ODESSA, Ukraine, Oct. 24 (UPI) — An outdated Ukrainian statue of Soviet-era leader Vladimir Lenin has been artistically transformed to depict the fictional Star Wars villain Darth Vader.
After Ukraine passed new legislation in April demanding all symbols of the country’s communist past to be removed, artist Alexander Milov focused on giving the gypsum statue a new look. Revealed Friday, the statue still contains the original depiction of Lenin, but is reinforced with new material and painted black.
According to reports, although Lenin statues all over the country are being dismantled, this particular statue will not be taken down due to its pop-culture facelift.
“The Bronze Lenin was left inside, so that the grateful or not so grateful descendants could exhume him, if needed,” the artist said according to Ukraine Today.
Through what he reportedly claims to be the world’s first Vader monument, artist Milov provided a new, literal hotspot for Star Wars fans: the artist installed a WiFi router in the statue’s helmet. Local fans have already flocked to the newly remodeled statue, making sure to document their visit with selfies uploaded to the Internet.
