Talking Statues is a project that was created in 2013 by documentary filmmaker David Peter Fox, 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. The first talking statue was the statue of Hans Christian Andersen in the King's Garden in Copenhagen 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
Copenhagen link to website Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) Hans Christian Andersen King's Garden Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen N. F. S. Grundtvig Vartov Yard Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen Søren Kierkegaard Royal Library Garden Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen Ludvig Holberg The Royal Theater, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen Adam Oehlenschläger The Royal Theater, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen Frederik V Amalienborg Palace Square Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen Christian IV Øster Voldgade, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen Tycho Brahe Copenhagen Observatorium Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen Hans Christian Andersen City Town Hall, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen Hans Christian Ørsted Ørstedsparken, Copenhagen Carsten Rudolf / David Peter Fox Jens Jacob Tychsen
London link to website Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) Peter Pan Kensington Gardens Ella Hickson Daniel Roche Queen Victoria Blackfriars Bridge Elizabeth Day Prunella Scales Dick Whittington’s Cat Highgate Hill Helen Lederer Helen Lederer Hugh Myddleton Islington Green Tom Basden Jonny Sweet The Goat Spitalfields Market Hugh Dennis Hugh Dennis Eye I Bishopsgate Sara Pascoe Sara Pascoe John Wilkes Fetter Lane, Holborn Jeremy Paxman Jeremy Paxman Rowland Hill City of London Colette Hiller Alan Johnson, MP Hodge the Cat Gough Square, Holborn Catherine Hiller Nicholas Parsons Isaac Newton British Library Timberlake Wertenbaker Simon Russell Beale Sherlock Holmes Baker Street station Anthony Horowitz Ed Stoppard "The Plumber's Apprentice Paddington station Rachel Wagstaff Hugh Bonneville George Orwell" BBC Broadcasting House Robert Seatter Mathew Horne Queen Victoria Kensington Palace Katrina Burnett Patricia Hodge
Manchester link to website + Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) Abraham Lincoln Brazenoze Square Gary Younge Tom Conti Reading Girl Manchester Central Library Jacqueline Wilson Jenna Coleman Alan Turing Fairfield Street Mark Ravenhill Russell Tovey LS Lowry Sam's Chophouse Kiran Benawara David Neilson John Barbirolli Bridgewater Hall Michael Kennedy Timothy West Queen Victoria Piccadilly Gardens Katrina Burnett Prunella Scales
New York link to website Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) Harriet Tubman Christopher Park Eric Marcus Harrison Ghee, Claybourne Elder, Rosa Gilmore, Conrad Ricamora, and Tony nominee Jenn Colella Robert Burns Central Park Wendy MacLeod Andrew Barret Harriet Tubman Harlem Terry McMillan Patti Richards William Shakespeare Central Park Marc Acito Michael Perrie Jr Lincoln New-York Historical Society Pete Simpson Frederick Douglass New York-Historical Society Terry McMillan Robert Lacy Jr George Washington Federal Hall Wendy MacLeod Bart Shatto Ludwig van Beethoven Central Park Wendy MacLeod Bruce Kramer George Washington Brooklyn Wendy MacLeod Bart Shatto Hans Christian Andersen Central Park Kim Fupz Aakeson Mads Mikkelsen John Ericsson Battery Park Marc Acito David Dencik Gertrude Stein Bryant Park Marc Acito Stacey Lightman Antonín Dvořák Stuyvesant Square Park Marc Acito Jan Triska Giovanni da Verrazzano Battery Park Joe Giordano Roberto Ragone Abraham Lincoln Union Square Pete Simpson Gandhi Union Square Thrity Umrigar Peter Stuyvesant Stuyvesant Square Christine Otten Michael Wouters George Washington Union Square Wendy MacLeod Bart Shatto Confucius Confucius Plaza Jean Kwok Geoff Lee Balto Central Park Wendy MacLeod Jakob Oftebro Ithaca Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) Lucy J. Brown Henry St. John Building Lucy J. Brown Lucy J. Brown
