West coast artist Douglas Coupland has created the world's stickiest art installion called Gumhead. The two-metre tall, black resin and polyester sculpture of the artist's head is currently on display at Holt Renfrew Men in Toronto, ON. The art installation is described as a "gum-based, crowdsourced, publicly interactive, social-sculpture self-portrait."
Onlookers are supplied with bubble gum from a tiny vending machine within the store and are asked to chew the piece to stick it amongst the head where every they should choose. "From the moment anyone puts a piece of their own gum on it, it isn’t mine anymore, it’s theirs" says Coupland. The assortment of chewed gum is meant to distort the artist's resin face. This social experiment speaks to the changes that happen by multiple people within a society.
Sticky Art Installations
Gumhead by Douglas Coupland Allows People to Stick Chewed Gum to his Face
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourced Art - The Gumhead installation demonstrates the trend of crowdsourcing art, allowing multiple people to contribute and make the artwork their own.
2. Interactive Sculptures - Gumhead highlights the trend of interactive sculptures that invite audience participation, creating an immersive and engaging experience.
3. Social Experiment - The Gumhead art installation serves as a social experiment, reflecting the trend of using art to explore societal changes and dynamics.
Industry Implications
1. Art Galleries - Art galleries can incorporate more crowdsourced art installations like Gumhead to attract and engage with a wider audience.
2. Tourism and Experience Economy - The interactive nature of sculptures like Gumhead can enhance the tourism industry by providing unique and memorable experiences for travelers.
3. Social Media and Marketing - The Gumhead installation presents opportunities for businesses to leverage social media and marketing campaigns to promote audience participation and engagement with their brand.