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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Look up, George Town: Spanish artist's sad sculptures invade Penang
GEORGE TOWN: At first glance, they are easy to miss. Perched on power boxes, tucked behind signboards, or suspended mid-air on building cornices — miniature cement figures gaze silently at the streets below, quietly observing the chaos and colour of the city. These sculptures form part of Cement Eclipses, a long-running global art project by Spanish sculptor Isaac Cordal, now subtly transforming Penang's capital into a living, breathing gallery of social commentary. What began as a temporary installation during the George Town Festival has evolved into a permanent, interactive "sad art" scavenger hunt that is captivating both locals and tourists. "We were wondering why so many people were looking up — and finally, we spotted the miniature figure. It was so intriguing that we started searching for more. We'd love to know the story behind them," said Annabelle Martin, 19, from England, when met at Lebuh Ah Quee, where one of the figures sat perched high above. Nearby, others can be found in locations such as Lebuh Armenian, a popular spot among visitors. Martin was accompanied by her best friend, Emily Pesquero, also 19, who is visiting Penang on a four-day holiday. "There's something funny and oddly moving about them," Pesquero said. Standing just 17 to 20cm tall, the sculptures typically depict middle-aged men in suits or tourist gear, slouched with weary expressions. Their body language speaks volumes — of fatigue, detachment, and quiet resignation. Yet while some interpret the figures as melancholic, or even macabre, Cordal insists their purpose is more layered. "They're placed high up not to isolate them emotionally, but to protect them physically," Cordal told the New Straits Times. "The idea is to create hidden moments — small, ironic, even humorous scenes that make you stop and wonder." Cordal began Cement Eclipses in 2006, as a response to society's obsession with productivity and relentless progress. Even the name is a metaphor — referring to the literal and figurative shadows cast by urban architecture. From London to Madrid, Hanoi to Penang, Cordal's cement men appear the same — tired, uniform, as if mass-produced by an invisible machine. "They all look like they come from the same mould. That's intentional," he said. "It's a metaphor for how neoliberalism mass-produces identity and behaviour." Currently, around 30 sculptures are dotted throughout George Town, most positioned at least three to four metres above ground. To find them, one must look up — at ledges, window sills, or rooftops. And in doing so, something shifts. "You begin to see the city differently. You slow down, you notice textures, cracks in the walls — the history behind each corner," said Martin. The project reflects Cordal's wider interest in urban intervention — using art not simply to beautify, but to question. His figures are not merely sad; they are critiques. "It's about stepping back and asking: what's the collateral damage of so-called progress? These figures are witnesses," Cordal said. With the addition of Penang, Cordal's work now quietly inhabits over 30 cities worldwide. In each, the figures serve both as visual commentary and urban 'Easter eggs'. While the characters remain consistent, their placement is always unique — subtly altering how we engage with public spaces. In George Town, the response has been particularly playful. Locals have started tagging their discoveries on Instagram, and cafés located near sculpture sites have reported increased footfall. Yet despite their sombre aesthetic, Cordal does not view his work as depressing. "There is sadness, yes, but also humour, irony, absurdity. It's the emotional contradiction that makes it real," he said. For George Town, the sculptures serve as a quiet reminder that art does not require a frame — or even eye-level visibility — to leave a lasting impression.
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Happy hunting for ‘sad art' in Penang's George Town
The tiny figurines hidden in plain sight within the Unesco World Heritage site of George Town have become a treasure hunt of sorts. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK GEORGE TOWN - An art hunt for little 'sad' statues is gaining popularity in Penang. What began as a George Town Festival project in 2024, the tiny figurines called 'Cement Eclipses' are still creating a buzz. With their woeful, almost dystopian expressions, the tiny figurines hidden in plain sight within the Unesco World Heritage site have become a treasure hunt of sorts. Standing at 17-20cm tall, they are placed on corbels, in window nooks or even on electrical boxes, making them a fascinating find. Upon closer inspection, their melancholic facial expressions stand in stark contrast to the generally cheerful atmosphere of George Town's colonial streets. With chins down, pensive looks, hooded heads, hands in pockets or poker faces, these figurines somehow compel visitors to search high and low for them. Some wear suits, one is dressed in casual tourist attire with a camera slung around the neck, while others are in shorts and T-shirts. All are securely fastened to structures, mostly more than 4m above road level. This public art project by Spanish artist Isaac Cordal was initially for 2024's George Town Festival and is now a permanent feature. Mr P. Chandra, 46, who recently turned it into a 'treasure hunt' for his family, successfully locating eight figurines. 'Someone forwarded a map link showing where these figurines are located to my wife,' he said. 'We tapped on the link, and the locations appeared on our Google Maps app. We decided to have a treasure hunt adventure in George Town.' Mr Chandra added that many statues are in places they typically drive past without truly observing. 'This gave us the opportunity to walk around and discover small biscuit shops, street art and cafes,' he said. 