'Sad' figurines spark treasure hunt fun in Penang's George Town

An art hunt for "sad" figurines is gaining popularity in Penang.

- 

GEORGE TOWN - An art hunt for "sad" figurines is gaining popularity in Penang.

What began as a project for the 2024 George Town Festival is still creating buzz. These tiny figurines, called "Cement Eclipses" with their woeful, almost dystopian expressions — are hidden in plain sight within the Unesco World Heritage site and have spurred a treasure hunt of sorts.

Standing at 17cm to 20cm tall, the figurines are placed on corbels, in window nooks or even on electrical boxes.

Their melancholic facial expressions stand in stark contrast to the generally cheerful atmosphere of the historical city's colonial streets.

With their 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 street level.

The public art project by Spanish artist Isaac Cordal was created for the 2024 George Town Festival, but has now become a permanent feature.