What does the following description sound like to you?
“A garden dotted with stone sculptures of Christopher Walken‘s head sticking out of the ground.”
Is that the setting for an unsettling horror film? No, somehow it is not (though it sounds like something right up Tim Burton’s alley). It’s an actual garden full of little stone busts of actor Christopher Walken, and while he is certainly an appropriate subject for such a weird piece of modern art, it’s somehow even stranger looking than you’d think.
Believe it or not, we first came across this unusual garden and its unique decor at Ripley’s, and it is the work of artist Bryan Zanisnik. It’s not just some random work of art either, it’s an official installation, titled “Monument to Walken,” as part of the Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition at the artist run Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens.
Have you been WALKEN through the Park in Queens, New York recently? You might lose you head! https://t.co/OoNhJSM6U2 #NYC #ChristopherWalken pic.twitter.com/IJW0gGbMkl
— Spicetag (@Spicetag) October 6, 2016
Photos: Christopher Walken's Disembodied Head Highlights Socrates Sculpture Park Exhibit https://t.co/47HcPks4E2 pic.twitter.com/ZGLOS0Ll7F
— Gothamist (@Gothamist) October 2, 2016
Legend has it that if you walk through the garden at night you can hear the faint playing of a cowbell. (No, we don’t feel badly about that joke.)
We have no idea what will happen to these pieces when the installation is removed, but if they go on sale you can always grab one to adorn your closet, turning it into a Walk-en. (No, no, we don’t feel badly about that joke either!)
If you want to see the installation for yourself, besides in a fever dream, the Walken statues won’t be heading out until the end of March next year. After that, the garden will be the Walken dead.
What other actor would have made for a good choice for this installation? Steve Buscemi? Gary Busey? Tell us your best idea in the comments below.
Featured Image: Miramax
Statue Image: Socrates Sculpture Park
