For decades, a statue of communist leader Vladimir Lenin stood prominently in Odessa, Ukraine, as a symbol of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party that controlled the country for so long.
But no more.
The statue wasn't just removed, though. It was officially scheduled by Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko for "decommunization," where statues and images of Lenin and other communist leaders of the past are officially removed or, in this case, given a makeover. It's like a snarkier version of this heirloom refurbishing.
Sculptor and producer Alexandr Milov was tasked to transform Lenin, a symbol of Ukraine's strained, tumultuous relationship with Russia, into something, well, totally different.
His work is proof that art, even cheeky art, can have a huge impact on the public, and make a definitive political and social statement — all while being pretty hilarious. Of course, like any piece of art, it's probably going to generate some controversy.
Do you think giving Lenin a makeover was a good idea, or do you think it could have been handled differently? Let us know in the comments!
(h/t: BoredPanda, Dumskaya, Meduza)
This was the original statue of Vladimir Lenin, which stood in Odessa for many years. Depending on their politics, people had various feelings about it. It was, after all this time, also in disrepair.
Today, though, the statue is looking a little... different. With the help of artist Alexandr Milov, the statue has been "decommunized," and turned into Darth Vader. It was unveiled last week.
And yes, the president of the country actually ordered this. The statue was originally slated to be demolished, but workers at a nearby factory suggested it be redesigned instead.
And this isn't just a funny statue: it's also a Wi-Fi hotspot, with a router built into Vader's helmet. The original statue of Lenin remains intact inside its new, sturdier exterior.
It seems like the people of Odessa are pleased with the change. "Everything flows, everything changes, in place of the old characters come new, and so the world turns," said one of the people involved with its installation.
So, who do you think was the better leader, Lenin or Vader? Which statue would you rather look at? All we know is that "Meet me at the Darth Vader statue" is a pretty cool way of setting a lunch date.
This statue might stir some controversy, but it's also proof that life really can get pretty surreal sometimes. See what your friends think by SHARING this article!
