I don’t know what exactly to call this incident — but as media person perhaps it was a powerful moment shaped by social media or, perhaps, a disappointing one too. It exposed the impact of digital outrage, lack of policy, absence of decision-making structures, distance from art and culture, and a serious aesthetic disconnect.
Last Sunday, a symbolic public art installation titled “Golden Hands” was unveiled in Islamabad’s Sector D-12. Created by a private company under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the sculpture reportedly cost millions of rupees.
By Monday evening, it was dismantle.
Where did it go — and why? These are questions society must now reflect on.
What Were the Golden Hands?
The “Golden-Hands” featured two gold-painted hands raised high, gently holding the Earth Globe — as if silently conveying a message:
“This Earth, created by God, is a sacred trust — and we are all responsible for its protection.”
This could be my imagination. the sculpture which can be more than a creative masterpiece, it was an aesthetic effort to enhance civic beauty of federal capital Islamabad. People cloud gather, taking pictures, selfies — some even can called it Islamabad’s new Instagram spot.
But….. Within an hours, the photos went viral.
Twitter was flooded:
🔗 @PakistanWalli’s post
🔗 @TTIMagazine’s post
🔗 @ARazaRiz90’s post
Many people appreciated the installation, some criticized it, and others praised its deeper message. Young audiences even labelled it “Art for Peace.”
But Then, What Happened?
- A segment of users began mocking the sculpture of Golden Hands.
- Questions were raised: Whose vision is this? What’s the message? Who approved this?
- A storm of criticism, memes, political jibes, and sarcastic takes flooded social media.
- Without any official explanation or public defense, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) covered the piece with a cloth and tore it down later evening.
The Questions That Remain:
- Should public art be removed purely due to online trolling or digital pressure?
- Is there any public policy to safeguard CSR or artistic installations?
- If the same model had been in another country, would it have faced the same fate?
- Do we have space for democratic dialogue or civic art in our society?
- Can artistic expression and creativity be protected in Pakistan?
- Or has social media pressure become the new standard for decision-making
“I have seen remarkable public art abroad — expressive, bold, without hands, without cloths and all of them were thought-provoking. But perhaps only we know how quickly art dies here, crushed under the weight of mockery.”
