Reporter Laurie Mansfield can be reached at (515) 284-8532 or manstieldlnews.dmreg.com Tri -'It. What: "From the Outside In: Photographs of Buildings" Where: University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City. When: Noon-5 p.m.

Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Closed Mondavs. Through March 14. Call (319) 335-1727.

is. "I Is Another flap over nude statue i1 i mall manager, said the sculpture "wouldn't cause very many comments at an art center, but this is a shopping center where you have hundreds of thousands of shoppers. And some people are unhappy." Removed 23 years later during a mall renovation, the statue had become part of the scenery. It was sold to a local woman. Aside from government buildings, nude statues have caused a stir in public places such as shopping malls.

One classic Iowa example is the 7-foot winged "Up Down" statue commissioned for the Merle Hay Mall. The statue, a nude male figure riding a tricycle, was controversial when it was installed in 1974. Harry Frohwein, then the i lL IX ROBERT NANDELLREGISTER PHOTOS Controversial? Statehouse tour guide supervisor Joan Arnett says she often gets questions from students about the two bronze statues in flimsy togas at the base of the grand staircase in the Capitol. Mussels Mamc yjgpfifaaP tttifo ru 1-iu it mi flnerisase Ihaatta 2 lbs i vii Aisyv am medium. Add tke nurtured aOtwred I 1 zTPspouveoiii for 3 wrnass.

wme Pick A Better Snack Act Banana push-ups 2 large bananas, sliced Vi cup instant nonfat dry milk 1 cup plain yogurt 6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate (1 small can) 1 cup water Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and whirl until foamy. Pour into paper cups and freeze. Push up from the bottom of the cup. Makes six servings. ft Mr run A JW 4) Today's Horoscope Joyce JiHson CREATORS SYNDICATE ARIES (March 21 -April 19).

Today you're learning the rules of love. Indiscretion Is not recommended. Vibes for harmony will improve soon. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Extraordinary effort is required if you want to meet your own expectations.

Use your influence wisely. Strong disagreements among teammates can be set aside until later. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Snatch the chance to get a good job. Exercise authority; you'll bring out the best in others.

A harmonious domestic scene is your great inspiration. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Try new methods, even if they are suggested by someone you find overbearingly opinionated. True love is one of your basic needs; don't play fast and loose with the affections of a sincere person. LEO (July 23-Aug.

22). Work and health are emphasized. You feel terrific, but don't overdo it. Exercise is the best medicine. Tact is necessary in job matters; what you do now will carry great weight with those around you later.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22). Cast off old habits and turn a new leaf. Friendship with someone you once admired from afar will be the highlight this evening.

You'll wisely counsel your mate or business partner. LIBRA (Sept. 23 Oct. 23). Your public image may seem more important than it is.

Glitz and glamour are featured this afternoon. A little extra style goes a long way. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).

If there is nothing left to celebrate, make something up! If you revise things, the new way will bring more profit in the long run. Your charisma is a magnet for creative, ambitious people. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

Set your sights on reaching the top. Watch your reputation. Others will try to link you with objectionable people or activities. You'll find a new love interest in a distant but intriguing city. CAPRICORN (Dec.

22-Jan. 19). A loved one wants more of your attention and may create a crisis of sorts just to get attention. You can challenge children to reach new creative heights. Singles: It's bme to take a chance in love.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It's time to come out of your shell. Communication is the key: Meet new people, learn to e-mail or fax, if you don't know how to already.

PISCES (Feb. 19 March 20). You'll be completely absorbed in home projects. Finding ways to make repairs cheaper and more efficient provide great satisfaction. Astrologer Joyce Jillson often a personal forecast from Touch-Tone phone to callers 18 and older.

Call 1-900-420-2787 (99 cents per minute; average calls last three minutes). a nil jl 1 all 1 aui rvw rT" r-i i fc UJ lemon wedges oven fitoe Set aside. Y0UR 2W0RTH Lost Found I would like to see the grocery Can you help? They can help Be active Celebrate the Winter Olympics in your back yard with homemade snow events. Invite grandparents to watch the Olympics with you and share team sports stories from their youth. Select one Winter Olympics event you have never tried and make plans to experience the activity.

stores trying to pass the bottle law do tests on their bakery, restrooms and dining areas and tell us how much bacteria they find there. Dei Moines woman To the grocers who claim recy should be investigating the insurance company for providing services for which their clients pay. Area code 515 How cruel is it to the al-Qaida prisoners when we've taken them from starving in an Afghan winter to three meals a day in the Caribbean? I could live with that. Waukee man Why do we need an Events Center when everything is going on at the state fairgrounds? East-side man cling cans and bottles is a health hazard; You should ban those bratty kids riding around in grocery carts with their filthy diapers where I have to put my groceries. Cara Waltrip of Des Moines would like to find someone to re-cane cane-backed chairs.

Sharon Steffa of Marshall-town is looking for some Geisha Stik Lites, low voltage, 24 volt. Jo Bruce of Des Moines would like a fondue pot or to know where to purchase one. Sharon Hines of Donnellson would like information about a company in Des Moines around World War II that made little servicemen and horse statues of a green or gray plastic-type material. Kim Wilis of Des Moines is looking for the poem, "An Iowa Child. A reader reports www.smuckers.com has walnuts in syrup.

M. Peterson of Des Moines, 27M627, has a video of the Michael Jackson concert. Judy Jansen of Windsor Heights, 277-3186, has ukulele books and can teach ukulele. Quality Appliance in Des Moines, can order air filters for Norelco HB1905 air cleaners. Write to Lost Found, The Des Moines Register Newsroom, P.O.

Box 957, Des Moines, 50304. Phone: 284-8498. Include name, address and phone number. 17th Street woman The Des Moines dentist should MORE INFORMATION: Iowa Nutrition Education Network, partnering with USDA Team Nutrition, encourages you to balance food choices with physical activity to stay fit. For more information call ISU Answerline at (800) 262-3804 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu food be applauded for standing up for his patients and speaking to the insurance company in the manner A 24-hour phone line for anonymous callers.

Just leave a message on the recorder. Call (515)284-8244. they deserved State investigators mm nJ i i 7 iX(00 Find out what's showing and log on to DesMoinesRegister.com and click on Movies, listed under Entertainment. el)c t)es jfloincs ficistcr r-y Full of Life Subscribe. Call 1-800-365-4692..