Latest news with #R-Evolution
Los Angeles Times
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
12 things you probably haven't done in San Francisco — but should ASAP
Maybe you've heard about San Francisco's doom loop. But have you met its jumbo nude? As just about any San Franciscan could tell you, 'doom loop' is shorthand for the city's post-pandemic troubles. Many of those worries stem from dwindling demand for office space, but would-be visitors have also been nervous about crime and withering retail energy. That brings us to the jumbo nude. It's a 45-foot, semi-translucent sculpture of a woman now standing at the foot of Market Street, officially named R-Evolution. Not everyone loves her, but she is one among many new or improved elements attracting locals and visitors these days. Even with San Francisco's office vacancy rate hovering around 35%, the sun keeps rising and visitors keep smiling, most of them, much of the time. Make your way to the city and you can see major park upgrades at the Presidio and Ocean Beach. Or you can frolic among massive balloon installations, vintage photo booths and '60s artifacts in permanent and pop-up places that bill themselves as museums. There's also the prospect of a new 'bay lights' show with 50,000 illumination points on the Bay Bridge. (Those lights were supposed to be on by now, but installation snags led to a delay; organizers say they're hoping to be ready 'sometime this fall .') Also, the food doesn't hurt. When our critic Bill Addison chose 101 of his favorite California restaurants recently, 35 of them were in San Francisco. Meanwhile, crime has been falling since early 2023, especially this year. Tourist arrivals are 11% behind 2019 but have grown steadily since 2021. As this list attests, there's plenty to see. But first, we should talk about a few places not on this list. One is Fisherman's Wharf. It has added a SkyStar Ferris wheel (which migrated from Golden Gate Park in 2023) and the Port of San Francisco says it will soon begin a big redevelopment, but the area remains dominated by T-shirt shops and multiple old-school restaurants that have been shuttered since the pandemic. The neighborhood was to have added a Museum of Failure this year but, not kidding, the enterprise collapsed amid an intellectual property dispute before opening. The storefront 'failure' sign was still up in June, creating the snarkiest photo op ever. Another mixed bag is Union Square , whose hotels, department stores and passing cable cars have made it the starting point for legions of tourists through the decades. The square is still pleasant by day, with young visitors drawn to assorted free games (ping-pong, badminton, cornhole) while cable cars pass, tourists line up for Big Bus tours and guests at the adjacent Beacon Grand Hotel (formerly the Sir Francis Drake) explore the neighborhood. But many key retailers have shuttered, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, and Macy's will follow. (The company has said it will close as soon as it finds a buyer for the property.) 'We feel safe here. But kind of disappointed by all the closures,' said Melinda Parker, visiting San Francisco with her husband from Boise. Also, Parker said, 'a city should be judged on the quality of its public toilets. They have one here, and it's closed.' Still, there are more than enough bright spots to light up a San Francisco visit. Let's go back for a second to Tunnel Tops, one of the city's recently improved park spaces. You grab a snack, commandeer a patio table and gaze upon the Presidio and Golden Gate. A family debate erupts over whether to hit a museum next or try an urban hike. This is a sort of problem, but a nice choice to have. And San Francisco now offers plenty like that.
