I'm truly ecstatic to share with you one of my all time favorite street artist, Mark Jenkins. If you aren't familiar with him or street art, the purpose is to get the attention of its viewers, to make a statement and get people talking. They make you interact with them. I originally found out about Jenkins and his works was from his incredible tape animal installations. They are fun and whimsical, complete opposite of his other street installations. They are dark, mysterious and kind of creepy. These are the main points that interest me and make me admire his work. These definitely make a statement. It's more than just street installations. There is a deeper meaning behind these pieces and it's eerie just thinking about it.
Today in society people don't want to get involved with other people and their "problems." Seeing people walk by these eerie installations is a little chilling. It makes you wonder how people can just ignore certain situations. I mean, sometimes people find it easier to just look the other way and pretend that they've seen nothing. It's pieces like these that catches your attention and make you think about life. The juxtaposition of the colorful balloons against the static figure is bizarre. It brings a sense of inconsistency to a dark situation.
People react differently to all situations. That's what makes us unique, that's what make us who we are. I went to a play yesterday about people's perspectives and how everyone is the same but it's their views and how they react to certain situations that make them different. I honestly wouldn't know what to think if I were to see one of these sculptures on the street. Initially I might be shocked and try to stray away. But my curious side would lead me closer to them. Seeing a person in a trash can is not a sight seen daily.
Talk about getting people to stop. This installation is surreal and hallucinatory. It goes to the extreme to get its point across. This will literally stop you in your tracks and ponder about the piece. This is what Jenkins wants people to do. Stop and interact with their surroundings. Life is not only about helping yourself but helping others. Don't turn the other way when someone is in need. Walking past surreal situations is not a crime but it's strange to think about how many people actually do this. The statement that Jenkins is trying to portray is real and eerie.
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| photo via Mark Jenkins |
On a lighter note, Jenkins also makes tape installations that still interact with the environment, but are lively and merry. The complete opposite of his darker, more serious works. These were what initially drew me towards his work. They are fun, whimsy and unexpected. Mark Jenkins is undoubtedly one of my favorite street artists and you should check out more of his work
here!
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