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The answer: “Terrible that the exhibition was interpreted as racist”
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The classic indoor restaurant Riche in Stockholm receives massive international reviews.
The art exhibition with images of Xi Jinping, painted yellow and titled “Bat Man,” is withdrawn after criticism.
– It’s classic racism, says fashion profile Bryan Gray Yambao.
The Riche restaurant at Stureplan in Stockholm has ended in an international storm of criticism.
It started yesterday when Stockholm-based and Filipino fashion profile Bryan Gray Yambao posted a post on Instagram. “Bryanboy,” as he calls himself, had gone to Riche for dumplings with a friend from Hong Kong.
“When we ordered, we saw the huge posters of a very yellow Xi Jinping with bat ears and the term ‘BAT MAN’,” writes Bryanboy, who has more than half a million followers.
“It’s classic racism”
Bryan Gray Yambao tells Aftonbladet that his friends were shocked by the images. Especially in view of the racism to which people of Asian descent have been subjected during the pandemic.
– In principle, all Asian people on the Internet have been subjected to some kind of racist attack, with bat ears or accused of causing covid-19. Portraying an Asian person, no matter if he is president of China or who he is, with the stereotypical yellow skin and bat ears is classic racism, Bryan Gray Yambao tells Aftonbladet.
The criticism has had a great international impact. Among other things through the Instagram account “diet_prada” with 2.3 million followers, which writes:
“There is no excuse, Restaurant Riche. Time to redecorate.”
Photo: NIKLAS ALEXANDERSSON / PRESS PICTURE
Riche restaurants
Riche knocks down the exhibition
Carl Carboni, is an art manager at Svenska Brasserier, where Riche is included.
“The intention with art was only to enlighten Xi, and the dictatorship. Photos will be available for at least another week. I think it is terrible that the exhibition has been interpreted as racist, ”wrote Carl Carboni in a text message this morning.
But a couple of hours later, it was decided to withdraw the exhibition.
“Of course, we take into account the criticisms that have been made and our intention, of course, was not that anyone would be seriously affected by the work. After an internal dialogue, in consultation with the artist, we decided to withdraw the exhibition. We apologize to those who have taken it the wrong way, ”writes Carl Carboni.
When the “Bat Man” exhibit was presented, Riche wrote in a press release that it “relates to the fact that the Corona virus was reported to have first infected humans through bats sold as food at the animal market in the city of Wuhan in China “.
At the same time, there is an exhibition at the neighboring Taverna Brillo tavern supporting the freedom struggle of Gui Minhai, the Swedish publisher that has been imprisoned in China for almost five years, says the art director.
The artist apologizes
The artist behind the work has also apologized. He writes that the intention was to ridicule Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party, just as he had previously lampooned other political leaders.
“I cannot stress enough how much I apologize to the people who were injured,” writes the anonymous artist “Iron” on his Instagram account.
Photo: Instagram screenshot
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