A New Zealand city waves goodbye to its 'disturbing' giant hand sculpture that many came to love

Perched on two fingers on the roof of an art gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, the giant sculpture of a hand has loomed over the city for five years. Dubbed Quasi, the 16 feet — almost 5 meters — creation of Australia-based sculptor Ronnie van Hout carries an unsmiling human face. Some found it disturbing, and now, after five years of triggering a myriad emotions and controversy among the inhabitants of New Zealand’s capital, Quasi will be removed from the City Gallery roof. The gallery said on Wednesday it will be taken to a new home, without disclosing the destination. Ben McNulty, a Wellington city council member, said he personally felt “devastated” by Quasi's departure.