Talking Statues

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Talking Statues is a project that was created in 2013 by documentary filmmaker David Peter Fox,[1] who is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Inspired by the book, Sculptures in Copenhagen by Jens Peters Munk, Fox went on to provide a history and backstory for the figures represented by the statues. The project consists of prerecorded voice-overs that are matched to various statues found in public areas using QR codes.[2] The first talking statue was the statue of Hans Christian Andersen in the King's Garden in Copenhagen[1] and, later, talking statues were created for public areas in cities such as Helsinki, New York, London, San Diego, Chicago, Vilnius, Parma, Dublin, Berlin, and Manchester.

Scanning the QR code at a statue
Map of Talking Statues Copenhagen

The City of Copenhagen funded the initial project, and the monologues were written by film director Carsten Rudolf in collaboration with David Peter Fox. Actor Jens Jacob Tychsen spoke the monologues.

List of statues

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Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Hans Christian Andersen King's Garden Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
N. F. S. Grundtvig Vartov Yard Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Søren Kierkegaard Royal Library Garden Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Ludvig Holberg The Royal Theater, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Adam Oehlenschläger The Royal Theater, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Frederik V Amalienborg Palace Square Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Christian IV Øster Voldgade, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Tycho Brahe Copenhagen Observatorium Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Hans Christian Andersen City Town Hall, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Hans Christian Ørsted Ørstedsparken, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Peter Pan Kensington Gardens Ella Hickson Daniel Roche
Queen Victoria Blackfriars Bridge Elizabeth Day Prunella Scales
Dick Whittington’s Cat Highgate Hill Helen Lederer Helen Lederer
Hugh Myddleton Islington Green Tom Basden Jonny Sweet
The Goat Spitalfields Market Hugh Dennis Hugh Dennis
Eye I Bishopsgate Sara Pascoe Sara Pascoe
John Wilkes Fetter Lane, Holborn Jeremy Paxman Jeremy Paxman
Rowland Hill City of London Colette Hiller Alan Johnson, MP
Hodge the Cat Gough Square, Holborn Catherine Hiller Nicholas Parsons
Isaac Newton British Library Timberlake Wertenbaker Simon Russell Beale
Sherlock Holmes Baker Street station Anthony Horowitz Ed Stoppard
"The Plumber's Apprentice Paddington station Rachel Wagstaff Hugh Bonneville
George Orwell" BBC Broadcasting House Robert Seatter Mathew Horne
Queen Victoria Kensington Palace Katrina Burnett Patricia Hodge
[edit]
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Abraham Lincoln Brazenoze Square Gary Younge Tom Conti
Reading Girl Manchester Central Library Jacqueline Wilson Jenna Coleman
Alan Turing Fairfield Street Mark Ravenhill Russell Tovey
LS Lowry Sam's Chophouse Kiran Benawara David Neilson
John Barbirolli Bridgewater Hall Michael Kennedy Timothy West
Queen Victoria Piccadilly Gardens Katrina Burnett Prunella Scales
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Harriet Tubman Christopher Park Eric Marcus Harrison Ghee,

Claybourne Elder, Rosa Gilmore, Conrad Ricamora, and Tony nominee Jenn Colella

Robert Burns Central Park Wendy MacLeod Andrew Barret
Harriet Tubman Harlem Terry McMillan Patti Richards
William Shakespeare Central Park Marc Acito Michael Perrie Jr
Lincoln New-York Historical Society Pete Simpson
Frederick Douglass New York-Historical Society Terry McMillan Robert Lacy Jr
George Washington Federal Hall Wendy MacLeod Bart Shatto
Ludwig van Beethoven Central Park Wendy MacLeod Bruce Kramer
George Washington Brooklyn Wendy MacLeod Bart Shatto
Hans Christian Andersen Central Park Kim Fupz Aakeson Mads Mikkelsen
John Ericsson Battery Park Marc Acito David Dencik
Gertrude Stein Bryant Park Marc Acito Stacey Lightman
Antonín Dvořák Stuyvesant Square Park Marc Acito Jan Triska
Giovanni da Verrazzano Battery Park Joe Giordano Roberto Ragone
Abraham Lincoln Union Square Pete Simpson
Gandhi Union Square Thrity Umrigar
Peter Stuyvesant Stuyvesant Square Christine Otten Michael Wouters
George Washington Union Square Wendy MacLeod Bart Shatto
Confucius Confucius Plaza Jean Kwok Geoff Lee
Balto Central Park Wendy MacLeod Jakob Oftebro

