On the other hand, although a city sculpture project is a complicated process that involves government planning, financing and historic and environmental considerations, the artist needs to be independent and free to express an idea with originality, stresses Sui Jianguo, sculptor and professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

"That's respect to the artist as well as to the rules of art," he says.

Since 2005, the National Guiding Committee for Public Sculpture has organized selections of good city sculptures.

But this year's online poll is the first time the public has acted as judges and picked out the worst.

"With the help of such events, we hope to present the current situation to the public and increase discussion on topics like city construction," says Lei Jianqiao, chief director of culture channel of Sohu.com.

"The event also made the public begin to pay attention to city sculptures and eventually make them beautiful," says Duan Xichen, the committee's secretary-general.

zhangzixuan@chinadaily.com.cn