Monument to the Unknown Artist
a statue that copies you
A playful Bankside statue near Tate Modern that detects and mimics the movements of people standing in front of it.
Free to visit · Bankside · Southwark · SE1 9TG
Opening: When active · daytime
Standing on a plinth near Tate Modern is a statue of an artist striking a heroic pose, but it has a surprising trick. Created by the art group Greyworld and titled Monument to the Unknown Artist, it uses hidden cameras and motors so that, when it is running, it detects the movements of people in front of it and mimics their poses back at them.
Strike a pose and the statue may copy you, turning a passer-by into an unwitting performer. It is a witty comment on art, fame and the figures we put on pedestals. It is free to encounter, a genuinely delightful surprise on a riverside busy with Tate Modern crowds.
Getting there: On Bankside near Tate Modern, a short walk from Southwark or London Bridge.
Best time to go: Daytime when the interactive mechanism is running.
Insider tip: Stand in front and strike a pose to see if the statue mimics you back, the interactive mechanism is not always running, so you may get lucky. It is right by the free Tate Modern, so combine the two on a Bankside visit.
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide