Not mocking, Catholic statue of Mary: The earrings gave me pause
I'm *lapsed* and consider myself a secular humanist, but still have a bit of nostalgia the way the generations after Henry VIII's split from the church pined for "the olde religion." So there was this news item about a newly commissioned statue of Mary and first the CONVENTIONAL "beauty" of the features struck me, but then the *earrings* - talk about high maintenance!1 Would a celestial being need further adornment over and above the presumed state of ineffable otherness?
I did a small Google on Athena and, while her depictions include crownlike helmets, the quick Search brought up no earrings. Just, hmmm.
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I can't remember if she had ear rings or not. From the photo it could be her hair.
She and little Nike are pretty cool up close. 
The only time that I know of that the statue was off limits or unable to be viewed was when artists were working on it after the initial installation.
It went from this:
To this:
like the Time Life's artist's rendition of the statue (Greece, page 115). I'd scan and upload but supper is calling.
... the flares being thought of as 'spiritual conduits'.
There are Tree of Life, fertility and protection symbols on the statue, and the crescent shape at her feet in this photo is similar to the naja squash blossom design.
In my opinion, the ancient design is a cultural artifact of Mayan ear-flares (ear plugs) signifying a spiritual conduit. Imagine the flares as amplifying 'hearing the cries of the world'. Here is one form of an ancient ear-flare. It looks like the top of the earrings the statue is wearing.
Here is another version of an ear-flare:
Ear-flares evolved into hoop earrings, but the design elements remain. An artist creating a modern icon for a culture, would be familiar with that culture's visual language.
Tonanzin transformed into Our Lady of Guadalupe
Of his previous project, the Stations of the Cross at the same shrine, the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine in San Juan, Texas, depicted by life sized statues. These sculptures look much simpler, but the amount of work that must have gone into creating this is astonishing! 
Video:
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http://catholicliturgicalarts.blogspot.com/2016/05/in-memory-of-our-dear-friend-edmund.html
In Memory of Our Dear Friend Edmund Rabanser
May 28 2016
It was nearly half a century ago when Rudolf Rohn discovered a brilliant young artisan who had the God-given talent of carving masterpieces out of wood. Rudolph had such great faith in this young woodcarver he presented him with his first large commission. That brilliant artisan was Edmund Rabanser and he became one of the preeminent master woodcarvers in the world.
Today, it is with heartfelt sympathy that Rolf Rohn informs you that this brilliant artisan, trusted colleague and dear friend, has passed away. Rolf and his team have had the pleasure and honor of working with Edmund on projects around the world. He was an artist who took pride in creating magnificent one-of-a-kind works of art using simple Old World craftsmanship in his treasured Ortisei studio, in his home overlooking the Italian Alps.
Edmund’s work is proudly displayed in churches across the globe, including these in collaboration with our studio:
USCCB Chapel in Washington DC – Crucifix
Holy Family Institute in Pittsburgh, PA – Holy Family statue and Saint with Children
Chapel of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio TX – Crucifix and low relief carvings with the history of the congregation
Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Houston TX – Crucifix and saint statues in the Narthex
St. John Neumann, Austin TX – Crucifix
Church of the Resurrection, Rio Rancho, NM – Crucifix
Bishop's Ricken Chapel in Green Bay – Cimbaue Cross and Tabernacle
Basilica of Our Lady of St. Juan del Valle National Shrine, San Juan, TX – Life-size bronze Stations of the Cross
Blessed Sacrament Church, Alexandria – Crucifix
St. Joseph Parish, York, PA – Emmaus carving sanctuary wall
Father of Mercy Chapel, Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., Toronto, OH – Carved sanctuary wall
St. Louise of Marillac, Pittsburgh, PA – Sanctuary wall and tabernacle door
St. James Cathedral, Orlando, FL - Crucifix
He is survived by his wife, Concetta; three children, George, Oskar and Helen; and six grandchildren
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