From Burning Man to San Francisco’s waterfront
The sculpture was originally shown at the Burning Man festival in 2015. Artist Marco Cochrane created the piece using 55,000 welds of steel rod and tubing. It weighs 13,000 pounds, with an additional 16,000 pounds of steel used to anchor it in place.
The artwork includes a mechanical feature that simulates breathing for one hour each day. It is also lit up from within during the night.
Shift from Union Square to Embarcadero Plaza
The installation was first planned for Union Square. However, it was relocated to Embarcadero Plaza due to concerns about whether the plaza’s surface could support the sculpture’s weight. Officials chose the current location to support ongoing efforts to improve the waterfront area.
A video of the sculpture was shared on social media platform X, showing a worker appearing to carry out a “surgical procedure” on the back of the sculpture.
A message about public art and representation
Cochrane said the sculpture is meant to highlight the lack of representation of women in public art. “She stands strong, aware, and grounded—calling for a world where all people can walk freely and without fear,” he said, according to the San Francisco Standard.The installation is backed by the Sijbrandij Foundation. It also has support from the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and the Port of San Francisco.Elaine Forbes, executive director of the Port of San Francisco, said, “Public art has the power to enrich our shared spaces, deepen our connection to the city, and make the waterfront more inviting …”
Part of a larger project
R-Evolution is part of Cochrane’s Bliss Project, a series of sculptures that debuted at Burning Man. The series is intended to challenge public views of the female body and encourage conversations around gender equality.
