In a universe where any gesture by tech upper class is exhaustively parsed and each Instagram post becomes a headline, Mark Zuckerberg’s latest foray into the art world has raised eyebrows — not least because it involves a seven-foot-tall statue of his wife, Priscilla Chan, shining like a Roman goddess who wandered onto the set of a sci-fi blockbuster. Yes, the CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), often criticized for his robotic affect, has shown that beneath that data-driven exterior beats the heart of an unapologetic “wife guy.” And what better way to express your love than by commissioning a giant, metallic likeness of your spouse?
Unveiled in a casual Instagram post that made it seem like just another Wednesday in the Zuckerberg-Chan household, the statue immediately captured the collective imagination of the internet. There she stood — Priscilla Chan, swathed in flowing silver fabric that appeared to be part ancient Roman toga and part liquid-metal T-1000 from “Terminator 2.” If this isn’t an epic love story, then what is? Forget jewelry or love letters; Zuck has taken public displays of affection to new heights — quite literally.
In a world where grand gestures often get reduced to hashtags and TikTok trends, Zuckerberg’s decision to “bring back the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife” feels both sincere and gloriously over-the-top. I mean, why say you love her when you can immortalize her in seven feet of shiny stuff? This isn’t just any marriage flex; it’s visible from across the lawn or maybe even space if you catch it at the right angle.
The internet had a blast, obviously. Comparisons to sci-fi classics like the T-1000 and James Cameron’s characters from Avatar came pouring in, but Chan herself had the best response: “The more of me the better?” It’s that kind of self-awareness we can only hope for in a world where your likeness might suddenly appear on your front lawn in a scene out of an avant-garde remake of The Terminator set in ancient Rome.
But let’s not forget about the man behind the metal — Daniel Arsham, an artist whose work often suggests that time is flexible and wants to be played with. Known for his “fictional archaeology” and habit of creating objects that look like they were unearthed from some dystopian future, Arsham was the perfect fit for a project that straddles classical homage and futuristic fantasy. You can imagine his excitement when Zuckerberg came to him with this idea: “I want a statue of my wife…but like, shiny?”
And boy did Arsham deliver. He married ancient aesthetics with a distinctly futuristic twist; the statue’s mirrored silver robe catches light in ways that are almost otherworldly, while the bluish-green base gives off oxidized-Statue-of-Liberty vibes — because nothing says “I love you” quite like an immigration-themed symbol of freedom polished to perfection. It’s like if someone asked what would happen if Lady Liberty had a glamorous sister who could travel through time.
But no modern art epic is complete without a little bit of drama. And Arsham hasn’t exactly been having smooth sailing as of late — though who has? His studio was recently embroiled in a labor dispute, serving as yet another reminder that things can get messy even (or especially) in high art. But maybe that just makes this statue even more interesting; it’s both born from artistic vision and the messiness of reality.
Yes, Zuckerberg’s monument may raise some eyebrows — but it also underscores a simple fact: In an era of all things digital, there’s still something incredibly powerful about a grand, physical gesture. And for those wondering if this towering tribute will start a trend among the tech elite, just think — how long until Elon Musk unveils a rocket-sized statue of Grimes or Jeff Bezos commissions a 10-foot-tall bronze of himself flexing in front of a spaceship?
For now, though, the Zuckerberg-Chan statue stands for love and innovation and the joyous ridiculousness that comes from combining them. It serves as a reminder that even the most calculated minds should let their romantic sides fly — preferably on material that’s weather-resistant and catches light just so. Because in the game of love, you have to go big or go home — and if you’re Mark Zuckerberg, why not both?
image: VIA MARK ZUCKERBERG/INSTAGRAM
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