New Statue in Times Square Represents Cultural Diversity

A newly unveiled statue in Times Square is designed to encourage viewers to think about “larger cultural diversity” than what’s typically displayed in other NYC monuments.

This 12-foot bronze sculpture is inspired by Michelangelo’s “David” but aims to reflect impressions from cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and London. It’s titled “Grounded by a Star.”

Artist Thomas J. Price from London shared, “My intention for public works is to become part of where they live and their physical and material history.”

However, the statue has drawn mixed reactions online. Some have made jokes, saying, “The perfect place for pigeons to land and release their artwork.” Others express concern about the statue’s representation. One comment noted that “Body Mass Index (BMI) often predicts various health issues associated with obesity.”

Another user humorously remarked that it looked like “a realistic representation of a girl at Chipotle after asking for another pepper in her burrito bowl.”

Yet another person criticized its aesthetic appeal, stating, “These statues are ugly.” Others commented on how the piece seemed to dilute serious issues, saying, “This simply softens politics, ignores real health effects, and makes actual art cheaper.”

Another user quipped, “I knew there were false idols at the end, but I didn’t know they were fat Mami.” A mix of humor and critique seems to define the online discourse surrounding the statue.

Exhibition Details

“Grounded by a Star” will be on display until June 17th. For those interested, images of the statue can be found through various news reports online.