shadow shot sunday

this week's shadow shot was taken during my last visit to the Milwaukee Art Museum.   this sculpture freaks me out no matter how many times I see it...



Duane Hanson (American, 1925–1996)
Janitor, 1973
Milwaukee Art Museum, permanent display

Does he scare you?  Do you find him a bit creepy?   He's extraordinarily life-like.

from the museum's summary of the sculpture ~

"Duane Hanson is well known for his hyper-realistic figures made of polyester and cast fiberglass enhanced by real clothing, accessories, and props. The realism of his sculptures draws the viewer in for a closer look and links Hanson with the Photorealist painters who also explored methods of copying as a form of image-making. Hanson’s intent, however, was not merely to reproduce reality but also to comment on the human condition. His subjects are ordinary people leading unremarkable lives—a cleaning lady, a woman shopping, a museum guard. The artist’s desire to infuse an emotional quality into his figures is evident in the Janitor. The humpbacked figure dressed in his work clothes leans against the nearest support and stares downward with one hand on his hip. His blank expression signifies resignation and the hopelessness of those caught in the daily grind."
"In the 39 years that Janitor has been leaning against a wall at the Milwaukee Art Museum human touch has altered his appearance.   Pieces of his brittle hair have broken off, revealing the yellow adhesive on the scalp. His skin is shiny, especially on his left hand, from the acid, salt, oil, Doritos dust and God knows what else is on people's fingertips. And his clothing has frayed.   At one time the museum even used a motion sensor to deter people touching him, until it got to be a game for kids to see how close they could get before the alarm sounded and a security guard came running.   Then a sign was posted on the wall,  declaring "please do not touch the art!!!".     Since the sign was posted, pawing of the Janitor decreased 90%. 
Over the years, people have stolen his wristwatch and pens and a pipe from his pocket, or added new ones. A child was caught unzipping the janitor's fly to "see if there was anything in there." There isn't, but for the record he's wearing white Jockey briefs.
The polyester and fiberglass janitor is periodically vacuumed, and the artist did some touch-up on the skin with oil paint in 1994. He died two years later of lymphatic cancer blamed on toxic resins and fumes from his life's work".
 ~Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 


Thanks for checking out my shadow shot this week.  shadow chasers gather every Sunday over at Hey Harriet.   head on over there and check them out.   happy weekend everyone.