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American street artist Mark Jenkins is the name behind the faceless figures popping up in cities around the world. Staged in provocative poses, his startlingly lifelike mannequin art installations are often social critiques meant to challenge the viewer to question their reality and raise social awareness. In what he dubs urban theater, these realistic sculptures provoke an array of reactions that transform his installations into multi-layered performance art.
The Urban Theater is Jenkins’s first monograph. The book "documents a broad spectrum of his compelling, often disturbing street installation art," as well as viewers' spontaneous responses and interactions with his interventions.
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Jenkins began his street art career in 2003 by placing a figure in a refuse dump in Rio de Janeiro to draw attention to the plight of homeless children in the streets. Since then the innovative artist has had his work exhibited in renowned venues such as Lazarides Galleries and the Kunsthalle Wien and publicly funded in cities worldwide. His unique art is made for the street, but Jenkins has also worked with the same themes in nature and indoors.
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The ongoing theme of the artist's work tends to veer towards dark subjects.“They often tend to be marginalized individuals, sometimes in lonely states, so it’s poetic but also dark. For example, the guy in the river is holding a bunch of colored balloons that are almost trying to magically lift him out. There’s always an undercurrent of hope," he explained in an interview.
“I like getting people to question their surroundings, what is real and what isn’t. These days, people are so buried in their mobile phones and I just wanted to get them to look up," he said about his cool art, "So at the beginning, I was collecting social data about people’s reactions. But six years later, these images are more about poetry, of capturing a magical moment.”
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The Girl on Fire 6 years ago
Way to scare everyone into thinking a mass suicide is happening....
James Kane 6 years ago
Would you try to save even just one if the figures were real? However It does to me send out a very sad and extremely powerful message that while its not possible to be there when someone feels they can suffer no more we can, if we listen , try to guide them away from suicidal thoughts
Ольга Федорчук 6 years ago
This massive action is very strong. No one knows what is happening in the mind of the one who decides to take such a step. This is scary. Death has never looked so disgusting.
Memyselfand I 6 years ago
Oh, wait...I saw this Torchwood/Dr. Who episode...It is a great idea and makes a very impactful statement.
Lilith Hollis 6 years ago
About suicide prevention I really believe that every city throughout the planet should have a building with these sculptures to reinforce the need to help prevent this silent killer from happening
Shane Mace 6 years ago
I disagree. With all those mannequins there, how would you spot a real suicide attempt?
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Natasha Forchione 6 years ago
awww...she thinks its street art. I wonder how much money it collected!
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Monika Soffronow 6 years ago
Some passersby look at me as though I am nothing but garbage! Civility nowadays ...
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What do you think ?
Joe Blowe 6 years ago
Some of the ones placed like they were in trouble, for example, the ones that look like people about to commit suicide and or "floating" on the water may be illegal. Imagine if you are driving along and you see a person (mannequin in this case) about to jump. You would be more at risk of getting in a car accident.
Keessie 6 years ago
Children could actually have a traumatic experience. Especially if it's not possible to verify nothing was wrong because you're driving by in a car or not notice it as an adult. Nope, this is one big fail.
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Priscila Pedrosa 6 years ago
Don't like this kinda of art. Some of it can bring serious consequences to sensitive people, like ederly or postraumatic experience. Once it is placed in public spaces more careful consideration should be done
Foxxy 6 years ago
Some of these are in real bad taste and can cause severe reactions from unsuspecting people. Including people that have PTSD, recently lost a loved one to suicide etc. For someone to willingly to want to cause distress to other people is callous and uncalled for. And people who enjoy traumatising people is just sick and seriously need their head read.
Sill Marien 6 years ago
that's stupid and probably caused tons of unnecessary emergency services calls
Bukky Olaneye 6 years ago
Not children alone, adults could also be traumatized,not cool at all!
Full Name 6 years ago
"are often social critiques". Yeah, sometimes maybe but most of this is specifically meant to be outrageous and shocking for attention. F*****g with people who have empathy is no way to get attention, man. Please grow up and reflect on things and hopefully you'll leave stuff like these behind.
Mark Wilson 6 years ago
I want to know about the guy who carries around a fancy floor lamp all day
Lili Octopus 6 years ago
I can see a crime thriller where a killer hides a real body right out on the open and everyone thinks it’s one of the arty mannequins
Lauren Caswell 6 years ago
They did that in an episode of midsomer murders!
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Parmeisan 6 years ago
On the one hand, it's a bit of a shame that the handful of terrible ones (e.g. the ones that look like real people on the edges of buildings or like dead bodies) are completely overshadowing the many more that are cool, clever, and funny. On the other hand, it's a fair shake because the handful of terrible ones are simply unacceptable.
Paul McDaniel 6 years ago
If any of you have seen Doctor Who, you know why these are that much more terrifying.
Daniel Garcia 6 years ago
Interesting, but many of these look they are serial killers waiting for a victim.
miaow 6 years ago
These are very wrong!! We already need to make the world a safer place!! Why add to problem with your very unsafe and cruel artwork of mockery!! I'm sure plenty passerbys have overcome their struggles or trynig to get through the day, and seeing these fake human mannequins positioned in dangerous situations is hurtful1!! I hate these art!