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
45-Foot-Tall Statue Of Naked Woman Sparks Uproar In San Francisco, Locals Call It "Obscene"
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. A 45-foot-tall nude statue, titled R-Evolution, sparks controversy. The sculpture aims to celebrate female empowerment and challenge norms. Installed in Civic Centre Plaza, it lacked public input before placement. In the heart of San Francisco, a city long celebrated for its progressive ethos and vibrant arts scene, a new controversy has erupted over a towering 45-foot-tall statue of a naked woman, titled R-Evolution. The 32,000-pound sculpture, installed in a bustling public plaza, has ignited debate, with some internet users decrying it as "obscene" and others defending it as a bold artistic statement. As per the Sun, R-Evolution, a massive steel sculpture depicting a nude female figure with outstretched arms, was first unveiled at the 2015 Burning Man festival. Created by artist Marco Cochrane, the statue was intended to celebrate female empowerment and vulnerability, challenging societal norms around the human body. After plans to install it in New York's Union Square fell through due to its weight, the sculpture found a home in San Francisco's Civic Centre Plaza, a prominent public space near City Hall. San Francisco unveiled their 45-foot statue of a nude woman Thursday at Embarcadero Plaza to attract tourism. The piece is titled 'R-Evolution.' SF continues to be plagued by crime, homeless, and illegals. The city would have many more tourists if these issues were addressed. — Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 13, 2025 The installation, reportedly placed without public input, has rekindled discussions about art and public space. The artist and supporters argue that R-Evolution embodies San Francisco's spirit of openness and inclusivity. "The installation is meant to reflect the city's ethos of bringing people together, activating public space, and reinforcing the power of art to spark conversation," a spokesperson for the project stated. Art advocates, including members of San Francisco's arts community, have praised the sculpture for challenging societal taboos around nudity and femininity. "Art is supposed to provoke, to make us uncomfortable, to make us think. This statue does exactly that—it forces us to confront our biases about the human body and public space," said a local curator. However, the statue has drawn sharp criticism from some San Franciscans, who argue that its explicit nudity is inappropriate for a family-friendly public space. "Somebody put up a 45-foot naked lady statue in San Francisco, nobody asked for it," one X user wrote. Another user quipped, "I'd rather have another $1.7 million public restroom. Y'know, something more practical." A third said, "This isn't about art; it's about forcing a statement on people who didn't sign up for it." Others have pointed to the lack of public consultation as a point of contention, with questions raised about how such a large and provocative installation was approved without broader input. As the debate rages on, city officials have promised to hold public forums to address concerns and discuss the statue's future.
News18
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
San Francisco's 45-Foot Statue Of A Naked Woman Triggers Social Media Storm
Last Updated: The statue was installed last month with hopes it will attract more visitors and help boost economic activity in the city. San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza is home to a new, eye-catching figure – a 45-foot tall statue of a naked woman. Named R-Evolution, this steel sculpture weighs 15,000 kg and shines with multicoloured lights. Created by artist Marco Cochrane, it is the final piece in his 'The Bliss Project' series, which debuted at the Burning Man festival in 2015. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, together with The Sijbrandij Foundation and Building 180, installed the statue last month hoping it will attract more visitors and help boost economic activity in the city. Social media platforms have been buzzing with opinions. A user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, 'San Francisco unveiled their 45-foot statue of a nude woman Thursday at Embarcadero Plaza to attract tourism. The piece is titled 'R-Evolution.' SF continues to be plagued by crime, homeless and illegals. The city would have many more tourists if these issues were addressed." San Francisco unveiled their 45-foot statue of a nude woman Thursday at Embarcadero Plaza to attract tourism. The piece is titled 'R-Evolution."SF continues to be plagued by crime, homeless, and illegals. The city would have many more tourists if these issues were addressed. — Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 13, 2025 Another wrote, 'Public art is a waste of money." Public art is a waste of money.— Jakob Mi (@Jakob_Mi_) April 13, 2025 'This is not the way to attract more tourists," a comment read. Someone said, 'This is weird." 'And the point of that statue is what??" a user asked. The Recreation and Park Department defends the installation as gender representation in public art. According to their press release, 'Despite making up more than half the population, women are vastly underrepresented in public art, comprising only 8% of statues in the US. This sculpture challenges that imbalance, creating a powerful moment of visibility and reflection." R-Evolution is an impressive piece of art. Made with more than 55,000 steel welds, the statue moves slightly for one hour each day to look like it is breathing. At night, it lights up softly with colourful lights, turning Embarcadero Plaza into a beautiful spot to visit after dark. The artist Marco Cochrane explains his vision behind the sculpture: 'This sculpture is about being seen. 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." Cochrane's work focuses on empowering female figures in a way that breaks away from traditional portrayals. 'The Bliss Project' series, ending with R-Evolution, shows women not as passive objects but as powerful, self-aware beings. First Published:
