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.

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

ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Hans Christian AndersenKing's GardenCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
N. F. S. GrundtvigVartov YardCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
Søren KierkegaardRoyal Library GardenCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
Ludvig HolbergThe Royal Theater, CopenhagenCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
Adam OehlenschlägerThe Royal Theater, CopenhagenCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
Frederik VAmalienborg Palace SquareCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
Christian IVØster Voldgade, CopenhagenCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
Tycho BraheCopenhagen ObservatoriumCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
Hans Christian AndersenCity Town Hall, CopenhagenCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
Hans Christian ØrstedØrstedsparken, CopenhagenCarsten Rudolf / David Peter FoxJens Jacob Tychsen
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Peter PanKensington GardensElla HicksonDaniel Roche
Queen VictoriaBlackfriars BridgeElizabeth DayPrunella Scales
Dick Whittington’s CatHighgate HillHelen LedererHelen Lederer
Hugh MyddletonIslington GreenTom BasdenJonny Sweet
The GoatSpitalfields MarketHugh DennisHugh Dennis
Eye IBishopsgateSara PascoeSara Pascoe
John WilkesFetter Lane, HolbornJeremy PaxmanJeremy Paxman
Rowland HillCity of LondonColette HillerAlan Johnson, MP
Hodge the CatGough Square, HolbornCatherine HillerNicholas Parsons
Isaac NewtonBritish LibraryTimberlake WertenbakerSimon Russell Beale
Sherlock HolmesBaker Street stationAnthony HorowitzEd Stoppard
"The Plumber's ApprenticePaddington stationRachel WagstaffHugh Bonneville
George Orwell"BBC Broadcasting HouseRobert SeatterMathew Horne
Queen VictoriaKensington PalaceKatrina BurnettPatricia Hodge
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Abraham LincolnBrazenoze SquareGary YoungeTom Conti
Reading GirlManchester Central LibraryJacqueline WilsonJenna Coleman
Alan TuringFairfield StreetMark RavenhillRussell Tovey
LS LowrySam's ChophouseKiran BenawaraDavid Neilson
John BarbirolliBridgewater HallMichael KennedyTimothy West
Queen VictoriaPiccadilly GardensKatrina BurnettPrunella Scales
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Harriet TubmanChristopher ParkEric MarcusHarrison Ghee, Claybourne Elder, Rosa Gilmore, Conrad Ricamora, and Tony nominee Jenn Colella
Robert BurnsCentral ParkWendy MacLeodAndrew Barret
Harriet TubmanHarlemTerry McMillanPatti Richards
William ShakespeareCentral ParkMarc AcitoMichael Perrie Jr
LincolnNew-York Historical SocietyPete Simpson
Frederick DouglassNew York-Historical SocietyTerry McMillanRobert Lacy Jr
George WashingtonFederal HallWendy MacLeodBart Shatto
Ludwig van BeethovenCentral ParkWendy MacLeodBruce Kramer
George WashingtonBrooklynWendy MacLeodBart Shatto
Hans Christian AndersenCentral ParkKim Fupz AakesonMads Mikkelsen
John EricssonBattery ParkMarc AcitoDavid Dencik
Gertrude SteinBryant ParkMarc AcitoStacey Lightman
Antonín DvořákStuyvesant Square ParkMarc AcitoJan Triska
Giovanni da VerrazzanoBattery ParkJoe GiordanoRoberto Ragone
Abraham LincolnUnion SquarePete Simpson
GandhiUnion SquareThrity Umrigar
Peter StuyvesantStuyvesant SquareChristine OttenMichael Wouters
George WashingtonUnion SquareWendy MacLeodBart Shatto
ConfuciusConfucius PlazaJean KwokGeoff Lee
BaltoCentral ParkWendy MacLeodJakob Oftebro

