In a bold and provocative move, Seacon Square Mall in Bangkok, Thailand, has unveiled a satirical installation dubbed the “Mount Rushmore of the 21st Century,” featuring larger-than-life busts of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The display, which opened to the public on September 20, 2025, has sparked a whirlwind of reactions, ranging from amusement to outrage, as visitors and onlookers grapple with its audacious commentary on global leadership.
The installation, located in the mall’s central atrium, has quickly become a focal point for debate, drawing crowds eager to witness the controversial artwork firsthand. The sculpture, a tongue-in-cheek reinterpretation of the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, replaces the faces of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln with four of the most polarizing figures in contemporary geopolitics.
Crafted by a collective of anonymous Thai artists known as “The Mirror Collective,” the installation aims to provoke discussion about power, influence, and the cult of personality in modern politics. While the artists insist their work is purely satirical, the choice of figures and the timing of the unveiling have raised eyebrows, with some praising the boldness and others condemning it as tasteless.
The Concept Behind the Installation
The idea for the satirical Mount Rushmore emerged from a collaboration between The Mirror Collective and Seacon Square’s management, who sought to create a striking centerpiece for the Seacon Square Mall’s annual “Art in the Everyday” exhibition. According to a statement released by the artists, the installation is meant to reflect the outsized influence of these four leaders on global affairs, often amplified by their larger-than-life personas.
Each bust, carved from a lightweight composite material and painted with meticulous detail, stands approximately 10 feet tall and is positioned on a faux granite pedestal designed to mimic the rugged aesthetic of the original Mount Rushmore. The choice of Trump, Putin, Xi, and Kim was deliberate, the artists explained, as these figures dominate headlines and shape international discourse, for better or worse. The installation’s plaque reads: “In an age of spectacle, where power is performance, we carve these faces not to honor, but to question.”
The Mirror Collective emphasized that the work is not an endorsement of any leader but a critique of how media and public fascination elevate certain figures to near-mythic status. By placing the busts in a bustling shopping mall, the artists aimed to juxtapose the gravity of global politics with the banality of consumer culture, inviting passersby to reflect on the absurdity of modern leadership.
Bemused shoppers snap photos of a replica of Mount Rushmore, but instead of dead US presidents, the faces carved into Thailand's latest commercial stunt depict four current world leaders. pic.twitter.com/IBR2R9U7kb
— Roya News English (@RoyaNewsEnglish) September 25, 2025
The installation includes subtle satirical touches. Trump’s bust features his signature comb-over, exaggerated to cartoonish proportions, while Putin’s stern expression is paired with a faintly smirking mouth. Xi’s bust is adorned with a faint halo-like glow, a nod to his carefully curated image in China, and Kim’s features an oversized pair of glasses, amplifying his enigmatic persona. These artistic choices have drawn both laughter and criticism, with some visitors appreciating the humor and others finding the caricatures offensive or overly simplistic.
Public and Political Reactions
Since its unveiling, the satirical Mount Rushmore has elicited a wide range of responses from shoppers, local residents, and international observers. On opening day, the atrium was packed with visitors snapping selfies with the busts, many of whom found the installation a humorous take on global politics.
“It’s hilarious, but it also makes you think,” said Nattapong S., a 29-year-old Bangkok resident. “These guys are everywhere in the news, and now they’re staring at us while we shop. It’s weirdly perfect.” Others, however, were less amused. A group of tourists from the United States expressed discomfort, with one calling the inclusion of Trump alongside authoritarian leaders “in poor taste.”
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Local political commentators have also weighed in, with some praising the installation for its boldness in a country where political satire can be risky. Thailand’s strict lèse-majesté laws and history of censorship make such public displays rare, and the fact that Seacon Square approved the project has been seen as a small but significant step toward freer expression. However, not everyone is on board.
A conservative Thai politician, speaking anonymously, criticized the installation as “disrespectful to world leaders” and suggested it could harm Thailand’s diplomatic relations, particularly with China and Russia. Internationally, the installation has sparked debate on social media platforms, with users divided over its intent and impact. Some applaud the artists for their courage in tackling global power dynamics, while others argue that the work trivializes serious issues, such as human rights abuses associated with some of the leaders depicted.
The Chinese embassy in Bangkok issued a restrained statement, noting that “art should foster understanding, not division,” while the Russian embassy declined to comment. Neither the U.S. nor North Korean embassies have responded publicly, though analysts speculate that the installation could complicate Thailand’s delicate balancing act in international relations.
Implications for Art and Free Expression
The satirical Mount Rushmore raises broader questions about the role of art in critiquing power and the boundaries of free expression in a globalized world. Thailand, with its complex political landscape, is an unlikely setting for such a provocative display, and the fact that it has been allowed to proceed suggests a growing appetite for bold artistic statements. The Mirror Collective has remained anonymous, citing concerns about potential backlash, but their work has already inspired other local artists to explore political themes in their own projects.
The installation also highlights the power of satire to provoke dialogue. By placing the busts in a commercial space like Seacon Square, the artists have ensured that their work reaches a diverse audience, from casual shoppers to political enthusiasts. This accessibility has amplified the installation’s impact, making it a talking point far beyond Thailand’s borders. Art historians have drawn parallels to other satirical works, such as Banksy’s street art or the controversial caricatures published by Charlie Hebdo, noting that such pieces often walk a fine line between provocation and insight.
However, the installation’s future remains uncertain. Seacon Square’s management has stated that the display is temporary, set to remain in place through the end of October 2025, but pressure from diplomatic channels or local authorities could lead to its early removal. Some observers worry that the controversy could prompt stricter oversight of future art exhibitions in Thailand, potentially stifling creative freedom. Others see the installation as a test case for how far satire can go in a country navigating its own political challenges.
As the debate continues, the satirical Mount Rushmore stands as a testament to the power of art to challenge assumptions and spark conversation. Whether viewed as a brilliant critique or a tasteless stunt, the installation has succeeded in its goal of making people stop, look, and think.
For now, the faces of Trump, Putin, Xi, and Kim loom over Seacon Square Mall, a surreal reminder of the larger-than-life figures who shape our world—and the questions we must ask about their influence. Visitors are left to decide for themselves whether the display is a mirror reflecting reality or a caricature distorting it, but one thing is clear: it’s impossible to ignore.