No, it’s not the Virgin Mary. It’s also not Emperor Palpatine.
That huge statue, shrouded in a tarp, towering along Edsa is a sculpture by Filipino-American artist Jefre Manuel Figueras, also known as JEFRË.
Dubbed “Time Sculpture”, the 12-meter (four-story) statue at Megamall’s facade is scheduled to be unveiled today, July 29. It depicts a man—with a box for a head—looking at his watch, which JEFRË wants to be a reminder to people that “time is valuable” and should be used productively “even when stuck in traffic”, which is a usual affair on the major thoroughfare.
The box-headed man is part of JEFRË’s Baks Series, as in “box”, which consists of figures that are archetypes representing people who give life and character to cities around the world.
For the Chicago-based artist, people are the building blocks of the city, and by converting the statue’s head to a block, the artist connects the figures to urban architecture.
“Time Sculpture” is made with mirror stainless steel with points established across the figure’s body and are connected by polyhedrons that create complex three-dimensional planes. It will be a permanent display at SM Megamall.
Other notable artworks at SM malls include the Globe at Mall of Asia, the Cube at SM City Seaside Cebu, “Cubi” by National Artist Arturo Luz at the Podium, and the colorful Philippine animals at SM Aura Skypark, also by JEFRË.
