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Zhang Huan Buddha Sculpture proves to be a graffiti magnet

SFGate.com
Phillip Matier,Andrew Ross

Even Buddha can't catch a break in San Francisco.

The 15-ton, three-headed copper sculpture that was unveiled in Civic Center Plaza last month for the 30th anniversary of San Francisco's sister-city relationship with Shanghai has already been defaced twice by graffiti.

Officials retained an art restorer to remove the tags, including one scrawl proclaiming, "Jesus is the one."

Now, City Hall fears that the giant Buddha may prove too inviting to booze-fueled partygoers from the nearby World Cup big screen telecasts and Gay Priders looking for a little climbing fun during their upcoming post-parade party.

So the $1.6 million sculpture, on loan from artist Zhang Huan, is in protective custody for the next three weeks, surrounded by a 6-foot-tall screened fence to deter climbers and anyone else.

Spatial Thoughts on Sculpture by Bill West
Seems to be a big difference between the two photos below. What goes through peoples minds to deface? One answer might be "evidently not very much..."

Three Heads Six Arms sculpture by Zhang Huan
Pat Miller, a city employee,takes a photo of the "Three Heads Six Arms" sculpture,
now behind fencing, next to City Hall.
Photo: David Paul Morris / Special To The Chronicle

hree Heads Six Arms sculpture by Zhang Huan
sculpture sans the graffiti fence