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UNESCO censors nude statues

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6 years ago

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Image via Stéphane Simon on Instagram.

The United Nations’ cultural agency is under fire for covering the genitalia on a series of nude sculptures with underwear, according to CNN.

The work of French sculptor Stéphane Simon, 45, the sculptures were on display at the European Heritage Days event held in in Paris by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in September.

CNN reports that the classical-style figures were part of a series called “In Memory of Me,” in which they were depicted in poses meant as a commentary on the now-worldwide social phenomenon of taking selfies.

UNESCO officials made the decision to cover the genitalia with the addition of underwear during the event.

The two statues in question were covered with a thong and a baby’s diaper.

Simon told CNN the decison “humiliated him” and was “disgusting.”

“I felt ashamed,” said Simon, 45, “so deeply sad to see all these years of work and research broken.”

“For two days visitors came to meet, to ask me: ‘But why did you do that?’ But it was not my choice,” the artist added, saying that he should instead have spent those two days “explaining the fascinating link” between the practice of selfie-taking and Ancient Greek history.

To make matters worse, Simon says he had raised the issue of nudity with UNESCO during meetings to plan for the event, but that they had not asked him to cover up the works until a few days before it took place on September 21 and 22.

In an interview with the French news site CheckNews, he said, “The question of the nudity of the statues was raised… I understand that can be disturbing. So, I proposed to stay, during Heritage Days, nearby with a cloth and, if necessary, depending on the visitors, to hide the sex of the statues.”

Image via Stéphane Simon on Instagram.

In a report by UK’s Daily Mail, law professor Jacques Bouineau compared the situation to the case of Daniele da Volterra, an Italian painter who tried to cover the exposed backsides in Michelangelo’s Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel.

“And it’s in Paris, the capital of a secular state, in 2019, that a similar censorship is imposed upon an artist,” Bouineau added. “Are we going to have to cover up Michelangelo’s David… or the nude women of Rubens and Ingres?’

For their part, UNESCO initially said the sculptor agreed to cover up the genitalia – which Simon denies – before the arrival of Muslim delegations, citing a confused chain of emails with agency staff over the placement of the underwear, which they said was proposed by the artist himself.

Nevertheless, the agency has apologized, blaming the incident on a “misunderstanding” and a mistake made by a “stressed” employee, and saying that they would have allowed the statues to be exhibited uncovered if they had fully understood the situation.

In a statement, UNESCO said, “We didn’t want to censor the artist, and understand that he felt hurt.”

Photos of the underwear-clad statues drew ridicule from online commentators, with some commenting that the coverage made the statues look like an underwear ad, and others wondering how the skimpy garments could even have been slipped over the base.

The predominant reaction, however, has been to level criticism at UNESCO for a decision many call “puritanical.”

In the words of one Twitter user, “That’s how the fall of the Roman Empire began.”

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PHOTOS: Whitman-Walker Gala

LGBTQ community health organization holds annual event at Ritz-Carlton

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19 hours ago

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November 14, 2025

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Whitman-Walker Health CEO Naseema Shafi speaks at the Whitman-Walker 2025 Gala on Wednesday, Nov. 14. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Whitman-Walker 2025 Gala was held at the Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Trans Day of Resilience set for Nov. 22

Leadership brunch, ‘Chat & Chew,’ fashion show and live performances planned

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23 hours ago

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November 14, 2025

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(Photo by nito/Bigstock)

Capital Pride will host the Trans Day of Resilience Leadership Brunch on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center (1827 Wiltberger Street, N.W.). For more information and to RSVP, visit this link.

There will be a Trans Day of Resilience “Community Chat & Chew” at 5 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. fashion show and live performances at 9 p.m. at TransMission (1353 H Street, N.E.). The event is 21+. More information about the event is available on Facebook.

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Calendar

Calendar: November 14-20

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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24 hours ago

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November 14, 2025

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Friday, November 14

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., NW. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected]. 

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Trade. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite. 

Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for women living in the D.C. area. For more information join the group’s closed Facebook group. 

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Daytime Docs and Dramas Screening of ‘Summer Qamp’” at 12:30 p.m. This free event will celebrate queer youth, resilience and the power of living authentically. To RSVP, visit this link. 

Saturday, November 15

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation.  Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is an outlet for people of color to come together and talk about anything that affects them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, November 16

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Salon” at 5 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy stimulating conversation and dining. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, November 17

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.

Tuesday, November 18

Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is a is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup. 

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Tae Kwon Do class” at 12:30. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the Center’s website. 

Wednesday, November 19

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Activism at Woman’s National Democratic Club” at 6 p.m. at The Whittemore House. Guests can join other activists at the WNDC for letter and postcard writing to get out the vote this fall in Virginia and other critical state races. Postcards will be written to women in rural VA and to members of Congress on Home Rule 101 in partnership with the D.C. Democrats Statehood Committee. There will be free pizza, cash bar, a fun raffle and camaraderie. More details are available on Eventbrite. 

Thursday, November 20

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

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