To some, it’s just a statue; to others, it’s a symbol of sexual assault. For 28 years, the statue of Dalida, located in Montmartre, has been a source of controversy. Recently restored by the City of Paris, the statue had been discolored by the thousands of wandering hands of tourists touching her chest over the years… So, is it simply a work of art or a genuine social issue? We’ll explain!
The Dalida bust: daily acts of vandalism for over 20 years
Created by sculptor Aslan to mark the 10th anniversary of the singer’s death, the Dalida bust is located in Montmartre. This was a place very dear to the artist, as she lived just a few meters from the very spot where the bust stands today.
Originally bronze in color, a strange “tradition” has gradually altered its hue. In fact, the dark brown has progressively turned golden in one very specific spot: her chest! The reason? An old superstition that touching Dalida’s breasts brings good luck.
She’s not the only one to suffer constant unwanted groping… Across Europe, several statues depicting women are subjected to the same treatment, such as “The Woman of the Rhine” in Berlin or “Molly Malone” in Dublin… to such an extent that a real question has begun to emerge in discussions: where does tradition end and the trivialization of sexual assault begin?
Just a tradition or a trivialization of sexual assault?
That’s the question artist Luz asked herself when she created a custom-made “armor” for the Dalida bust on March 8. Adorned with several mirrors, this “corset” was designed so that “the aggressor would see their reflection in the mirror.” Inscriptions inviting self-reflection were written around these mirrors: “Look at what you’re doing; look at yourself.”
Finally, to further deter removal, needles were placed all over the bust as well as in the fastening mechanism to delay its removal. The corset was eventually removed at 10:50 a.m. by a passerby on March 8…
During the last week of July, the City of Paris began restoration work to restore the bust’s original patina, aiming to return the artwork to its original appearance. Visitors from around the world were thus able to see a uniform bust… which displeased the artist’s brother, Orlando, who doesn’t understand the controversy surrounding the artwork. Speaking on RTL, he explained that this “affectionate” gesture toward Dalida’s chest is meant to “bring good luck” and that the breasts may represent a protective and maternal figure for those who touch them…
In a recent statement, the city announced its intention to continue“exploring the best way to pay tribute to Dalida” on the 40th anniversary of her death, in 2027. Stay tuned for updates!