This statue of Kurt Cobain was sculpted 20 years ago, shortly after his death, but was recently officially dedicated by his hometown of Aberdeen, Washington as part of their Kurt Cobain Day celebration. It is very, very bad.
Yes, any statue honoring Cobain — a musician who was famously conflicted about fame, who once said that if he went to jail, at least he wouldn’t have to sign autographs — is bound to be bad. This somehow manages to exceed all expectations The catalog of grungy sadsack stereotypes on display is almost impressive in its comprehensiveness. The jeans are ripped at the knee. The posture is hunched. The sticklike arms drape limply over the guitar, without a trace of the intensity that defined tunes like, uh, “I Hate Myself and Want to Die.” The head hangs, dejected. A single tear rolls down the cheek.
What’s even funnier — sadder? — is this local news report, spotted by Stereogum, covering the day’s festivities. In case you were wondering what kind of affair you’re into, the anchor makes it clear from his opening sentences: “Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, was a well-known heroin addict who shot himself. Tonight, his hometown of Aberdeen is honoring him.”
“We hope this is just as big as Graceland,” says Aberdeen Mayor Bill Simpson at the end of the report, before waiting a beat and cracking a smile. “Eventually.”
