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Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Grounded In The Stars' Times Square Statue Sparks Social Media Debate
A statue of a Black woman that was placed in Times Square in New York City last month is now at the center of digital discourse. The 12-foot bronze figure, named Grounded in the Stars, is by visual artist Thomas J Price. According to the Times Square website, Price uses artwork to confront preconceived notions of identity and representation. As described by Times Square, 'Grounded in the Stars was made to disrupt traditional ideas around what defines a triumphant figure and challenges who should be rendered immortal through monumentalization.'The woman depicted in the statue is a Black woman wearing braids. She is poised upright in a subtle nod to Michelangelo's David, with her hands on her hips, wearing everyday, casual clothing. Her body is arguably the physique of the average woman. 'Times Square stands as an iconic symbol and site of convergence, uniting people from all walks of life, individual stories, and experiences intersecting on a global platform,' relayed Price. Times Square Arts will also present Price's stop-motion animations Man Series on the district's billboards nightly in May as a part of the Midnight Moment program. 'The intention of my public works is to become part of the place they inhabit and its physical, material history, as well as the visitors that pass through and around the location, no matter how fleeting. I hope Grounded in the Stars and Man Series will instigate meaningful connections and bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity.' Despite Price's seemingly good motives, on social media, Grounded in the Stars has been the subject of racist hate and additional critique from people who feel the statue is a misrepresentation. 'Who is this woman?' questioned Fox News host Jesse Watters in a news broadcast. 'What did she do to get a statue? A nice one, too!' He continued to answer his own question and exclaimed, 'Nothing. This isn't a real person. It's a DEI statue.' One user on X shared a petition to have the artwork removed. They wrote, 'Trying to explain to Black women why the statue is a set up and harmful feels like talking to a wall. I'm genuinely struggling to understand how they don't see that we're being mocked, not honored.' Another suggested, 'And they want us to believe that #statue isn't a mockery???' as they shared a clip of a group of Black women dancing. They further explained their opinion, 'A man with a white mother and white wife made that statue. He has no idea what an accurate representation of a Black woman is. He doesn't even have ANY relation to Black women.' One account declared, 'Woke culture strikes again. It's not art; it's activism. It's the left turning public spaces into a battleground for their agenda. Real culture doesn't need to be shoved down our throats.' Still, the debate was not without rebuttal. 'They mad at a statue of an everyday Black woman because it looks like an everyday Black woman. Just say y'all hate yourselves,' shared one user in reaction to the discourse. 'Plenty of black women look like that statue, my aunties, my teachers, the lady at the bank. That represents so many of our mothers and sisters. Y'all only desire to be sexualized. You don't wanna f**k the statue so it's not acceptable, but go outside. You see her everywhere,' asserted one account. 'I had a Black Woman comment under my video defending that statue that she looked like a 'stressed and tired single mother,'' explained one user. 'I genuinely didn't realize so many of yall thought so lowly of your own people, and ultimately yourselves. Cus HOW did that come to your mind…?!' Grounded In the Stars is set to remain on display at Broadway and 46th Street through June 17, 2025. 'If these fictional characters are from a gender or perceived race that you have decided should not be at this level, and suddenly you see them presented in their gloriousness, it challenges people's internal landscapes,' expanded Price in an interview with The Art Newspaper. 'But this is so important for us to do, we should all be doing this to ourselves daily. So this is my little gesture to present an opportunity for people to question their assumptions about the world we live in.' Read some of the digital discourse below. More from Jay-Z, Roc Nation Share Times Square Casino Plans In Open Letter Jay-Z, Roc Nation Join Investors To Open Times Square Casino Jeopardy Contestant Recalls Kanye West's Post-Amber Rose, Pre-Kim Kardashian Date
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
New statue sparks outrage in Times Square:: All you need to know