Darren Wick 6 years ago
Good for awareness raising like the plastic, and the suicide one.. but i think the lack of information to explain what they were about especially ones that looked like someone needed help shouldnt go about helping to normalise seeing people in fountains, against walls, hanging
Reuben Reckless 6 years ago
This is nearly 20 years old. I remember seeing an exhibition of this work in 2001.
Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago
I got a kick out of most of these but it really stretches the definition of "art." How much talent does it take? My criteria is, if I could do it, it ain't art.
Ottmar Straub 6 years ago
Creative sickness - nothing for really sane people and not really good for children who are not as spoiled yet.
Cherie Danielle 6 years ago
This is in real poor taste. These are scary and make me think of people attempting suicide. It's just bad.
Roberto Durante 6 years ago
just a promotion for the book, the reason of everywhere the Amazon buy button
Lenient Ezeh 6 years ago
Why should they be illegal after all they are still artwork to the eye of human.
TDurden1988 6 years ago
People buying firearms in the mall= people traumatized by some f*****g mannequin. jeus christ, you all have some f*****g mental issue.
Dorothy Parker 6 years ago
I wonder how long these stay before they are vandalized or removed. Many are interesting, too many are frightening in that they'd create so much concern or public danger/driver distraction.
Joe Blowe 6 years ago
Some of the ones placed like they were in trouble, for example, the ones that look like people about to commit suicide and or "floating" on the water may be illegal. Imagine if you are driving along and you see a person (mannequin in this case) about to jump. You would be more at risk of getting in a car accident.
Keessie 6 years ago
Children could actually have a traumatic experience. Especially if it's not possible to verify nothing was wrong because you're driving by in a car or not notice it as an adult. Nope, this is one big fail.
Load More Replies... Priscila Pedrosa 6 years ago
Don't like this kinda of art. Some of it can bring serious consequences to sensitive people, like ederly or postraumatic experience. Once it is placed in public spaces more careful consideration should be done
Foxxy 6 years ago
Some of these are in real bad taste and can cause severe reactions from unsuspecting people. Including people that have PTSD, recently lost a loved one to suicide etc. For someone to willingly to want to cause distress to other people is callous and uncalled for. And people who enjoy traumatising people is just sick and seriously need their head read.
Sill Marien 6 years ago
that's stupid and probably caused tons of unnecessary emergency services calls
Bukky Olaneye 6 years ago
Not children alone, adults could also be traumatized,not cool at all!
Full Name 6 years ago
"are often social critiques". Yeah, sometimes maybe but most of this is specifically meant to be outrageous and shocking for attention. F*****g with people who have empathy is no way to get attention, man. Please grow up and reflect on things and hopefully you'll leave stuff like these behind.
Mark Wilson 6 years ago
I want to know about the guy who carries around a fancy floor lamp all day
Lili Octopus 6 years ago
I can see a crime thriller where a killer hides a real body right out on the open and everyone thinks it’s one of the arty mannequins
Lauren Caswell 6 years ago
They did that in an episode of midsomer murders!
Load More Replies... Parmeisan 6 years ago
On the one hand, it's a bit of a shame that the handful of terrible ones (e.g. the ones that look like real people on the edges of buildings or like dead bodies) are completely overshadowing the many more that are cool, clever, and funny. On the other hand, it's a fair shake because the handful of terrible ones are simply unacceptable.
Paul McDaniel 6 years ago
If any of you have seen Doctor Who, you know why these are that much more terrifying.
Daniel Garcia 6 years ago
Interesting, but many of these look they are serial killers waiting for a victim.
miaow 6 years ago
These are very wrong!! We already need to make the world a safer place!! Why add to problem with your very unsafe and cruel artwork of mockery!! I'm sure plenty passerbys have overcome their struggles or trynig to get through the day, and seeing these fake human mannequins positioned in dangerous situations is hurtful1!! I hate these art!
Darren Wick 6 years ago
Good for awareness raising like the plastic, and the suicide one.. but i think the lack of information to explain what they were about especially ones that looked like someone needed help shouldnt go about helping to normalise seeing people in fountains, against walls, hanging
Reuben Reckless 6 years ago
This is nearly 20 years old. I remember seeing an exhibition of this work in 2001.
Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago
I got a kick out of most of these but it really stretches the definition of "art." How much talent does it take? My criteria is, if I could do it, it ain't art.
Ottmar Straub 6 years ago
Creative sickness - nothing for really sane people and not really good for children who are not as spoiled yet.
Cherie Danielle 6 years ago
This is in real poor taste. These are scary and make me think of people attempting suicide. It's just bad.
Roberto Durante 6 years ago
just a promotion for the book, the reason of everywhere the Amazon buy button
Lenient Ezeh 6 years ago
Why should they be illegal after all they are still artwork to the eye of human.
TDurden1988 6 years ago
People buying firearms in the mall= people traumatized by some f*****g mannequin. jeus christ, you all have some f*****g mental issue.
Dorothy Parker 6 years ago
I wonder how long these stay before they are vandalized or removed. Many are interesting, too many are frightening in that they'd create so much concern or public danger/driver distraction.
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