Dublin link to website Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) James Joyce Earl Street North Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne James Connolly Beresford Place Brendan O'Carroll Brendan O'Carroll James Larkin O'Connell Street Enda Walsh Stephen Rea O'Connell Monument O'Connell Street Paula Meehan Ruth Negga Wolfe Tone St Stephen's Green Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson Oscar Wilde Merrion Square North John Banville Andrew Scott Meeting Place Liffey Street Lower Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker George Bernard Shaw Merrion Square West Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan Molly Malone Suffolk Street Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy George Salmon Trinity College Dublin, College Green Joe Duffy Joe Duffy Rome link to website Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) Fontana del Tritone Rome David Peter Fox Gabriel Byrne Bocca della Verità Rome David Peter Fox Brendan O'Carroll Rome David Peter Fox Stephen Rea Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Rome David Peter Fox Ruth Negga Michelangelo's Moses Rome David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Rome David Peter Fox Andrew Scott Il Babuino Rome David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Augustus of Prima Porta Rome David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Madama Lucrezia Rome David Peter Fox Andrew Scott Il Facchino Rome David Peter Fox Andrew Scott Pasquino Rome David Peter Fox Andrew Scott Capitoline She-wolf Rome David Peter Fox Brenda Fricker Abate Luigi Rome David Peter Fox Stephen Brennan Marforio Rome David Peter Fox Maria Doyle Kennedy Laocoön and His Sons Rome David Peter Fox Joe Duffy
Paris link to website Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) Saint Denis statue Paris David Peter Fox Gabriel Byrne Le Passe-Muraille Paris David Peter Fox Brendan O'Carroll Statua di Giulio Cesare Paris David Peter Fox Stephen Rea Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Paris David Peter Fox Ruth Negga Statue du Général Charles de Gaulle Paris David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Statue of George Washington Paris David Peter Fox Andrew Scott Flamme de la Liberté Paris David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Augustus of Prima Porta Paris David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Statue de Jeanne d'Arc Paris David Peter Fox Andrew Scott Obélisque de Louxor Paris David Peter Fox Andrew Scott Buste de Dalida Paris David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Berlin link to website Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) kathe-kollwitz Berlin David Peter Fox Gabriel Byrne Marx-Engels Berlin David Peter Fox Brendan O'Carroll Moltke-Denkmal Berlin David Peter Fox Stephen Rea Luther-Denkmal Berlin David Peter Fox Ruth Negga Heinrich Zille Berlin David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Der Rufer Berlin David Peter Fox Andrew Scott Lise Meitner Denkmal Berlin David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Bertolf Brecht Berlin David Peter Fox Brendan Gleeson Hauptmann von Köpenick Berlin David Peter Fox Andrew Scott The Lion Fighter Berlin David Peter Fox Andrew Scott
Amsterdam link to website Image Statue Location Author Actor(s) Statue “Amsterdams Lieverdje” Amsterdam Roddy Doyle Gabriel Byrne Borstplaat Amsterdam Brendan O'Carroll Brendan O'Carroll Statue “Belle” Amsterdam Enda Walsh Stephen Rea Boomzagertje Amsterdam Paula Meehan Ruth Negga Statue Vrouw met Stola Amsterdam Patrick McCabe Brendan Gleeson Rembrandt Monument Amsterdam John Banville Andrew Scott Multatuli statue Amsterdam Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker Majoor Bosshardt Monument Amsterdam Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan Multatuli statue Amsterdam Rachel Kilfeather Brenda Fricker Monument of Anne Frank Amsterdam Arthur Mathews Stephen Brennan Sculpture De Violist Amsterdam Michaela Mcmahon Maria Doyle Kennedy André Hazes statue Amsterdam Joe Duffy Joe Duffy