A new statue in the heart of Times Square is drawing both praise and criticism, sparking a fierce debate over public art, identity, and cultural representation . Unveiled on April 29 and on display until June 17, the 12-foot-tall bronze figure, titled Grounded in the Stars , was created by British artist Thomas J Price as part of a broader installation that includes animated billboard works known as the Man Series. The project is presented by Times Square Arts and aims to challenge traditional monuments while highlighting individual worth and marginalised identities. Depicting a fictional Black woman in casual clothing, with braided hair and a neutral expression, the statue stands firmly on a low base between the permanent statues of Father Francis P. Duffy and George M. Cohan. Price intentionally placed his work in contrast to the traditional, white male figures that dominate such public spaces. Operation Sindoor Pak to deploy students in case of war with India? What Khawaja Asif said Abu Jundal, Yusuf Azhar & more: 5 key Pakistani terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor Entry to airports banned, ATMs closed & more such news: Govt says 'fake news' He describes the woman's stance—with hands on hips and a contrapposto posture—as a subtle nod to Michelangelo's David, representing strength, calm, and reflection. According to his website, the character is not modelled on a specific person but rather drawn from real-world observations and public submissions spanning cities like London and Los Angeles. The official Times Square website describes the sculpture as an effort to reimagine both monument and monumentality. It says the work invites a moment of empathy and reflection amidst the frenetic pace of the city. 'The woman in Grounded in the Stars cuts a stark contrast to the pedestalled permanent monuments both white, both men which bookend Duffy Square,' the site notes, calling it 'an introspective meditation on humanity. ' But while organisers view the sculpture as a celebration of diversity and individuality, online reaction has been sharply divided. Some social media users have mocked the statue's appearance, arguing that it reinforces stereotypes rather than confronting them. Others have gone further, accusing the piece of advancing identity politics instead of honouring shared values. Critics have compared the figure to a caricature, with some drawing an unflattering likeness to New York Attorney General Letitia James. Many were also sceptical of the comparison to Michelangelo's David. Still, for many onlookers, especially tourists and residents of colour, the statue offers a meaningful and relatable image. One visitor from Dallas said the statue made her think about how much it would have meant to her as a child to see such representation. Another described it as 'powerful' and 'purposeful,' praising its commanding presence in a traditionally white-dominated public space.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
12-Foot Bronze Statue of Woman in Times Square 'Challenges Who Should be Rendered Immortal'
Thomas J Price is garnering attention for his latest art installation in New York City's Times Square The 12-foot bronze statue of a young woman in everyday clothes stands with confidence, a nod to Michelangelo's 'David' The British artist said he wants to 'bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity"In New York City's Times Square, a woman stands with ease and confidence amidst throngs of tourists. She just happens to be 12-feet tall. The bronze statue, entitled 'Grounded in the Stars,' is one of two art installations by British artist Thomas J Price, whose work is challenging people's assumptions about identity and representation. Creating a moment for reflection in the frenetic, body-filled public space, the young woman — dressed in contemporary clothes, but posed like Michelangelo's 'David' — has caught the attention of the art world and passersby alike. 'The intention of my public works is to become part of the place they inhabit and its physical, material history, as well as the visitors that pass through and around the location, no matter how fleeting,' Price said in a statement posted on Times Square's website. 'Grounded in the Stars" will be on view until Tuesday, June 17, at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and 46th Street. The artist did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. 'Through scale, materiality, and posture, 'Grounded in the Stars' disrupts traditional ideas around what defines a triumphant figure,' reads the installation description, 'and challenges who should be rendered immortal through monumentalization.' Price's other work, 'Man Series,' involves stop-motion animation of the heads of sculpted male figures that appear on 95 screens in the square every night from 11:57 p.m. to midnight through the month of May. It's the latest iteration of Times Square's revered 'Midnight Moment' program, which has featured artists such as Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono. Price hopes both works — which contrast with the neighboring statues of playwright George M. Cohan and priest Francis P. Duffy, both white men — will inspire connection. The artist said he wants to 'bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity.' Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Grounded in the Stars' is a fictionalized person stemming from observations and open calls that have taken place from London to Los Angeles, according to the Times Square website. Price has used the same method to create the five bronze figures featured in his exhibition 'Resilience of Scale' at Hauser & Wirth gallery in New York City, which runs until Saturday, June 14. 'If these fictional characters are from a gender or perceived race that you have decided should not be at this level,' Price told The Art Newspaper, 'and suddenly you see them presented in their gloriousness, it challenges people's internal landscapes.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Times Square touts new statue of 12-foot-tall Black woman as 'stark contrast' to statues of White men
