The Pagans are angry

Oh, Oh or as Homer might say D'oh!

A publicity stunt tied in for the launch of the Simpson's movie on July 27th has riled a number of pagan groups in England, annoyed that a nearly nude version of Homer is resting beside the the Cerne Abbas Giant, which dates back to the 17th century and is revered by pagans as a talisman of fertilitiy.

A spokeswoman for the group has denounced the Homer artwork as an eyesore, "very disrespectful and not at all aesthetically pleasing."

We suspect they won't be in the line at the local cineplex on July 27th.

D'oh! Massive Homer Simpson next to fertility symbol riles pagans
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 12:19 PM ET
CBC Arts

A massive chalk drawing of a nearly nude Homer Simpson, sitting in the English countryside next to an ancient fertility landmark, has raised the ire of a British group.

Created by artist Peter Stuart, the 70- by 50-metre portrait depicts the famous cartoon patriarch dressed only in a pair of briefs and hoisting a beloved doughnut.

A giant image of cartoon dad Homer Simpson has been painted next to the 17th century giant carved in the hillside above Cerne Abbas in southern England. (Beatwax/Associated press)
The Homer drawing sits neighbouring the Cerne Abbas Giant, the famed British landmark featuring a nude, club-wielding male figure carved into the natural chalk ground (located underneath the topsoil) on the hill above Cerne Abbas in Dorset.

Dating from at least the 17th century, the Giant is revered by pagans as a symbol of fertility.
In ancient times, some travelled to the Cerne Abbas to view the figure and pray for a child. Over the years, couples struggling to conceive have also been rumoured to sneak up the hill — now a protected site that tourists must view from below — for a romantic liaison.

Stuart, a fan of the long running TV series The Simpsons, began working on the massive Homer portrait — which uses water-based, biodegradable paint — early Sunday morning. He was commissioned by the publicity team behind The Simpsons Movie, set for release July 27.

However, the Homer drawing, its location and the accompanying encouragement for young couples to "do it in the doughnut" have angered members of the Pagan Federation.

A spokeswoman for the group has denounced the Homer artwork as an eyesore, "very disrespectful and not at all aesthetically pleasing."

Ann Bryn-Evans, the foundation's joint Wessex district manager, has told various news outlets the group will attempt "some rain magic" in hopes it will soon wash the offending portrait away.

The team promoting the upcoming Simpsons movie have engaged in a headline-grabbing campaign in the lead-up to the film's release.

They transformed a number of 7-11 convenience stores in North America into the Kwik-E-Mart store depicted on the show, and they have run a contest to pick which U.S. town of Springfield — one of the country's most common town names and home to TV's Simpson family — would host the film's premiere.