Chicago link to website ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)Hans Christian AndersenChicagoEric MarcusJ. Harrison Ghee, Claybourne Elder, Rosa Gilmore,Conrad Ricamora, and Jenn ColellaRobert BurnsChicagoWendy MacLeodAndrew BarretBust of Jean Baptiste Point du SableChicagoTerry McMillanPatti RichardsThe Picasso SculptureChicagoMarc AcitoMichael Perrie JrMan with Fish ChicagoPete SimpsonFrederick DouglassChicagoTerry McMillanRobert Lacy Jr Miro's ChicagoChicagoWendy MacLeodBart Shattothe Cowardly LionChicagoWendy MacLeodBruce Kramer Cloud GateChicagoWendy MacLeodBart ShattoHans Christian AndersenChicagoKim Fupz AakesonMads MikkelsenBenjamin Franklin MonumentChicagoMarc AcitoDavid DencikThe Chicago LincolnChicagoMarc AcitoStacey Lightman
Arizona link to website ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)Giganticus HeadicusArizonaRoddy DoyleGabriel ByrneJames ConnollyArizonaBrendan O'CarrollBrendan O'CarrollJames LarkinArizonaEnda WalshStephen ReaO'Connell MonumentArizonaPaula MeehanRuth NeggaOld Bill Williams statue ArizonaPatrick McCabeBrendan GleesonGeronimo Surrender MonumentArizonaJohn BanvilleAndrew ScottMadonna of the TrailArizonaRachel KilfeatherBrenda FrickerGeorge Bernard ShawArizonaArthur MathewsStephen BrennanMinerArizonaMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
Detroit link to website ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)The Spirit of DetroitDetroitRoddy DoyleGabriel ByrneJames Scott statue and fountainDetroitEnda WalshStephen ReaThaddeus Kosciuszko StatueDetroitPaula MeehanRuth NeggaSelect The Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ MonumentDetroitPatrick McCabeBrendan GleesonStatue of Alexander MacombDetroitJohn BanvilleAndrew Scott Gateway to Freedom International Memorial to the Underground Railroad DetroitRachel KilfeatherBrenda FrickerThe Fist. Monument to Joe LouisDetroitArthur MathewsStephen Brennan Antoine de la Mothe CadillacDetroitMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
Miami link to website ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)Ronald ReaganMiamiRoddy DoyleGabriel ByrneJames Scott statue and fountainMiamiEnda WalshStephen ReaMiami BullMiamiPaula MeehanRuth NeggaMiami Beach Holocaust MemorialMiamiPatrick McCabeBrendan GleesonJuan Ponce de LeónMiamiJohn BanvilleAndrew ScottJulia Tuttev MiamiRachel KilfeatherBrenda FrickerThe Tower Of Snow StatueMiamiArthur MathewsStephen BrennanColumbusMiamiMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
Ohklahoma link to website ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)Centennial Land Run MonumentOklahomaRoddy DoyleGabriel ByrnePioneer WomanOklahomaEnda WalshStephen ReaGolden DrillerPaula MeehanRuth NeggaAs Long as the Waters FlowsOklahomaPatrick McCabeBrendan GleesonAnd Jesus WeptOklahomaJohn BanvilleAndrew ScottThe Guardian OklahomaRachel KilfeatherBrenda FrickerThe Tower Of Snow StatueOklahomaArthur MathewsStephen BrennanColumbusOklahomaMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
Philadelphia link to website
ImageStatueLocationAuthorActor(s)Freedom SculpturePhiladelphiaRoddy DoyleGabriel ByrneThorfinn Karlsefni StatuePhiladelphiaEnda WalshStephen ReaLion fighterPhiladelphiaPaula MeehanRuth NeggaJoe Frazier statuePhiladelphiaPatrick McCabeBrendan GleesonRocky StatuePhiladelphiaJohn BanvilleAndrew ScottChristopher Columbus PhiladelphiaRachel KilfeatherBrenda FrickerThe Tower Of Snow StatuePhiladelphiaArthur MathewsStephen BrennanLincolnPhiladelphiaMichaela McmahonMaria Doyle Kennedy
References
Boston Globe Voicing history 21. Oct. 2023 New York Daily News Stonewall riots history comes to life 18. June 2023 New York Times London gives artwork a voice 9. Sept 2014 Chicago Tribune Chicago statues can talk 15. Mar. 2016 Irish Times Talking Statues Dublin 5. Oct. 2017 Untapped Cities New York Talking Statues 10. July 2017 Politiken 26. July 2022 Aberdeen Live 13. OCT 2023