New York City's Times Square installed a statue of a 12-foot-tall Black woman in casual clothing that its creator hopes will encourage people to reflect on "greater cultural diversity." New York-based Times Square Arts recently put up the new statue display, titled "Grounded in the Stars," by artist Thomas J Price, along with his "Man Series" animated billboards, both of which are temporary, but causing a stir online. The Times Square website states, "Price's multi-channel presentation on the screens and sculptural installation on the plaza below forms a two-part takeover in Times Square that foregrounds the intrinsic value of the individual and amplifies traditionally marginalized bodies on a monumental scale." Trump Vows To Bring Columbus Day Back 'From The Ashes' "Times Square stands as an iconic symbol and site of convergence, uniting people from all walks of life, individual stories, and experiences intersecting on a global platform. The intention of my public works is to become part of the place they inhabit and its physical, material history, as well as the visitors that pass through and around the location, no matter how fleeting," Price said in a statement in the press release. "I hope Grounded in the Stars and Man Series will instigate meaningful connections and bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity." Price's official website notes that he has spent decades "tacitly dissecting both implicit and explicit expressions of anti-Blackness." Read On The Fox News App For this particular sculpture, Price's website explained, "both her stature and her unbothered gaze are markers of status and authority; this is a figure who understands her worth." The Times Square website noted that the large Black woman statue is not one particular woman, but is made as a contrast to other sculptures, including "a subtle nod to Michelangelo's David" with its posture. The website also said that "the woman in Grounded in the Stars cuts a stark contrast to the pedestaled permanent monuments — both white, both men — which bookend Duffy Square, while embodying a quiet gravity and grandeur." Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture The statues of historic White men in Times Square are of Father Francis P. Duffy, the most decorated chaplain in Army history who served in World War I and the Spanish-American War, and playwright George M. Cohan, who composed iconic American works such as "You're a Grand Old Flag" and is credited for laying the groundwork for Broadway as a center for the performing arts. American statues and holidays have become a frequent source of controversy, as progressives create new monuments while tearing down those of figures from the past. The "Grounded in the Stars" display, placed on April 29, will be removed in mid-June. The Times Square website noted that support for the Grounded in the Stars display is "provided in part by the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, Morgan Stanley, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and additional in-kind support from the Times Square Edition Hotel."Original article source: Times Square touts new statue of 12-foot-tall Black woman as 'stark contrast' to statues of White men
Mint
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
GIANT 12-feet bronze statue of black woman installed in New York's Times Square. It's called ‘Grounded in the Stars'
A massive 12-feet bronze statue of a black woman has been erected at the bustling Times Square in New York City, and will be on display till June 17, 2025. Created by Thomas J Price, the artwork is titled 'Grounded in the Stars' and has been installed at the Broadway & 46th Street, according to the Times Square website. The installation, according to the site, is part of Times Square Arts Projects, and was erected on April 29, 2025. According to a Black Enterprise report, Price aimed to 'encapsulate the observations, images and open calls of New York, Los Angeles, and London'. The report calls the news installation as a 'subtle nod to Michelangelo's David and captures familiar everyday qualities through the woman's stance, countenance, and clothing'. 'I hope Grounded in the Stars and Man Series will instigate meaningful connections and bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity,' the report quoted the London-based figurative artist as saying. Price said that the intention of his public works is to become part of the place they inhabit and its physical, material history, as well as the visitors 'that pass through and around the location, no matter how fleeting'. A 45-foot naked steel statue of a woman – weighing around 32,000 pounds – was installed in San Francisco, US, on April 10 and is set to remain in place for at least six months, with the possibility of an extension up to one year. The work, R-Evolution, is meant to symbolise female empowerment and strength, Independent reported. The artist behind the masterpiece, Marco Cochrane, said in an interview with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Agency, 'Women's presence in public art is rare. When they are depicted, it is often through outdated or passive narratives. R-Evolution challenges that. She stands strong, aware, and grounded—calling for a world where all people can walk freely and without fear.' R-Evolution is constructed from 55,000 welds of steel rod and tubing, with an additional 16,000 pounds of steel anchoring it securely. The sculpture features an internal mechanism that simulates breathing for one hour each day and is illuminated from within during the night.
