''Homunculus Loxodontus'' (nicknamed Zhdun, "The One Who Waits", Snorp, or WOSH) is a

statue A statue is a free-standing sculpture in which the realistic, full-length figures of persons or animals are carved or cast in a durable material such as wood, metal or stone. Typical statues are life-sized or close to life-size; a sculpture t ...

by Dutch artist . It was made for the

Leiden University Medical Center Leiden University Medical Center (Dutch: ''Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum'') or LUMC is the university hospital affiliated with Leiden University, of which it forms the medical faculty. It is located in Leiden, Netherlands. LUMC is a modern un ...

and installed in the spring of 2016. It became popular in post-Soviet countries where it is called '' Ждун'' (Russian for "one who waits").

Composition

The sculpture depicts a legless, gray creature with the head of a

Northern elephant seal The northern elephant seal (''Mirounga angustirostris'') is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the southern elephant seal). It is a member of the family (biology), family Phocidae (true seal (mammal), seals). Elephant seals derive ...

, a larval body, and human arms clasped together in front of it. It sits on a waiting room chair, and, according to the sculptor, the figure symbolizes the emotions of people who wait at the

doctor Doctor or The Doctor may refer to: Personal titles * Doctor (title), the holder of an accredited academic degree * A medical practitioner, including: ** Physician ** Surgeon ** Dentist ** Veterinary physician ** Optometrist *Other roles ** ...

's office. The sculpture is made of plastic and epoxy resin, which, when mixed, form a clay-like substance that feels hard and rough to the touch.

History

In May of 2016, the figure was installed in front of the children's hospital at the

, but as of February 2017 is now displayed alongside other works of art inside the medical center. The

originally awarded artist Margriet Van Brevoort a grant to create the sculpture for an annual art competition held by the Leiden Sculpture Foundation, where the sculptural theme for 2016 competition was ''biological sciences''. Brevoort did not want to depict something related to the grim side of medicine or disease, and instead focused on the patients, ordinary people waiting to see a doctor for a diagnosis. According to her, the sculpture meant convey the message that "you should calmly wait for diagnosis with hope for the best", and was intended to look humorous, but also cute and huggable. In 2016, the sculpture was named the most photographed attraction in Leiden.

Internet meme

In 2017 in Russia and a number of Eastern European countries the sculpture (renamed ''Zhdun'', a fabricated noun version of the Russian verb ''zhdat, which means "to wait") became an

Internet meme An Internet meme, commonly known simply as a meme ( ), is an idea, behavior, style, or image that is spread via the Internet, often through social media platforms. What is considered a meme may vary across different communities on the Internet ...

, in which it is edited into famous paintings, photographs, videos, and other visual media. Models have been photographed in locales including an empty seat in the

Ukrainian Parliament The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ( uk, Верхо́вна Ра́да Украї́ни, translit=, Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy, translation=Supreme Council of Ukraine, Ukrainian abbreviation ''ВРУ''), often simply Verkhovna Rada or just Rada, is the ...

. CD Land, a media company, bought the Russian media rights for five years starting in 2017. The cover of the 2021 album ''Sand'' by Belgian indie pop-rock band Balthazar features ''Zhdun''.

References

External links

''Homunculus loxodontus''
on Margriet van Breevoort's website {{Leiden University 2016 sculptures Sculptures in the Netherlands Leiden University Russian Internet slang Internet memes introduced from Russia Internet memes introduced in 2017

Composition

History

Internet meme

See also

References

External links