Asas Statue Introduction
"Arthas" is one of the protagonists in the Warcraft series of computer games published by Blizzard Entertainment and is also one of the beloved heroes in Heroes of the Storm. His life, filled with dramatic choices made to protect his people, has won the hearts of many players, making him one of the most popular and high-profile characters in the Warcraft series. The day Arthas Menethil was born, the forests of Lordaeron whispered his name, signifying that he was destined to write a legendary chapter filled with impactful stories that would resonate throughout Azeroth. In 2016, to celebrate Blizzard Entertainment's 25th anniversary, a statue of Arthas was created (measuring 4.6 meters long, 2.1 meters wide, with a total height of 4.5 meters including the base, weighing 1,814 kilograms) to be placed in Taiwan as a tribute to Taiwanese and Asian players. This statue is also Blizzard Entertainment's first outdoor installation art piece open to the public. The designer, Steve Wang, is a Hollywood special effects artist and filmmaker who was born in Taipei and immigrated to the United States at the age of nine. This grand project involved 30 staff members and took over a thousand hours (more than nine months) to complete. The exquisite craftsmanship and meticulous design bring Arthas to life, standing impressively at the Calligraphy Greenway and creating a unique cultural landmark for citizens and tourists. The Arthas statue is situated in the southern section of the Calligraphy Greenway, enhancing the urban landscape that stretches from the National Museum of Natural Science in the north to the Art Park in the south, thereby creating a more complete and cohesive atmosphere of art and culture. This provides international tourists with a different travel experience, deeply promoting and showcasing local cultural characteristics. Taichung is also actively connecting with global contexts, crafting a new facade that embodies both Eastern heritage and Western influences.
