Is that a real person? Why a Dolphins player and the workers aren’t moving. Take a look
By Miami Herald Archives
Are they real? Sometimes it’s hard to tell.
One evening in 1991, security guards at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale called 911 when they couldn’t get a woman sitting in the lobby to move. Paramedics arrived to find the woman was actually a Duane Hanson sculpture.
The South Florida sculptor, who died in 1996, was known for showing common people in common poses so realistic that observers couldn’t believe their eyes.
One of his pieces, portraying a weary vendor, is in a Fort Lauderdale airport terminal. Another, of a young worker, rests against a wall of the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.
Let’s dip into the Miami Herald photo archives for a look at those eerily realistic ”people” created by Duane Hanson and seen across South Florida:
DOLPHINS PLAYER
Duane Hanson sculpture, “Football Player.” The 1981 has been in the collection of the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami. Miami Herald File
Young visitors at the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami check to see whether the “Football Player” is real. The 1981 oil on polyvinyl and mixed media sculpture by artist Duane Hanson was on display in this 2012 photo. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
Former Miami Dolphin kicker Garo Yepremian admires a Duane Hanson football player piece in 1981 Miami Herald File
Duane Hanson’s Dolphin player on exhibit at the Lowe Art Museum in 1981. Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File
WORKERS
“House Painter” by Duane Hanson in 1997. Miami Herald File
Duane Hanson piece at Rubinstein Gallery in Palm Beach in 1984. Miami Herald File
“The Young Worker” can be seen leaning against the wall at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach. Some people have asked the sculpture, wearing a watch, what time it is. Miami Herald File
Figure of a “Workman” by Duane hanson, Starting with bandage and plaster casts taken from real people, Hanson applies a mixture of polyester resin, talc and fiberglass to fill out body contours and to create subtle facial features, wrinkles and skin textures. He glues real hair to heads and arms, then dresses figures in appropriate clothing. Miami Herald File
REGULAR PEOPLE
Duane Hanson’s “Man with Camera” in 1992. Miami Herald File
In 2000, Duane Hanson’s sculpture “Old Couple on Beach” at the Coral Springs Museum of Art. Miami Herald File
A Duane Hanson piece on display at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale in 1991. Miami Herald File
A Miami Beach resident looks at the “Weight Lifter” sculpture created by Duane Hanson on display on Lincoln Road in 1994 Miami Herald File
A couple at a restaurant table by Duane Hanson. Miami Herald File
Duane Hanson’s “Sunbather in Black Bikini” in 1987. Miami Herald File
In 2007 at Art Week in Miami, Emily Greenough gets a closer look at Duane Hanson’s piece, ‘Fancy Dude Cowboy.’ The art looks so real it defies the eyes. It was being showcased by Van de Wegne gallery. Carl Juste Miami Herald File
A window box in front of the Broward County children’s library at the Young At Art Museum in Davie features a life-like poly-resin sculpture by sculptor Duane Hanson. Eileen Soler Miami Herald File
A visitor looks at a piece by artist Duane Hanson at Art Basel in Miami Beach in 2011. Pedro Portal Miami Herald File
“Lady With Coupons” at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale in 1982. Miami Herlad File
MAN AT THE AIRPORT
BROWARD 04/26/99.....In 1999, dculpture of a realistic-looking man listening to a walkman at the Fort Lauderdale airport. It’s “Vendor with Walkman” by Duane Hanson. Emily Michot Miami Herald File
A young visitor stares in wonder at “The Vendor” as he tries to figure out if it is real or not at the Fort Lauderdale airport’s Terminal 2 in 1990. Beth A Keiser Miami Herald File
THE ARTIST AND HIS WORK
In 1988, artist Duane Hanson becomes part of his own reaistic sculpture of “Queenie the Cleaning Woman.” Pete Cross Miami Herald File
Duane Hanson at work in 1977. Miami Herald File
Sculptor Duane Hanson assembles his super realistic work in 1990. This toy vendor is on display in a terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Miami Herald File
In 1984, Duane Hanson applies plaster to one of this works. Miami Herald File
