After receiving extensive criticism, artist Oliviero Rainaldi made some alterations to his statue of the late Pope John Paul II, unveiling the new, slightly changed statue to the public recently. Take a look at the before and after, and see what critics and supporters say about the changes.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/9687891/Pope-John-Paul-II-statue-re-unveiled-following-Mussolini-criticism.html
I've always kinda liked the statue, but totally understand why others don't. He was a beloved person and people want to remember them as he was, not how an artist interprets him. While I don't agree that the sculpture is bad, I can see why the religious faithful would not appreciate the new look of their pope.
I suppose, though, that is the challenge of public art, especially if you're looking for something unique...They could have found any random guy to make a lifelike bronze that's exactly the same as a billion bronze sculptures from across history, or they could go for something unique that would attract attention, good or bad.
I think, at the very least, they went the more interesting route...and for public art, that's, to some degreee, all you can ask for.
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