# Mini Wire People Chris Mason's Social Climbing Series is Inspired by Renaissance Art and Comics By Meghan Young | Published 2012-05-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-climbing References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/chris-mason-social-climbing) & [thechrismason](http://thechrismason.com/) The Social Climbing sculpture series is made up of little wire people in typical [climbing positions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cling-stool). Although the title of the art installation suggests a more figurative theme (one pertaining to a class distinction), the Social Climbing series is more fixated on its literal translation. The [mini sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-sculptures) work together to climb up the walls of the gallery they are placed in. Created by Chris Mason, an artist born in New York and based in California, the Social Climbing sculpture series is inspired by High Renaissance Figurative Art and comic books. Intricate and adorable, Mason observes, “Like a glass half-full or half-empty, I find a subtle test of the optimism of the viewer in the ascending or descending interpretation.” ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Wire Sculpture Art:** Chris Mason's Social Climbing series demonstrates the potential for wire sculpture art as a new medium for artistic expression. - **Literal Interpretation:** The Social Climbing series highlights the rising trend of taking a more literal interpretation of art and design. - **Intricate Miniature Art:** The use of tiny wire sculptures in the Social Climbing series showcases the growing trend of intricate miniature art in the art world. ### Where This Applies - **Contemporary Art:** The Social Climbing series has the potential to disrupt the contemporary art industry by introducing a novel form of art. - **Home Decor:** The intricate and adorable design of the Social Climbing series is appealing for the home decor industry, offering a layer of sophistication. - **Comic Book Industry:** The Social Climbing series borrows elements from the comic book industry and can disrupt it by opening up new avenues of artistic expression. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Insect-Inspired Bronze Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-bronze-sculptures.md) - [Human Embraced-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wallmounted-sculpture.md) - [Fantasy Sculptural Furniture Pieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chris-wolston.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md) - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md) - [Whimsical Sculptural Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-block-series.md) - [Spiky Inflatable Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inflatable-sculptures1.md) - [Climbing Rope-Crafted Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entwined-objects.md)