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
45-foot statue of naked woman in San Francisco divides opinion: ‘Nobody asked for it'
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department hopes that a giant statue of a naked woman – erected in Embarcadero Plaza – will boost footfall and enhance economic activity in the city. But not everyone's happy about it. According to a report in The Sun, several locals have taken to social media to register their protest against the 45-foot statue of a naked woman that went up last month in San Francisco, California. The sculpture, named R-Evolution, is made of steel, illuminated with multicoloured lights, and weighs a whopping 15,000 kg. It is the third and final sculpture in Marco Cochrane's series, The Bliss Project, originally created for and debuted at the Burning Man festival in 2015. The 45-foot statue has been displayed in San Francisco through a collaboration between the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, The Sijbrandij Foundation and Building 180. According to a press release from the department, 'despite making up more than half the population, women are vastly underrepresented in public art, comprising only 8% of statues in the US. This sculpture challenges that imbalance, creating a powerful moment of visibility and reflection.' "This sculpture is about being seen," says artist Marco Cochrane. "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." The 45-foot sculpture greeting ferry visitors in San Francisco has divided opinion. Some locals say they were blindsided when the statue first appeared, others have called it obscene. 'Somebody put up a 45' naked lady statue in San Francisco, nobody asked for it. Now you have to walk between her legs to get from the Ferry building to the Embarcadero,' wrote one X user. 'They seem like they are focused on absolutely everything except the things that matter,' another said. 'A giant, naked woman blocking the proud, iconic Ferry Building is a perfect metaphor for San Francisco these days,' said Republican John Dennis.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Obscene' statue sparks outrage in US city once deemed a woke enclave as 45ft naked woman towers over major public plaza
A MASSIVE naked woman statue has triggered fury after being plonked in a busy city plaza without public input. The 45-foot-tall, 32,000-pound sculpture shows a woman with her arms standing fully nude in one of San Francisco's most iconic spots. 3 3 Locals were blindsided when it appeared at Embarcadero Plaza earlier in April. The display was allowed to skip public comment because it's privately funded, and it hasn't gone down well with everyone. 'Somebody put up a 45' naked lady statue in San Francisco, nobody asked for it,' one X user wrote. "I'd rather have another $1.7 million public restroom. Y'Know, something more practical," added another. 'Now you have to walk between her legs to get from the Ferry Building to the Embarcadero.' "This is going to block the iconic view of the Ferry Bldg. from Market St.?" someone asked. The towering figure is titled R-Evolution and was first unveiled at Burning Man in 2015. It was meant to go to New York's Union Square but was deemed too heavy for the site. As of April 2025, the sculpture is hovering over Market Street just steps away from the bay, and is expected to stay through October. Putin's mad push to revive Soviet Union with Stalin statues & Red Army cosplay - as aide insists USSR 'NEVER broke up' For one hour each day, between 5 and 6 pm, her chest slowly rises and falls due to built-in electronics. 'Who funded this dumb ass s**t?' one furious commenter asked as photos of the statue spread online. Many argue it sends a grotesque message in a city battling gentrification and displacement, Court House News reported. Local street artists were temporarily booted to make room for it. The hope is that R-Evolution will "activate the space" and create an environment that encourages foot traffic from locals and tourists alike, according to the Recreation and Parks Department. 'Public art is a vital part of San Francisco's cultural identity, embodying the city's diverse and creative spirit,' Director of Cultural Affairs Ralph Remington said in a press release. He said the installation is meant to reflect the city's spirit of "bringing people together, activating public space, and reinforcing the power of art to spark conversation, inspire connection, and revitalize our shared urban landscape.' Though pitched as a symbol of female empowerment, some have pointed out the piece wasn't even created by a woman. The artist behind R-Evolution, 63-year-old Marco Cochrane, says it's about shifting perspectives on gender and power. THE ARTIST'S STATEMENT 'My mother was a feminist,' Cochrane wrote of the sculpture on his website. 'She handed off the torch to me about bringing feminine energy into the world.' The wire sculpture is based on model Deja Solis and aims to show her "just breathing." But to some, it's simply an eyesore in the middle of a city facing big challenges. San Francisco is still struggling with empty office buildings and falling foot traffic in a post-pandemic world. More than a third of office space sits vacant, according to researchers. R-Evolution was brought in by the San Francisco Arts Association as part of a $300,000 effort to lure people downtown. The project is backed by the Sijbrandij Foundation and produced by Building 180, a female-led art organization. 3
