The dismantling of “Big Clay #4,” a 13-meter sculpture by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, began on July 28 after four years on Bolotnaya Square in front of the GES-2 House of Culture. The installation, which sparked both admiration and controversy, was initially intended as a temporary exhibit, with plans to replace the art objects every nine months.

The decision to remove the sculpture comes after it remained in place for an extended period, with its future now uncertain. A new installation is expected to appear in August, but the fate of “Big Clay #4” is still to be determined, with suggestions ranging from relocation to the Moscow region to a return to its creator.

Art critic Sofia Bagdasarova suggests that the sculpture’s prolonged stay was due to geopolitical shifts that hampered international cultural exchange. Originally intended as part of an active international program by the V-A-C Foundation, “Big Clay” became a casualty of severed cultural ties. She also notes that relocating the sculpture could reignite strong reactions.

Moscow expert and historian Pavel Gnilorybov believes the sculpture’s value lies in its replaceability, marking a shift in Moscow’s approach to public art. He suggests relocating “Big Clay #4” to a smaller town near Moscow, where it could stimulate local economies and draw attention.

Architect Alexey Krotov expressed a different viewpoint, deeming the sculpture a “foreign element” that should not have been installed in the first place. He believes it should not be relocated, as it could negatively influence young people.