Ithaca

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Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Lucy J. Brown Henry St. John Building Lucy J. Brown Lucy J. Brown
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
James Joyce Earl Street North Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne
James Connolly Beresford Place Brendan O'Carroll Brendan O'Carroll
James Larkin O'Connell Street Enda Walsh Stephen Rea
O'Connell Monument O'Connell Street Paula Meehan Ruth Negga
Wolfe Tone St Stephen's Green Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson
Oscar Wilde Merrion Square North John Banville Andrew Scott
Meeting Place Liffey Street Lower Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker
George Bernard Shaw Merrion Square West Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan
Molly Malone Suffolk Street Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy
George Salmon Trinity College Dublin, College Green Joe Duffy Joe Duffy
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Fontana del Tritone Rome David Peter Fox Gabriel Byrne
Bocca della Verità Rome David Peter Fox Brendan O'Carroll
Statue of Julius Caesar Rome David Peter Fox Stephen Rea
Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Rome David Peter Fox Ruth Negga
Michelangelo's Moses Rome David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Statue of Marcus Aurelius Rome David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Il Babuino Rome David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Augustus of Prima Porta Rome David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Madama Lucrezia Rome David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Il Facchino Rome David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Pasquino Rome David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Capitoline She-wolf Rome David Peter Fox Brenda Fricker
Abate Luigi Rome David Peter Fox Stephen Brennan
Marforio Rome David Peter Fox Maria Doyle Kennedy
Laocoön and His Sons Rome David Peter Fox Joe Duffy
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Saint Denis statue Paris David Peter Fox Gabriel Byrne
Le Passe-Muraille Paris David Peter Fox Brendan O'Carroll
Statua di Giulio Cesare Paris David Peter Fox Stephen Rea
Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Paris David Peter Fox Ruth Negga
Statue du Général Charles

de Gaulle

Paris David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Statue of Georges Washington Paris David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Flamme de la Liberté Paris David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Augustus of Prima Porta Paris David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Statue de Jeanne d'Arc Paris David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Obélisque de Louxor Paris David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Buste de Dalida Paris David Peter Fox Andrew Scott


Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
kathe-kollwitz Berlin David Peter Fox Gabriel Byrne
Marx-Engels Berlin David Peter Fox Brendan O'Carroll
Moltke-Denkmal Berlin David Peter Fox Stephen Rea
Luther-Denkmal Berlin David Peter Fox Ruth Negga
Heinrich Zille Berlin David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Der Rufer Berlin David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Lise Meitner Denkmal Berlin David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Bertolf Brecht Berlin David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson
Hauptmann von Köpenick Berlin David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
The Lion Fighter Berlin David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Statue “Amsterdams Lieverdje” Amsterdam Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne
Borstplaat Amsterdam Brendan O'Carroll Brendan O'Carroll
Statue “Belle” Amsterdam Enda Walsh Stephen Rea
Boomzagertje Amsterdam Paula Meehan Ruth Negga
Statue Vrouw met Stola Amsterdam Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson
Rembrandt Monument Amsterdam John Banville Andrew Scott
Multatuli statue Amsterdam Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker
Majoor Bosshardt Monument Amsterdam Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan
Multatuli statue Amsterdam Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker
Monument of Anne Frank Amsterdam Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan
Sculpture De Violist Amsterdam Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy
André Hazes statue Amsterdam Joe Duffy Joe Duffy
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Hanc Christian Andersen Chicago Eric Marcus Harrison Ghee,

