The installation bypassed the usual two-week public comment period required for permanent public art by the Arts Commission because it was temporary and privately funded. It was placed on the Arts Commission\u2019s agenda just 72 hours before the body voted to approve it \u2014 much to the chagrin of the work\u2019s critics<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cConsidering this statue was foisted on us with no public process, it\u2019s pretty annoying that it\u2019s going to be there longer, especially considering how gaudy and ugly it is,\u201d said Ted Barrow, an art historian. \u201cThe body is exceedingly specific and almost pornographic. It\u2019s a valorization of tech more than any enduring humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n On his website, Cochrane writes that the sculpture, which he debuted at Burning Man in 2015, is a \u201csymbol of feminine strength and liberation.\u201d Though it\u2019s not immediately obvious, the sculpture moves; inside are 16 motors that expand its chest throughout the day, slowly mimicking breath.<\/p>\n While the artist and proponents say the work champions femininity, critics have taken issue with what they describe as the promotion of unfair beauty standards, pointing to the figure\u2019s thin waist and large breasts. They have described it as obstructing the view down Market Street of the iconic Ferry Building, and as \u201cplop art<\/a>,\u201d a pejorative for works that are thoughtlessly installed in public spaces, without regard to the surroundings. They have also criticized the decision to showcase a male artist\u2019s work intended to express feminine strength.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a gallery owner who has focused much of my program on supporting female artists for nearly 12 years, I would like to see more female curators consulted for these projects,\u201d Aimee Friberg, a curator and gallerist, told The Standard in April. <\/p>\n \u201cI also would like to see foundations that have the means use their resources to shift this imbalance. If the goal is to empower women, there\u2019s a very clear way that this can happen: Engage women artists.\u201d<\/p>\n Corrections: Building 180 is a for-profit organization. The statue breathes for only one hour during the day.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/-S3840x2555-FPNG.png\"\/)
\u201cThe body is exceedingly specific and almost pornographic,\u201d said one critic. \u201dIt\u2019s a valorization of tech more than any enduring humanity.\u201d | Source: Pablo Unzueta for The Standard<\/p>\n