Hoax – The striking sculpture “El Esfuerzo” (“La Carga”), showing a woman carrying household appliances, is allegedly by Jaume Plensa and is exhibited in Barcelona.
Analysis
The digital universe has become a vibrant stage for the circulation of impressive images, and often, the line between real art and creation through artificial intelligence tools becomes subtle. Recently, a photograph supposedly capturing the sculpture “El Esfuerzo” (or “La Carga”) has generated great repercussions on social media and messaging applications, arousing the curiosity of thousands of internet users.
The work in question is described as a piece by the renowned artist Jaume Plensa, known for portraying, viscerally, a woman bent under the weight of household appliances and furniture, while children cling to her figure. The messages accompanying the image claim that the sculpture would be permanently exhibited in a prominent location in Barcelona, more specifically on Carrer de la Princesa, near Via Laietana. Read:
a striking image of a sculpture of a woman carrying several household appliances and holding children is circulating on the internet along with messages that point to its location. the sculpture would be “El Esfuerzo” (The Effort), also called “La Carga” (The Burden) and would be by the artist Jaume Plensa and would be in Barcelona, on Carrer de la Princesa, close to Via Laietana
Fact-Check
Given the visual impact and the profound symbolism the sculpture carries, it becomes essential to verify whether this information is true and whether the work is, in fact, an artistic manifestation present in the public space of the Spanish city. To uncover the truth behind the image, our analysis focused on three main questions: 1) Is the sculpture “El Esfuerzo” (“La Carga”), by Jaume Plensa, which shows a woman carrying household appliances, exhibited in Barcelona, Spain? 2) How was the image showing the sculpture “El Esfuerzo” (“La Carga”), by Jaume Plensa, which shows a woman carrying household appliances, exhibited in Barcelona, Spain, made? 3) Are there similar fake news stories about works of art?
Is the sculpture “El Esfuerzo” (“La Carga”), by Jaume Plensa, which shows a woman carrying household appliances, exhibited in Barcelona, Spain?
No, the sculpture is not exhibited in the cited location and, more importantly, it is not a work by Jaume Plensa. A check on Google Street View on Carrer de la Princesa, in Barcelona, does not reveal the presence of any statue with the characteristics of the viral image. In addition to the physical absence at the location, a consultation of Jaume Plensa’s official map of public space works of art confirms that this piece, named “El Esfuerzo” or “La Carga”, is not part of his repertoire. Although the artist has works in Barcelona, this specific one is not among them. The absence of an official record in the artist’s collection already raises the first red flag about the authenticity of the information.
How was the image showing the sculpture “El Esfuerzo” (“La Carga”), by Jaume Plensa, which shows a woman carrying household appliances, exhibited in Barcelona, Spain, made?
The investigation indicates that the image of the sculpture is, in reality, a creation generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Currently, several programs are capable of producing high-quality photorealistic images, to the point of confusing observers. Although the idea behind the work – the invisible burden of women’s work – is pertinent and provokes a valuable reflection on inequality and sacrifice, the piece itself never existed as a physical sculpture installed by Jaume Plensa in Barcelona. The combination of a relevant theme with the capability of image generation by AI is the engine behind many hoaxes currently circulating.
Are there similar fake news stories about works of art?
Yes, the use of artificial intelligence to create false images of works of art, sculptures, or personalities is a growing trend in the world of fake news. The technology allows hoaxes to become highly convincing, making it difficult to distinguish between the real and the artificial. The Boatos.org (a generic fact-checking organization) has already debunked several claims that used AI-generated images to simulate non-existent sculptures, for example, alleged realistic works of political figures on the beach, the false claim that Isabella Boyer was the face of the Statue of Liberty and even the photograph of a sculpture of Jesus Christ made in the sand.
Conclusion
The sculpture “El Esfuerzo” does not physically exist in Barcelona, is not a work by the artist Jaume Plensa, and the image circulating on the internet was generated by artificial intelligence. Although the symbolism of the female overload is powerful and worthy of reflection, the information that the piece would be exhibited on Carrer de la Princesa is completely unfounded. It is yet another hoax that uses the credibility of AI to generate engagement and confusion on social media.
Fake news ❌
Ps: This article is a suggestion from readers of Boatos.org. If you want to suggest a topic to Boatos.org, contact us by email [email protected] and WhatsApp (link here: https://wa.me/556192755610)