(Ecns.cn) -- Peking University removed a controversial sculpture of a nude man on Friday night, relocating it to an inconspicuous location.
The sculpture of a muscular Mongolian previously stood in front of the Guanghua School of Management and faced a decade-old sculpture of Laozi, the founder of Taoism.
The school said it was a preparation for the upcoming "Sculpture Garden." The "naked man" is the very first sculpture to be relocated in the garden.
The move has prompted radically different reactions from the public.
It is a shame that this great philosopher has to face a "naked strongman" (a nickname given by students), a student posted online when the sculpture was erected three years ago.
The sculpture of Laozi has also sparked debate. It depicts a bug-eyed Laozi sticking his tongue out – a subversion of the philosopher's traditionally gentle image.
Sheng Hongbiao, a lecturer at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, was the sculptor of the Mongol. He said the message of his work was "knowledge is power."
The Laozi sculptor, Tian Shixin, is also a lecturer from the academy. He said his work demonstrates the intellectual power of Laozi, signaling that soft power in the form of culture is better than military might.
Some passersby say they feel a lack of harmony between the two sculptures. Others, however, like how the two represent contrasting ideas.
