Works of art aren’t usually intended to be tacky – unless you’re Douglas Coupland.
The well-known artist and author is unveiling a seven-foot-tall sculpture of his own head outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery later this month – and he wants passersby to stick their used chewing gum on it.
The privately funded project, titled “Gumhead,” is described as a “gum-based, crowd sourced, publicly interactive self-portrait” on Coupland’s website.
As more people stick their chewed gum on the piece, it will become completely covered with the sticky stuff.
“Coupland often involved others in the creation of his artworks and also relies on everyday objects – such as gum – as the very materials of his work, playfully refusing to heed any divisions between museums and mass culture in the materials he works with or the subject matter he addresses,” a write-up on the artist’s website reads.
The installation, which is made from steel, milled foam, resin and gum, will sit outside the gallery from the end of May through August.
Have your say: Do you think the gum head will be an eyesore?
