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30 Realistic Mannequins Placed Around The World To Mess With People By Mark Jenkins
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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.
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.”
Way to scare everyone into thinking a mass suicide is happening....
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
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.
Oh, wait...I saw this Torchwood/Dr. Who episode...It is a great idea and makes a very impactful statement.
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
I disagree. With all those mannequins there, how would you spot a real suicide attempt?
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awww...she thinks its street art. I wonder how much money it collected!
Note: this post originally had 58 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
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.
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.
Not only children, I found most of them creepy as hell and some would downright distress me. Also, not everyone is capable of understanding this, I'm also thinking about people with special needs (like my uncle, he would likely completely shut down when passing some) or maybe elderly with lesser eyesight...I really do not like this.
Regardless of whether they’re legal or not in various places, they are definitely shitty things to do EVERYWHERE.
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
Sorry but a lot of them are just fucked up. And should be illegal
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.
that's stupid and probably caused tons of unnecessary emergency services calls
Not children alone, adults could also be traumatized,not cool at all!
I wonder if the police call rates soared after these mannequins were placed. Some are very disturbing even when I know they are not real people.
Art? To me this is just being an ass.
"are often social critiques". Yeah, sometimes maybe but most of this is specifically meant to be outrageous and shocking for attention. Fucking 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.
100% disturbing
I cannot believe towns and cities are giving permission for this kind of art ... to troll people? some of these are straight from horror movies, I am sorry but I do not wish to be exposed for a realistic dummy pretending to be a suicide ... I assume he is doing a clean up as well? and his insurance covers psychologist in case of trauma?
I want to know about the guy who carries around a fancy floor lamp all day
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
They did that in an episode of midsomer murders!
Yeah until maggots start growing all over it :)
Great for an art fair, deeply disturbing in public.
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.
Art or stupid prank? I think the latter.
Crap the "Buy Now" button is now even on pages that aren't about weird stuff you can buy on Amazon
While I understand that it's not the best idea to put these in public, I do love the idea behind this project. I know I'd freak out if I was to actually see these while walking down the street, but I still like them.
I imagine the police received a lot of time wasting calls.....
If any of you have seen Doctor Who, you know why these are that much more terrifying.
Jenkins? More like Jerkins, am I right?
Some were funny, but actually, some were just plain sick.
only few really cool, the rest are quite disturbing
The Howard Stern of street "art."
Interesting, but many of these look they are serial killers waiting for a victim.
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!
In my humble opinion*
Mark Jenkins needs to get himself a new hobby...these are offensive and horrible
I wonder how many times the cops have been caught because of these sculptures
Locations would be great. Most of them are clever.
Very creepy and entertaining at the same time.
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
I love this!
This is nearly 20 years old. I remember seeing an exhibition of this work in 2001.
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.
I love this. Most art is controversial, and this has certainly upset a lot of people looking at the comments - but the pieces defiantly got people talking about it huh. I agree some of these are disturbing and dark, but life is sometimes bizarre
Creative sickness - nothing for really sane people and not really good for children who are not as spoiled yet.
This is in real poor taste. These are scary and make me think of people attempting suicide. It's just bad.
it's too dark
just a promotion for the book, the reason of everywhere the Amazon buy button
This is a repeat, isn’t it? I’m torn between liking these for their bizarreness, and being bothered the way other people here are: these can be terrible distractions for drivers.
Why should they be illegal after all they are still artwork to the eye of human.
bet a lot of cops were called...
So many of these would have me trying to help a person, and feeling like an idiot, and then..... maybe not trying to help the next person.....
Apart from the guy in the park and the alleyway who look like lurking rapists, I like them.
People buying firearms in the mall= people traumatized by some fucking mannequin. jeus christ, you all have some fucking mental issue.
Honestly this reminds me of some sort of horror movie. Not a good idea at all I see so many people (myself included) freaking out. This should not be legal
Most of these are NOT cool. Especially the one holding the baseball bat in the position about to swing at someone. Not okay.
I am 100% certain I would sh** myself, if not have a medical emergency, if I came across any one of these at night.
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.
