This is breathtaking. (pics)

[mfcorey1]

If someone were to tell me that the people in these pictures weren’t real, I’d laugh in their face. The truth of it is, though, they’re not. They are creations of a London artist named Ron Mueck, who specializes in sculptures. He used to be a model maker and puppeteer for television and films (for example, he created Ludo the gentle giant in Labyrinth). Now, he focuses on making hyper-realistic sculptures of humans that have museum visitors staring for hours…

http://www.viralnova.com/ron-mueck-sculptures/

[Tikki]

1. Wow just WOW…...

Tikki

[cinnabonbon]

2. That is so freaking amazing.

I don't have words. Such talent!

[global1]

3. I Flew Into Orlando A Couple Of Weeks Ago And In The Terminal There Is A Sculpture Of A Weary....

traveler. I guy sitting against a wall looking tired and spent. At first I thought it was a real person as it was so life-like. He was in a glass enclosure. Then I read the plaque on the glass and found out it was a sculpture. I'm not sure if it was done by this London artist - but if you're ever flying through Orlando - look for it.

You can view the pic here - it's called "The Traveler"

http://www.airportmeetings.net/Walden_Pond_Places.htm

[babylonsister]

5. Not the same artist...

from your article:

This "guy" is actually a brilliant piece of artwork. It's a bronze (and painted) statue called "The Traveler" by Florida artist Duane Hanson.

[idwiyo]

4. k&r

[zeemike]

6. How the hell does he do that.

Usually you can tell a sculpture of a human as being that right away...but this looks real.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

11. Ever been to a wax museum?

[zeemike]

15. Yes I have.

but even from a distance they don't look real like this does.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

16. That is where the 'art' part comes in.

[eggplant]

7. Just wait until they all get the signal to get up and start doing his bidding. :-)

[840high]

8. k/r for amazing.

[oldandhappy]

9. wow I am sort of speechless.

The figures look real. I mean, really real. Hard to wrap my head around the figures being sculpture. Amazing. I did not know about this man. Thank you for the post.

[Demo_Chris]

10. Amazing!!! nt

[BarackTheVote]

12. I despise most modern art

It's nice to see people who still put a lot of effort into their craft. Spectacular stuff! Hope I get to see it in person someday!

[Uncle Joe]

13. That's outstanding work!

Thanks for the thread, mfcorey.

[Courtesy Flush]

14. I have seen a disturbing trend in realist art.

I follow a lot of artists and art websites, and it seems to be more and more difficult to discern the difference between art and fashion illustration (I'm exaggerating, but only a little). Successful realists these days have abandoned the notion that there is dignity and beauty in all of us, and have adopted a philosophy that artists' subjects should look like super models.

So I'm not only impressed with Ron Mueck's skill level, I'm delighted that he is inclusive of us average-looking people.

Artists often talk of seeing differently than non-artists. This is usually interpreted as having an ability to reproduce what is in front of them. But for me, it also includes the ability to see beauty in things that the world ignores.

In other words, good post.