Selfie Panda

Florentijn Hofman is internationally known for his monumental animal sculptures, and his latest collaboration with UAP adds a giant panda to this portfolio. Selfie Panda is a colossal artwork, 26 metres long, 13 metres wide, 13 metres high and weighing 130 tonnes, and it can interact with the public by taking selfies. The work carries the artist's commentary on selfie culture and reflects local efforts to protect rare species. UAP worked with the client from the beginning of the project, from curatorial services through concept design and development to fabrication and installation. Selfie Panda is fixed by more than 3 million painted stainless-steel wires; although the wires are hard, they look visually as soft as fur, inviting people to reach out and touch. The panda holds a selfie stick, and a giant LED screen embedded with a camera simulates a smartphone, inviting the public to scan a custom interactive mini-program to take selfies with the sculpture. The project is a monumental public artwork by Florentijn Hofman, installed in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, the panda's home region. It is a demonstration of how a giant, playful sculpture can engage the public through digital interaction, turning a city landmark into a shared photo opportunity. The stainless-steel fur is both a structural feat and a tactile invitation, and the LED selfie screen makes the work a living part of social media culture while drawing attention to panda conservation.