I Had to Play Along (8 Photos)

When real life joins the art

Some art only works with a volunteer. In these eight photos, people and one dog step into statues, murals and a pavement painting and complete the scene.

More: 100 Times People Stepped Into the Artwork

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🐘 One for the Elephant — By SCAF

The pink elephant appears to break through the wall while a person offers it a bottle. The person sits on a ledge right next to the trunk, so the bottle is within the elephant’s reach.

💡 Artist Fact: SCAF is a French artist from Lorraine whose work draws on realism and comic art, with a particular focus on animals and anamorphic illusions, according to Visit Southend’s artist profile.

More: 3D Paintings by SCAF

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🧻 A Little Help — The Thinker in San Francisco, USA 🇺🇸

A roll of toilet paper gives Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker a much less philosophical problem. Robin Williams makes the offer at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor, in a photo by Arthur Grace.

💡 Sculpture Fact: The large bronze version of The Thinker was first shown publicly in London in 1904, according to the Musée Rodin’s chronology.

📂 Artwork File · Sourced factsThe ThinkerAuguste Rodin · c. 1904 · Legion of Honor, San FranciscoBronze, 6 ft 6 in highAlexis Rudier castGift of Alma Spreckels1Alma de Bretteville Spreckels bought it through her and Rodin’s friend, the dancer Loie Fuller; it was one of her first Rodins.FAMSF2Rodin first called the figure The Poet: it represented Dante and was made around 1880 to sit above The Gates of Hell.Musée Rodin192411 NovLegion opens2008OctCommons photo201110 JulCommons photo20124 JunCommons photo201425 AugCommons photo201711 FebAntiques: emblem202426 AprCommons photo20249 NovCentennial party202626 AprMy Modern MetRead the full file →

More: Playing With Statues (9 Photos)

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🎩 Dressed for the Occasion

The suit and hat are painted on the gate. The dog supplies the face.

More: This One Is for the People Who Stop for Every Dog (12 Photos)

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💦 A Very Big Drinking Fountain — Singapore 🇸🇬

A visitor lines up with the Merlion’s water jet for an oversized drink. Local craftsman Lim Nang Seng built the 8.6-meter statue, which was unveiled in 1972.

💡 Landmark Fact: The Merlion was designed in 1964 as a tourism logo for Singapore, according to the National Heritage Board.

📂 Artwork File · Sourced factsThe MerlionLim Nang Seng · 1972 · Merlion Park, Singapore8.6 m tall, 70 tonnesBlueprint by Kwan Sai KheongConcrete over steel (NHB)1Lim had the help of all eight children, aged 11 to 23: the older ones did the eyes, the younger carved scales and fins.STB on Roots2In 2002 cranes lifted the 70-tonne statue over the Esplanade Bridge to move it 120 metres; it was airborne for about five minutes.STB on Roots197215 SepUnveiled2002MovedTo One Fullerton200928 FebLightning strike2011BiennaleMerlion Hotel202326 JulCracks reported202322 SepSTB: repair works20245 JulSTB: cleaning notice20256 JanSTB: cleaning notice20251 OctSTB: cleaning notice202620 AprSTB: cleaning 14 May202612 AugSTB: maintenance 8 SepRead the full file →

More: Playing With Statues (23 Photos)

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🐋 Your Turn — By Nikolaj Arndt

A beach ball and a waiting player turn Nikolaj Arndt’s painted orca into a partner. The pool stays on the pavement; the game happens in the photo.

💡 Artist Fact: Nikolaj Arndt, a Russian-German 3D street painter, has entered street painting competitions since 2008. He won first place for 3D art at StreetArt Wilhelmshaven in 2012, 2013 and 2018.

📂 Artwork File · Sourced factsLet’s Play?Nikolaj Arndt · 2011 · Wilhelmshaven, Germany3D street paintingFirst StreetArt FestivalChalk on paving (festival)1Arndt’s second photo shows a beach ball resting on the painted orca’s head, with nobody playing.Nikolaj Arndt (DeviantArt)2At the first festival, Udo Lindenthal won the 3D category and Arndt took second place; the festival’s gallery files this orca under his name.StreetArt Festival Wilhelmshaven20116–7 AugFestival weekend20118 AugArtist: “Let’s play?”20118 AugArtist: “orca”2011Result2nd place, 3DRead the full file →

More: This Feels Too Real (22 Illusions by Nikolaj Arndt)

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👎 Tough Crowd — By CHEONE and Mor Pavone in Nerviano, Italy 🇮🇹

A person on the ground gets a giant thumbs-down. CHEONE and Mor Pavone’s mural in Nerviano turns a low concrete bridge into a frame for the encounter.

More: Cosimo Cheone Caiffa with Mor Pavone in Nerviano

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👆 Right on the Nose

A raised bronze finger becomes a very personal greeting. One carefully placed face is all it takes.

More: Fun With Statues (26 Photos)

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👾 Ready for a Rematch — By SCAF

A person in a yellow wig squares up to SCAF’s pink creature. The costume carries the cartoon battle off the wall and into the rubble below.

💡 Photo Fact: SCAF often combines photographic staging with his 3D murals to strengthen the illusion, according to Visit Southend’s artist profile.

More: 3D Paintings by SCAF

🔗 Follow SCAF on Instagram