A replica of the Greek statue Venus de Milo constructed from panda excrement is the focus of a new art project by Chinese sculptor Zhu Cheng. The 2ft (61cm) tall statue, created with the help of elementary school students, is made from excrement (mixed with plaster and vegetable-based glue) sourced from Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
China has more than 300 panda bears in captivity. Considering that an adult panda is capable of producing daily an estimated 45lbs (20.4kgs) of waste, the artist had plenty of material to work with.
"Venus is a beautiful figure," explained Cheng in an LA Times' article. "But by creating the statue out of excrement, we set up an internal conflict between beauty and waste that makes for a magical work of art."
The panda poo Venus de Milo is on display at the Henan Provincial Art Museum in Zhengzhou.
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