# Disembodied Hand Sculptures Bruce Nauman's 'Fifteen Pairs of Hands' Exhibit is Truly Stark By Paul Maccarone | Published 2013-09-06 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fifteen-pairs-of-hands References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/bruce-nauman-fifteen-pairs-of-hands) & [speronewestwater](http://www.speronewestwater.com/cgi-bin/iowa/artists/record.html?record=1) Bruce Nauman's 'Fifteen Pairs of Hands' installation is one of the most distinct exhibits you will ever see. The [bronze sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-scad) show decapitated hands that are in captivating positions as they sit on top of individual steel bases. The entire concept is as otherworldly as it comes, and what's so impressive is that the focal point of the series are hands. Whether it's the Illuminati-signaling hands or the mirrored creations, each sculpture evokes a very surreal effect. Finding [distinct artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pure-exhibition) that is able to at once inspire and shock an audience is a difficult task these days. That Nauman was able to capture both feats with [his 'Fifteen Pairs of Hands' exhibit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/your-psychoacoustic-light-ensemble) speaks volumes about his talent and creativity. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 55% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Surreal Sculptures:** Creating surreal sculptures that inspire and shock audiences with their distinct artistry and concept. - **Decapitated Hands:** Exploring the concept of decapitated hands as a focal point in artistic installations, sparking intrigue and provoking thought. - **Captivating Positions:** Experimenting with captivating positions of sculptures to create an otherworldly effect, pushing the boundaries of traditional art displays. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art Galleries:** Art galleries can showcase surreal sculptures and installations like 'Fifteen Pairs of Hands' to engage audiences and offer unique artistic experiences. - **Metalworking:** Metalworking industry can explore new techniques and materials for creating bronze sculptures with intricate detail and unique visual impact. - **Art Education:** Art education institutions can incorporate the study of surrealistic sculptures and installations to broaden students' artistic perspectives and encourage innovative thinking. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Lightning-Inspired Artful Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bright-light-shining.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Artful Anime-Blending Split Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/split-bust.md) - [Insect-Inspired Bronze Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-bronze-sculptures.md) - [Human Torso-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lene-bdker.md) - [UK-Based Modern Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/relics-in-the-landscape.md) - [Mesmerizing Sculpture Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mesmerizing-sculpture.md)