Oscars 2018: Artists put up Harvey Weinstein’s ‘casting couch’ statue to highlight sexual misconduct in Hollywood

The life-sized Weinstein sculpture, displayed on Thursday (March 1) on Hollywood Boulevard near Elvis Presley’s statue, aims to highlight the series of sexual misconducts that have tainted the entertainment industry and the exposed studio mogul’s role in it.

Los Angeles street artist Plastic Jesus sits on his on the art installation on the sidewalk near the Oscars venue. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

“There’s so much about Hollywood that’s great and celebrated in the Oscars, but there’s also this underbelly of darkness within the industry that we often sweep under the carpet or ignore,” Plastic Jesus, formerly a London-based photographer told news agency AP.

The phrase “casting couch,” used to describe the demand of sexual favours for work, may seem a relic of a bygone era but is “still very much a part of the Hollywood culture,” he added.

In the run-up to the 2018 Oscars, British artist Plastic Jesus puts a statue of Harvey Weinstein, in a bathrobe on a sofa, on Hollywood Boulevard. The artist is denouncing the culture of silence that allowed the abuse to go on for so long. pic.twitter.com/UY51tgTMGm

— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 2, 2018

The guerrilla artist has always worked with contemporary and relevant issues that concern people. As photos of the “casting couch” spread on Twitter, it drew a lot of attention from the users.

The only part of the #Oscars that’s relevant and exciting: Plastic Jesus always does something unique in response to em. He’s the artist we can thank for the phrase: “stop making stupid people famous.” If only… #Word #Art https://t.co/0b8sNQyJ0a

— Sammy Younan -28- (@mypalsammy) March 2, 2018

Casting Couch = worst kept secret in Hollywood since the 1st silent film 1908

— Rich (@Rich_Bruklis) March 2, 2018

That’s one hell of a powerful indictment. Bravissimo!

— #FlyEaglesFly Champs (@Joystik_thePony) March 2, 2018

Gold #HarveyWeinstein statue in an open bathrobe on a casting couch.

I love art more than anything.https://t.co/mklZ3lBprW

— Duncan (@duncanjayr) March 2, 2018

Great idea, but seems he has enough sexual abuse problems in his own country to tend to. I’m just saying.

— SUGAR THEGIRL (@SUGARTHEGIRL) March 2, 2018

I understand your goal, but why give this narcissistic bully any more attention? He’ll probably see this and it’ll make him feel like a god or something.

— Danielle Lorraine (@MsDaniLorraine) March 2, 2018

What are your thoughts on it? Tell us in the comments below.