Aimee Walker
Hikers in a Minneapolis park were left freaked out when they spotted what appeared to be a frozen ‘caveman’ encased in a block of ice.
Local hikers were startled when they came across a mysterious monolith when on a trail in a Minneapolis park.
Situated between two trails in Theodore Wirth Park, the ‘Ice Man’ sculpture depicts a caveman called Zug Zug encased in plastic, resembling a block of ice.
The concept was thought up by artist Zach Schumack, as he had originally made the piece for a one-night marketing event.
Schumack told Fox 9: “Every day I would go to my garage and see this thing looking at me and it seemed like such a shame that this piece of art was just sitting there.”
He added: “I really like that it’s getting some attention because it’s getting people to get away from their TVs and computer screens.”
The artist told the TV station that he had wanted to create something that people would be able to enjoy and “give people something else to talk about – something positive.”
The sculpture is intended to “encourage people to get out, go to the parks, go to the trails and explore the park.”
Schumack then told MRPNews: “Talking to a little kid a little bit ago, and he found out that it wasn’t an actual real caveman.
“He was like, ‘wait — what? it’s not real?’ and you could see the look of a blown mind. I think that’s what art is supposed to do. It’s supposed to make you wonder, guess and talk about it.
“This piece was designed, even a year ago, to draw you in closer to really get you kind of engaged with the piece, and look for areas of clarity to see everything.”
Initially, the sculpture was planted in the park as a prank, even though Schumack hadn’t received permission. Yet word quickly spread and locals began to take selfies with the caveman and said they thought it was a clever stunt.
Since gaining popularity, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has shared its approval and has agreed to let the sculpture remain on site until the snow melts.
Schumack now has plans to share a second icy monolith named Zarah, yet he has refused to reveal where it will be placed.
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