'We had never explored these parts of town before, and while searching for the figurines, we had breakfast, stopped for drinks and checked out various historical buildings along the way.' Mr Chandra, an associate director at a property management company, said it was a fun family day. 'We stopped after spotting eight figurines as it got too hot and my kids were becoming restless. 'We plan on returning to complete the hunt. This time, we will head out early to beat the heat,' he said. He said what stood out was the forlorn expression on the figurines. 'They look depressed. I expected cheerful faces. 'It did create a conversation with my children about different feelings and expressions,' he said. George Town World Heritage Incorporated Communications and Collaborations Department manager Vick Quah said the installation was one that stood out at the festival in 2024. 'It's an installation that showcases different human emotions in our day-to-day lives,' she said. 'Art is truly subjective, and we all experience different emotions in a single day.' Quah explained that the figurines depict various jobs and lifestyles, hence their different outfits. 'They portray different emotions, just like us, and some even appear happy,' she said. She said Cordal has similar installations worldwide and that it was his idea to place the sculptures around George Town. 'There are many lanes in Penang that we simply pass through without noticing its beauty,' she said. 'Cordal's idea was to place them in random locations to encourage people to stop for a few minutes and enjoy the lanes and streets here. 'We received positive feedback during the festival and are glad people are still on the hunt for them.' Cordal, when installing the sculptures, previously said they were installed across George Town, including in streets, alleys and buildings. 'They were designed to be discovered by the public and to blend into the surroundings, creating a sense of mystery and wonder. 'I installed around 20 sculptures in different parts of the city,' he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Happy hunting for ‘sad art' in George Town
Hidden in plain sight: One of the tiny figures seen (pic, right) on a corbel of a shop in Lebuh Pantai, George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: An art hunt for little 'sad' statues is gaining popularity here. What began as a George Town Festival project last year, the tiny figurines called 'Cement Eclipses' are still creating a buzz. With their woeful, almost dystopian expressions, the tiny figurines hidden in plain sight within the Unesco World Heritage site have become a treasure hunt of sorts. Standing at 17-20cm tall, they are placed on corbels, in window nooks or even on electrical boxes, making them a fascinating find. Upon closer inspection, their melancholic facial expressions stand in stark contrast to the generally cheerful atmosphere of George Town's colonial streets. With chins down, pensive looks, hooded heads, hands in pockets or poker faces, these figurines somehow compel visitors to search high and low for them. Some wear suits, one is dressed in casual tourist attire with a camera slung around the neck, while others are in shorts and T-shirts. All are securely fastened to structures, mostly more than 4m above road level. This public art project by Spanish artist Isaac Cordal was initially for last year's George Town Festival and is now a permanent feature. P. Chandra, 46, who recently turned it into a 'treasure hunt' for his family, successfully locating eight figurines. 'Someone forwarded a map link showing where these figurines are located to my wife,' he said. 'We tapped on the link, and the locations appeared on our Google Maps app. We decided to have a treasure hunt adventure in George Town.' Chandra added that many statues are in places they typically drive past without truly observing. 'This gave us the opportunity to walk around and discover small biscuit shops, street art and cafes,' he said. 'We had never explored these parts of town before, and while searching for the figurines, we had breakfast, stopped for drinks and checked out various historical buildings along the way.' Chandra, an associate director at a property management company, said it was a fun family day. 'We stopped after spotting eight figurines as it got too hot and my kids were becoming restless. 'We plan on returning to complete the hunt. This time, we will head out early to beat the heat,' he said. Chandra said what stood out was the forlorn expression on the figurines. 'They look depressed. I expected cheerful faces. 'It did create a conversation with my children about different feelings and expressions,' he said. George Town World Heritage Incorporated Communications and Collaborations Department manager Vick Quah said the installation was one that stood out at the festival last year. 'It's an installation that showcases different human emotions in our day-to-day lives,' she said. 'Art is truly subjective, and we all experience different emotions in a single day.' Quah explained that the figurines depict various jobs and lifestyles, hence their different outfits. 'They portray different emotions, just like us, and some even appear happy,' she said. She said Cordal has similar installations worldwide and that it was his idea to place the sculptures around George Town. 'There are many lanes in Penang that we simply pass through without noticing its beauty,' she said. 'Cordal's idea was to place them in random locations to encourage people to stop for a few minutes and enjoy the lanes and streets here. 'We received positive feedback during the festival and are glad people are still on the hunt for them.' Cordal, when installing the sculptures, previously said they were installed across George Town, including in streets, alleys and buildings. 'They were designed to be discovered by the public and to blend into the surroundings, creating a sense of mystery and wonder. 'I installed around 20 sculptures in different parts of the city,' he said. For a map app link to help you find the statues, email info@