Claybourne Elder, Rosa Gilmore, Conrad Ricamora, and Tony nominee Jenn Colella

Robert Burns Chicago Wendy MacLeod Andrew Barret
Bust of Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Chicago Terry McMillan Patti Richards
The Picasso Sculpture Chicago Marc Acito Michael Perrie Jr
Man with Fish Chicago Pete Simpson
Frederick Douglass Chicago Terry McMillan Robert Lacy Jr
Miro's Chicago Chicago Wendy MacLeod Bart Shatto
the Cowardly Lion Chicago Wendy MacLeod Bruce Kramer
Cloud Gate Chicago Wendy MacLeod Bart Shatto
Hans Christian Andersen Chicago Kim Fupz Aakeson Mads Mikkelsen
Benjamin Franklin Monument Chicago Marc Acito David Dencik
The Chicago Lincoln Chicago Marc Acito Stacey Lightman
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Giganticus Headicus Arizona Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne
James Connolly Arizona Brendan O'Carroll Brendan O'Carroll
James Larkin Arizona Enda Walsh Stephen Rea
O'Connell Monument Arizona Paula Meehan Ruth Negga
Old Bill Williams statue Arizona Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson
Geronimo Surrender Monument Arizona John Banville Andrew Scott
Madonna of the Trail Arizona Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker
George Bernard Shaw Arizona Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan
Miner Arizona Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
The Spirit of Detroit Detroit Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne
James Scott statue and fountain Detroit Enda Walsh Stephen Rea
Thaddeus Kosciuszko Statue Detroit Paula Meehan Ruth Negga
Select The Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Detroit Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson
Statue of Alexander Macomb Detroit John Banville Andrew Scott
Gateway to Freedom International Memorial to the Underground Railroad Detroit Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker
The Fist. Monument to Joe Louis Detroit Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan
Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac Detroit Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Ronald Reagan Miami Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne
James Scott statue and fountain Miami Enda Walsh Stephen Rea
Miami Bull Miami Paula Meehan Ruth Negga
Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial Miami Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson
Juan Ponce de León Miami John Banville Andrew Scott
Julia Tuttev Miami Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker
The Tower Of Snow Statue Miami Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan
Columbus Miami Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Centennial Land Run Monument Oklahoma Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne
Pioneer Woman Oklahoma Enda Walsh Stephen Rea
Golden Driller Paula Meehan Ruth Negga
As Long as the Waters Flows Oklahoma Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson
And Jesus Wept Oklahoma John Banville Andrew Scott
The Guardian Oklahoma Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker
The Tower Of Snow Statue Oklahoma Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan
Columbus Oklahoma Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy
[edit]
Image Statue Location Author Actor(s)
Freedom Sculpture Philadelphia Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne
Thorfinn Karlsefni Statue Philadelphia Enda Walsh Stephen Rea
Lion fighter Philadelphia Paula Meehan Ruth Negga
Joe Frazier statue Philadelphia Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson
Rocky Statue Philadelphia John Banville Andrew Scott
Christopher Columbus Philadelphia Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker
The Tower Of Snow Statue Philadelphia Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan
Lincoln Philadelphia Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy

References

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  1. ^ a b "'Talking Statues' project brings NYC history to life with a new smartphone app | 6sqft". Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  2. ^ Thometz, Kristen (12 August 2016). "Chicago's Talking Statues Project Extended for Another Year". WTTW News. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  1. Boston Globe Voicing history 21. Oct. 2023
  2. New York Daily News Stonewall riots history comes to life 18. June 2023
  3. New York Times London gives artwork a voice 9. Sept 2014
  4. Chicago Tribune Chicago statues can talk 15. Mar. 2016
  5. Irish Times Talking Statues Dublin 5. Oct. 2017
  6. Untapped Cities New York Talking Statues 10. July 2017
  7. Politiken [1] 26. July 2022
  8. Aberdeen Live [2] 13. OCT 2023
  9. In your pocket Berlin [3] 20. Nov 2023
  10. POV International [4] 13. Nov 2021
  11. Boston University [5]18 Jan 2024
  12. Wbur Radio [6] 19. Oct 2023
  13. China Xinhua News [7] 19. Aug 2018
  14. Times Square Chronicle [8] Aug 9. 2020
[edit]

Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 | Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_Statues
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