These days, diplomacy has become a rare currency for the USA: having withdrawn from numerous international treaties and committed far too many diplomatic blunders, its reputation continues to sink around the world. It's so bad, in fact, that US diplomacy is regarded in Beijing as being pretty much in the toilet.
Chinese netizens are expressing disgust and revulsion in reaction to the unveiling of a new stainless steel sculpture at the US Embassy Beijing that is being compared to a sex toy.
Called Connecting, the 31-foot-high (9.1-meter) sculpture is the work of American artist Martin Puryear who was on hand on Tuesday to explain that the artwork represents goodwill and earnestness between the people of China and the USA, reported China Daily.
First commissioned in 2008 by the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE), it has taken a decade for Puryear's vision to manifest in China. However, even with the US Embassy's exhortations that "art connects you and me" in their official Weibo post of the unveiling, Chinese netizens are making their own interpretations of the sculpture.
Called "ugly as sin," multiple Chinese netizens have made the same conclusion about Puryear's sculpture. "This is a gate made out of anal beads; it's telling you to go home and play 'snake,'" said one commenter while another simply said it is "for butt play." Shy commenters who wanted to be less overt over their references said things like, "Is this a Japanese product?" and that it "reminds me of a product I once saw on Taobao."
Is this a Japanese product?
When not compared to a sex toy, a minority of responses likened Puryear's sculpture to an "intestinal obstruction."
Chinese netizens have traditionally not been very receptive towards modern art and design, and are known to familiarize themselves with new skyscrapers by simplifying them into household objects like the "big underpants" and the "bottle opener."
On the other hand, the Beijing-specific over-sized installation seems oblivious to its similarities to a Chinese gated entrance, a formal Chinese architectural custom that requires symmetry and a welcoming position at the front of compounds instead of a place tucked away in the back, leading nowhere.
At odds with its audience, the cold Chinese reception of the latest art installation is out of step with the soft power success achieved by the US Embassy with other art programs.
First implemented by US President John F. Kennedy, the Art in Embassies program has incorporated American artwork into the US diplomatic mission for over 50 years. At less than half a percent of the department's budget, the program has been responsible for displaying some 5,000 works in about 200 residences in 180 countries, culminating locally with the installation of Jeff Koons' iconic and balloon-like Tulips in front of the US Embassy in Beijing (shown below).
Aside from provoking a bum response to Puryear's sculpture, the US has been prone to making diplomatic snafus around the world over the past year.
US ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra contradicted himself when he denied using the term "fake news" seconds after using the term during a recorded interview last December. And just recently, US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell managed to offend his hosts mere hours after his new appointment by issuing a threatening tweet to German companies.
Whether or not these missteps have had a global impact, there has been a marked difference in the way China has viewed different US ambassadors of late.
Back in 2011, Gary Locke greatly impressed the Chinese public with the modest act of purchasing a Starbucks coffee by himself – even before he began his tenure as US ambassador to China. On the other hand, few people noticed US ambassador Terry Branstad's modest return to Beijing this past week, seen making the trip frugally without any handlers.
With such a gap between the way the US is viewed in China over separate administrations, it's not likely that an abstract work of art can effectively bridge the difference. For although Puryear left no ambiguity over the meaning of his artwork, it may all be for nothing when considering there isn't much of any kind connection that remains between China and the USA.
But now, with Tuesday's unveiling, there is no turning back; the artwork is here to stay. For no matter what butt-related connotations it will continue to have, dumping the gigantic artwork will require a massive hassle.
Images: US Embassy Beijing (via weibo.com), ChinaDaily.com.cn
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