RoboCop statue unveiled in Detroit: 'impressive piece of bronze artwork'

Standing over 11 feet tall and weighing 3,500 pounds, the new bronze statue of RoboCop towers over the city, its gaze serious and commanding. Despite the character's origins as a tough crime-fighting cyborg, the sculpture has quickly become a symbol of hope, drawing crowds and inspiring countless selfies since its debut in Detroit on Wednesday afternoon. The project has been in the works for 15 years.

Even amid a snowstorm and darkness, visitors were stopping by to view the statue, according to Jim Toscano, co-owner of the Free Age film production company, where the figure is now securely installed near the sidewalk.

RoboCop first appeared on screens in 1987, depicting a near-future Detroit plagued by crime and an under-resourced police force, until Peter Wellers character emerged as a nearly unstoppable cyborg developed by a shadowy corporation. While the movie once reinforced the citys troubled reputation, crime rates have since declined significantly, and local officials had no objections to the statues placement, Toscano noted. Detroit has come a long way. You put in a little nostalgia and that helps, he said.

The idea for the statue dates back to around 2010, when a tweet suggested that RoboCop could serve as a Detroit ambassador, similar to Philadelphias Rocky Balboa statue. Though the city initially denied plans, supporters launched a 2012 Kickstarter campaign, raising over $67,000 from 2,700 backers worldwide. Sculptor Giorgio Gikas completed the work in 2017, but the statue remained in storage for years.

Plans to exhibit the statue at the Michigan Science Center were abandoned in 2021 due to pandemic pressures. The project resumed three years ago when Toscanos company purchased a building in Eastern Market, a bustling district northeast of downtown Detroit. Toscano described his first reaction to being approached about hosting the statue as disbelief but quickly embraced the opportunity. Its too unusual, too unique, too cool not to do, he said.

Although Toscano admits he has only seen the first RoboCop film, he finds the characters iconic lines fitting for the occasion, particularly: Thank you for your cooperation.

Visitors have expressed excitement and pride in the statue. James Campbell, who donated $100 to the original Kickstarter over a decade ago, jokingly claimed partial ownership. Im here to see this big, beautiful, bronze piece of art, he said. Campbell views the statue as a symbol of hope: Hes a cyborg crime fighter! In the movie, in the futuristic Detroit, hes there to save the city, he added.

Author: Harper Simmons