BY Vic Wu | Opinion
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta, is no stranger to public scrutiny. His latest public endeavor, a statue of his wife Priscilla Chan, has sparked a wave of discussion that transcends mere artistic critique. The 7-foot-tall sculpture, unveiled on Zuckerberg’s Instagram account to his 14.6 million followers, has been met with a mixture of bewilderment and criticism, particularly from within the Asian community. The choice of design and execution has led to concerns that the artwork unintentionally reinforces harmful stereotypes, portraying Chan in a manner that aligns more closely with an alien being than with the classical beauty and reverence traditionally associated with statues of loved ones.
Alienating or Artistic?
The statue in question is striking, though not necessarily for the reasons one might expect. With a greenish-blue complexion and a cold silver, mylar blanket-like, covering that envelops her body, the figure of Priscilla Chan exudes an otherworldly aura. The emotionless expression on her face, coupled with the alien-like aesthetic, has led some to draw parallels between the statue and the caricatures often used to depict Asian individuals as “other” in Western media. This perception is further compounded by the statue’s resemblance to common depictions of extraterrestrial beings, inadvertently aligning with the unfortunate stereotype of Asians as outsiders.
The critique here isn’t solely based on the visual qualities of the statue but rather on the cultural implications that arise from it. In a time when the representation of Asians in media is scrutinized for its accuracy and sensitivity, the statue’s portrayal of Chan as an alien figure is seen by some as tone-deaf, despite any good intentions behind its creation. This concern is amplified by the context of ongoing discussions about the portrayal of Asians in popular culture, where they are frequently depicted as villains or as fundamentally different from the mainstream.
A Nod to Roman Tradition?
”Bringing back the Roman tradition of sculpting your wife,” Mark Zuckerberg wrote on Instagram when unveiling this unusual work of art to the world.
Zuckerberg’s decision to commission a statue of his wife is indeed reminiscent of the practices of wealthy Romans, who often commissioned sculptures to celebrate their wives’ beauty and elevate their status. However, while Roman statues aimed to glorify and idealize the subject, Zuckerberg’s statue diverges sharply from this tradition. Classical Roman sculptures were designed to evoke reverence and admiration, often depicting the subject in a godly or divine manner. In contrast, the statue of Chan, with its alien-like features, evokes confusion and detachment rather than admiration.
This raises an important question: how does this modern interpretation of a classical tradition reflect on its subject? Although Chan responded on Instagram with the comment, “The more of me, the better?” one doesn’t get the sense that she was entirely pleased with the artwork. It’s likely that most women would prefer not to be immortalized in such an “alien” way.
While the statue was undoubtedly intended as a personal gift, its public display invites widespread interpretation and critique. The Washington Post remarked, ‘Daniel Arsham’s statue of Priscilla Chan is bad,‘ while The San Francisco Standard suggested, ‘It’s a safe bet that it won’t be among the top bid items whenever the Chan-Zuckerberg estate hits auction.’ Meanwhile, Business Insider quoted a therapist who called it a ‘red flag.’ This reception suggests that the artistic endeavor may have missed the mark, failing to capture the essence traditionally associated with such statues.
A Missed Opportunity
When a public figure like Zuckerberg shares a personal gift on such a wide platform, it inevitably crosses the boundary from private to public. By sharing the statue with tens of millions, Zuckerberg has opened the door to public discourse, and with it, the responsibility to consider the broader cultural implications of his choices. The Asian community, in particular, may feel alienated by this representation, seeing it as yet another instance of being portrayed as different or other.
This could have been an opportunity for Zuckerberg to commission a work that not only honored his wife but also celebrated her heritage in a meaningful way. Asia boasts a rich tradition of sculpture, with artists capable of creating intricate and awe-inspiring works. A collaboration with a renowned Asian sculptor could have produced a piece that reflected both the beauty and strength of Chan, while also embodying cultural pride and artistic excellence.
For instance, Chinese artist Luo Li Rong creates life-size bronze sculptures of women, drawing inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque techniques. As Bored Panda notes, “Her statues are often captured in motion, with their dresses or garments seemingly fluttering in the breeze around them, and the artist’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that every crease and fold is precisely where it should be.”
There are many artists of Rong’s caliber across Asia who could have turned Priscilla Chan into a beautiful bronze masterpiece, far surpassing Daniel Arsham’s greenish-blue effigy.
A Question of Sensitivity
While Mark Zuckerberg’s statue of Priscilla Chan may have been intended as a personal and meaningful gift, its public unveiling has invited criticism that cannot be ignored. The statue’s alien-like aesthetic, combined with its broader cultural implications, suggests that this was a missed opportunity to create a work of art that truly honors its subject. Instead of celebrating Chan’s identity and heritage, the statue risks perpetuating harmful stereotypes and alienating the very community it might have sought to uplift.
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