A 45-foot tall statue of a nude woman has been unveiled at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza, drawing both praise and backlash. The towering sculpture, called R-Evolution, was revealed on April 10 with a light show, music, and performance art. Created by artist Marco Cochrane, the piece was originally showcased at the Burning Man festival in 2015. Now placed outside the Ferry Building, it’s meant to symbolize strength, awareness, and freedom for all individuals, especially women.
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Made from steel rods and mesh, the statue weighs over 13,000 pounds, with another 16,000 pounds used to anchor it. It includes a motorized feature that simulates breathing for one hour each day. The sculpture is also lit from within at night, giving it an ethereal glow. Cochrane said the statue aims to highlight the lack of female representation in public art. It is backed by the Sijbrandij Foundation, with support from the city’s Recreation and Parks Department and the Port of San Francisco.
Although the statue’s message is one of empowerment, reactions have been mixed. Many residents took to social media to express their disapproval. One viral video posted by influencer Collin Rugg showed a cherry picker positioned awkwardly under the statue, leading to jokes and memes. A user wrote, “Nothing says ‘reviving downtown’ like a 45-foot naked lady getting rear-end surgery.” Others compared the statue to ancient empires before their fall.
Criticism wasn’t limited to the internet. Local political figures also chimed in. Bruce Lou, who once ran against Nancy Pelosi, criticized the city’s priorities. “They’re focused on everything except what really matters,” she said. Lou also questioned Pelosi’s connection to the city, claiming she spends most of her time in Washington, D.C.
John Denis, former San Francisco GOP chair, was more direct. “The city named after St. Francis is now dominated by a feminist, anti-male agenda,” he told the New York Post. He added, “A giant, naked woman blocking the proud, iconic Ferry Building is a perfect metaphor for San Francisco these days.”
Arts editor Sarah Hotchkiss also shared her take in a KQED article titled Nobody Asked for This. “I felt embarrassed for the city,” she wrote. “We’re all the audience for this thing, and no one asked us if we wanted it.”
Originally, the sculpture was planned for Union Square. However, city officials decided the area couldn’t support its weight. It was then relocated to Embarcadero Plaza as part of efforts to revitalize the waterfront. Elaine Forbes, executive director of the Port of San Francisco, defended the move. “Public art has the power to enrich our shared spaces,” she said. “It can deepen our connection to the city and make the waterfront more inviting.”
The statue is part of Cochrane’s Bliss Project, a series of sculptures that challenge how society views the female form. Cochrane said the sculpture’s aim is to inspire a shift in public art and encourage conversations about equality.
The statue will remain in place for at least six months, with the possibility of extending its stay up to a year. Whether seen as bold art or misplaced symbolism, R-Evolution has undeniably stirred strong feelings in San Francisco—putting the city, once again, in the national spotlight.