Bored panda is reckless for this one, where's the disclaimer for people who have suicidal thoughts?? I don't see how this is art!!!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I agree with all those who think these should be illegal. In fact, for years I've been very concerned when I see a car being advertised on a billboard, showing a happy family driving along, completely unaware that if they step out of that picture of a car, they will fall to their deaths on the ground far below! It's time to STOP this cruel carnage!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
sensitive people need to learn how to have a laugh.
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.
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.
Not only children, I found most of them creepy as hell and some would downright distress me. Also, not everyone is capable of understanding this, I'm also thinking about people with special needs (like my uncle, he would likely completely shut down when passing some) or maybe elderly with lesser eyesight...I really do not like this.
Regardless of whether they’re legal or not in various places, they are definitely shitty things to do EVERYWHERE.
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
Sorry but a lot of them are just fucked up. And should be illegal
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.
that's stupid and probably caused tons of unnecessary emergency services calls
Not children alone, adults could also be traumatized,not cool at all!
I wonder if the police call rates soared after these mannequins were placed. Some are very disturbing even when I know they are not real people.
Art? To me this is just being an ass.
"are often social critiques". Yeah, sometimes maybe but most of this is specifically meant to be outrageous and shocking for attention. Fucking 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.
100% disturbing
I cannot believe towns and cities are giving permission for this kind of art ... to troll people? some of these are straight from horror movies, I am sorry but I do not wish to be exposed for a realistic dummy pretending to be a suicide ... I assume he is doing a clean up as well? and his insurance covers psychologist in case of trauma?
I want to know about the guy who carries around a fancy floor lamp all day
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
They did that in an episode of midsomer murders!
Yeah until maggots start growing all over it :)
Great for an art fair, deeply disturbing in public.
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.
Art or stupid prank? I think the latter.
Crap the "Buy Now" button is now even on pages that aren't about weird stuff you can buy on Amazon
While I understand that it's not the best idea to put these in public, I do love the idea behind this project. I know I'd freak out if I was to actually see these while walking down the street, but I still like them.
I imagine the police received a lot of time wasting calls.....
If any of you have seen Doctor Who, you know why these are that much more terrifying.
Jenkins? More like Jerkins, am I right?
Some were funny, but actually, some were just plain sick.
only few really cool, the rest are quite disturbing
The Howard Stern of street "art."
Interesting, but many of these look they are serial killers waiting for a victim.
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!
In my humble opinion*
Mark Jenkins needs to get himself a new hobby...these are offensive and horrible
I wonder how many times the cops have been caught because of these sculptures
Locations would be great. Most of them are clever.
Very creepy and entertaining at the same time.
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
I love this!
This is nearly 20 years old. I remember seeing an exhibition of this work in 2001.
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.
I love this. Most art is controversial, and this has certainly upset a lot of people looking at the comments - but the pieces defiantly got people talking about it huh. I agree some of these are disturbing and dark, but life is sometimes bizarre
Creative sickness - nothing for really sane people and not really good for children who are not as spoiled yet.
This is in real poor taste. These are scary and make me think of people attempting suicide. It's just bad.
it's too dark
just a promotion for the book, the reason of everywhere the Amazon buy button
This is a repeat, isn’t it? I’m torn between liking these for their bizarreness, and being bothered the way other people here are: these can be terrible distractions for drivers.
Why should they be illegal after all they are still artwork to the eye of human.
bet a lot of cops were called...
So many of these would have me trying to help a person, and feeling like an idiot, and then..... maybe not trying to help the next person.....
Apart from the guy in the park and the alleyway who look like lurking rapists, I like them.
People buying firearms in the mall= people traumatized by some fucking mannequin. jeus christ, you all have some fucking mental issue.
Honestly this reminds me of some sort of horror movie. Not a good idea at all I see so many people (myself included) freaking out. This should not be legal
Most of these are NOT cool. Especially the one holding the baseball bat in the position about to swing at someone. Not okay.
I am 100% certain I would sh** myself, if not have a medical emergency, if I came across any one of these at night.
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.
Bored panda is reckless for this one, where's the disclaimer for people who have suicidal thoughts?? I don't see how this is art!!!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I agree with all those who think these should be illegal. In fact, for years I've been very concerned when I see a car being advertised on a billboard, showing a happy family driving along, completely unaware that if they step out of that picture of a car, they will fall to their deaths on the ground far below! It's time to STOP this cruel carnage!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
sensitive people need to learn how to have a laugh.