Ithaca

ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Lucy J. BrownHenry St. John BuildingLucy J. BrownLucy J. Brown
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
James JoyceEarl Street NorthRoddy DoyleGabriel Byrne
James ConnollyBeresford PlaceBrendan O'CarrollBrendan O'Carroll
James LarkinO'Connell StreetEnda WalshStephen Rea
O'Connell MonumentO'Connell StreetPaula MeehanRuth Negga
Wolfe ToneSt Stephen's GreenPatrick McCabeBrendan Gleeson
Oscar WildeMerrion Square NorthJohn BanvilleAndrew Scott
Meeting PlaceLiffey Street LowerRachel KilfeatherBrenda Fricker
George Bernard ShawMerrion Square WestArthur MathewsStephen Brennan
Molly MaloneSuffolk StreetMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
George SalmonTrinity College Dublin, College GreenJoe DuffyJoe Duffy
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Fontana del TritoneRomeDavid Peter FoxGabriel Byrne
Bocca della VeritàRomeDavid Peter FoxBrendan O'Carroll
Statue of Julius CaesarRomeDavid Peter FoxStephen Rea
Ecstasy of Saint TeresaRomeDavid Peter FoxRuth Negga
Michelangelo's MosesRomeDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Statue of Marcus AureliusRomeDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
Il BabuinoRomeDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Augustus of Prima PortaRomeDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Madama LucreziaRomeDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
Il FacchinoRomeDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
PasquinoRomeDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
Capitoline She-wolfRomeDavid Peter FoxBrenda Fricker
Abate LuigiRomeDavid Peter FoxStephen Brennan
MarforioRomeDavid Peter FoxMaria Doyle Kennedy
Laocoön and His SonsRomeDavid Peter FoxJoe Duffy
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Saint Denis statueParisDavid Peter FoxGabriel Byrne
Le Passe-MurailleParisDavid Peter FoxBrendan O'Carroll
Statua di Giulio CesareParisDavid Peter FoxStephen Rea
Ecstasy of Saint TeresaParisDavid Peter FoxRuth Negga
Statue du Général Charles de GaulleParisDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Statue of George WashingtonParisDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
Flamme de la LibertéParisDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Augustus of Prima PortaParisDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Statue de Jeanne d'ArcParisDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
Obélisque de LouxorParisDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
Buste de DalidaParisDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
kathe-kollwitzBerlinDavid Peter FoxGabriel Byrne
Marx-EngelsBerlinDavid Peter FoxBrendan O'Carroll
Moltke-DenkmalBerlinDavid Peter FoxStephen Rea
Luther-DenkmalBerlinDavid Peter FoxRuth Negga
Heinrich ZilleBerlinDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Der RuferBerlinDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
Lise Meitner DenkmalBerlinDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Bertolf BrechtBerlinDavid Peter FoxBrendan Gleeson
Hauptmann von KöpenickBerlinDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
The Lion FighterBerlinDavid Peter FoxAndrew Scott
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Statue “Amsterdams Lieverdje”AmsterdamRoddy DoyleGabriel Byrne
BorstplaatAmsterdamBrendan O'CarrollBrendan O'Carroll
Statue “Belle”AmsterdamEnda WalshStephen Rea
BoomzagertjeAmsterdamPaula MeehanRuth Negga
Statue Vrouw met StolaAmsterdamPatrick McCabeBrendan Gleeson
Rembrandt MonumentAmsterdamJohn BanvilleAndrew Scott
Multatuli statueAmsterdamRachel KilfeatherBrenda Fricker
Majoor Bosshardt MonumentAmsterdamArthur MathewsStephen Brennan
