Jackie Chan Has Own Statue and Museum

Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan imitates the gesture of his statue when it was unveiled yesterday at the JC Film Gallery, which is set to open next April.

Internationally acclaimed Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan unveiled his own statue “Battle of Harmony” in Shanghai yesterday, right in front of the JC Film Gallery set to open in Putuo District next April.

The statue features a dragon fighting with Chan and the intended message is that everyone’s biggest opponent is oneself. The dragon is composed of thousands of hand models of the action star himself.

“I always challenge myself to be better each time, almost killing myself,” Chan said at the unveiling ceremony. “I hope this spirit can pass on to more young people through the sculpture.”

The statue was created by Omri Amrany, an Israeli-American sculptor and painter, and his wife Julie Rotblatt-Amrany. Rotblatt-Amrany, who attended the ceremony, called Chan the icon of contemporary culture.

“He inspires all generations, especially the young. He’s an inspiration for us. It’s a way to honor and admire him,” she said. “The sculpture involves yin and yang elements from China and brings harmony in tension.’’

The ceremony yesterday was also to promote the JC Film Gallery, a museum showing Chan’s growth into a world-renowned action star together with his costumes, props used in his films and his charity causes.

The gallery, with an investment of 40 million yuan (US$6.6 million), is set to open to the public in Changfeng Ecological Business Hub in the district next April.

A lighting ceremony was also held at the venue and featured nine out of 17 streets lamps that Chan bought in Los Angeles in 2007 during the shooting of Rush Hour 3.