Confusing, funny, or simply ridiculous — the world is full of weird sculptures that will make you scratch your head. Today, we will look at some of them.
Five Weird Sculptures That Will Make You Do a Double Take
“The Hell Hands” in the White Temple, Chiang Rai, Thailand
The White Temple is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Thailand. From afar, it looks like a palace that came right out of a fairy tale. However, as you investigate the temple more, you will notice an unsettling image — a bunch of snow-white, thin outreaching hands, which to the Western mind looks like sinners reaching out from hell, begging for salvation. However, according to sources, these hands are meant to symbolize unrestrained desire — something a true Buddhist must overcome to reach nirvana.
“Man Chasing Four Geniuses” by Gustav Vigeland, Oslo, Norway
This sculpture was created by the famous artist Gustav Vigeland, who was known to make rather shocking statues to convey complex emotions and relationships. “Man Chasing Four Geniuses” is located in Oslo, Norway, in a sculpture garden completely dedicated to exhibiting Vigeland’s art. It depicts an adult man who appears to be fighting four babies. No need to call protective services — the children are only metaphorical and represent the four evil spirits.
“Device to Root Out Evil” by Dennis Oppenheim, Vancouver, Canada
This object might look like an “upside-down house” type of attraction, but it is actually a sculpture by the acclaimed artist Dennis Oppenheim. It depicts a New England-style church standing on its steeple at an angle, making it look like it is diving under the ground. Oppenheim himself described this sculpture as a “very simple gesture.” However, sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most effective.
“Babies” by David Cerny, Prague, Czech Republic
Imagine walking down the street and seeing a sculpture of a giant baby. Nothing too unusual, right? But what if it had no face? It seems like the Czech artist David Cerny took it upon himself to fuel the nightmares of people who dislike children by creating off-putting art of them. His public art series titled “Babies” consists of babies with barcodes instead of faces, crawling up the walls and down the streets.
“Head” by Ron Mueck, San Francisco, USA
All of Ron Mueck’s works can technically be classified as weird sculptures, although they do have deep meanings. Previously a doll-maker for children’s television (talk about a creepy villain origin story), Mueck transferred his skills into an artistic practice, creating hyperrealist art. “Head” is a piece that is rumored to be a self-portrait.
As bizarre as these sculptures are, we cannot deny how impressive the skills and artistry are behind them. The weirdest art tends to leave a long-lasting impression on us, and that is something worth appreciating.