Multatuli statueAmsterdamRachel KilfeatherBrenda Fricker
Monument of Anne FrankAmsterdamArthur MathewsStephen Brennan
Sculpture De ViolistAmsterdamMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
André Hazes statueAmsterdamJoe DuffyJoe Duffy
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Hans Christian AndersenChicagoEric MarcusJ. Harrison Ghee, Claybourne Elder, Rosa Gilmore,
Conrad Ricamora, and Jenn Colella
Robert BurnsChicagoWendy MacLeodAndrew Barret
Bust of Jean Baptiste Point du SableChicagoTerry McMillanPatti Richards
The Picasso SculptureChicagoMarc AcitoMichael Perrie Jr
Man with FishChicagoPete Simpson
Frederick DouglassChicagoTerry McMillanRobert Lacy Jr
Miro's ChicagoChicagoWendy MacLeodBart Shatto
the Cowardly LionChicagoWendy MacLeodBruce Kramer
Cloud GateChicagoWendy MacLeodBart Shatto
Hans Christian AndersenChicagoKim Fupz AakesonMads Mikkelsen
Benjamin Franklin MonumentChicagoMarc AcitoDavid Dencik
The Chicago LincolnChicagoMarc AcitoStacey Lightman
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Giganticus HeadicusArizonaRoddy DoyleGabriel Byrne
James ConnollyArizonaBrendan O'CarrollBrendan O'Carroll
James LarkinArizonaEnda WalshStephen Rea
O'Connell MonumentArizonaPaula MeehanRuth Negga
Old Bill Williams statueArizonaPatrick McCabeBrendan Gleeson
Geronimo Surrender MonumentArizonaJohn BanvilleAndrew Scott
Madonna of the TrailArizonaRachel KilfeatherBrenda Fricker
George Bernard ShawArizonaArthur MathewsStephen Brennan
MinerArizonaMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
The Spirit of DetroitDetroitRoddy DoyleGabriel Byrne
James Scott statue and fountainDetroitEnda WalshStephen Rea
Thaddeus Kosciuszko StatueDetroitPaula MeehanRuth Negga
Select The Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ MonumentDetroitPatrick McCabeBrendan Gleeson
Statue of Alexander MacombDetroitJohn BanvilleAndrew Scott
Gateway to Freedom International Memorial to the Underground RailroadDetroitRachel KilfeatherBrenda Fricker
The Fist. Monument to Joe LouisDetroitArthur MathewsStephen Brennan
Antoine de la Mothe CadillacDetroitMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Ronald ReaganMiamiRoddy DoyleGabriel Byrne
James Scott statue and fountainMiamiEnda WalshStephen Rea
Miami BullMiamiPaula MeehanRuth Negga
Miami Beach Holocaust MemorialMiamiPatrick McCabeBrendan Gleeson
Juan Ponce de LeónMiamiJohn BanvilleAndrew Scott
Julia TuttevMiamiRachel KilfeatherBrenda Fricker
The Tower Of Snow StatueMiamiArthur MathewsStephen Brennan
ColumbusMiamiMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Centennial Land Run MonumentOklahomaRoddy DoyleGabriel Byrne
Pioneer WomanOklahomaEnda WalshStephen Rea
Golden DrillerPaula MeehanRuth Negga
As Long as the Waters FlowsOklahomaPatrick McCabeBrendan Gleeson
And Jesus WeptOklahomaJohn BanvilleAndrew Scott
The GuardianOklahomaRachel KilfeatherBrenda Fricker
The Tower Of Snow StatueOklahomaArthur MathewsStephen Brennan
ColumbusOklahomaMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)
Freedom SculpturePhiladelphiaRoddy DoyleGabriel Byrne
Thorfinn Karlsefni StatuePhiladelphiaEnda WalshStephen Rea
Lion fighterPhiladelphiaPaula MeehanRuth Negga
Joe Frazier statuePhiladelphiaPatrick McCabeBrendan Gleeson
Rocky StatuePhiladelphiaJohn BanvilleAndrew Scott
Christopher ColumbusPhiladelphiaRachel KilfeatherBrenda Fricker
The Tower Of Snow StatuePhiladelphiaArthur MathewsStephen Brennan
LincolnPhiladelphiaMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy

References

  1. ^ "'Talking Statues' project brings NYC history to life with a new smartphone app | 6sqft". Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  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