Public Baffled After Mysterious Caveman Statue Turns Up In Minneapolis Park

A statue of a caveman encased inside a block of ice has materialised in a park in the USA, much to the surprise and amusement of the locals.

It's pretty similar to those metal monoliths that were popping up around the world towards the end of last year - remember them? - but this time we actually know who is behind it right from the start.

This particular work of art was stuck in the snow of Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis by Zach Schumack, who says his bizarre creation is aimed at getting people off their phones and out of their houses to experience the outdoors.

Schumack runs an 'experiential agency' called Leonic that designs experiences for businesses and events, and he was commissioned to create the caveman sculpture for an advertising agency last year.

They took it to the AdFed Awards last year, where it was a 'huge hit', so he decided to introduce it to a wider audience outside of the advertising industry by sticking it in a park.

It's better than leaving it in his garage, which is where it had been living until last week.

Speaking to Bring Me The News, Schumack explained: "We had always kind of had the idea - 'How fun would it be to put this thing in the woods somewhere where it just kind of shows up.'"

Quite fun, it turns out

He wanted to 'give people something else to talk about - something positive' and hoped that this unusual outdoor attraction might 'be something to encourage people to get out, go to the parks, go to the trails and explore the park' rather than sitting about the house.

Well, as long as they're doing it at a safe social distance, there's nothing wrong with that. The fresh air might do them some good.

He got the idea from a Danish artist called Thomas Dambo, who puts up trolls made out of pallet wood in weird places.

Then, he'd create a mysterious tale surrounding them, causing people to flock to see them.

Schumack continued: "I kind of knew this might have the same effect and it looks like it fits within the park in the snow.

"It gets people to come there and wonder about it."

His idea has certainly paid off, as people have turned up to visit the statue after it emerged in the park without explanation on 7 January.

After a few days, people started sharing pictures of the caveman, as well as asking how it came to be there. Even the Star Tribune, the local newspaper, picked up on the story.

Schumack added: "The goal of which we were going for as far as trying to create some positive interaction with the community seems to really be taking off, and the reactions have been, for lack of a better word, perfect."

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Zach Schumack

Topics: Art, Interesting, US News, US Entertainment, Weird

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

@TPWagwim