The 3D version of the "Sign-Holding Little People" debuts, becoming a new landmark in Taichung by bridging the virtual and real worlds

Reported by You T-Ru / Comprehensive report

The wildly popular "Sign-Holding Little People" from the internet have come to life in the real world. Three locations along Taichung’s “Caowu Trail” now feature physical versions of these little figures—30 in total—standing an impressive 120 cm tall in real life. They’ve drawn crowds of onlookers, with many bringing their own signs to stand beside the little people and hold them up, as if stepping out of the virtual realm into reality and joining in the fun of shouting out loud with the little figures.


▲ The internet-famous “UP UP Sign-Holding Little People” can now be seen in real life. (Photo / from the Facebook page of the Chi Mei Museum of Art & Cultural Foundation)

The internet-famous “UP UP Sign-Holding Little People” can now be seen in real life. Located around Taichung’s Caowu Trail, near the Chi Mei Museum of Art & Cultural Foundation and Chi Mei Museum, they have been turned into 30 life-sized figurines standing alongside pedestrians holding signs. Twenty of them are arranged to spell out the phrase “art is good for u.” Many passersby, upon seeing the virtual world's sign-holding little people appear in real life, couldn't resist grabbing their own signs to speak their minds alongside the little figures.

“Turning the Sign-Holding Little People into an installation art piece was a challenging process because, unlike traditional artists who can express themselves through painting, these little figures couldn’t be handled that way,” said Wang Jiling, PR and planning manager at the Chi Mei Museum of Art & Cultural Foundation. After obtaining authorization from the original designer, Li Han, it took three months to create the little people. Including the signs they hold, the figures stand a total of 163 cm tall. In addition to processes such as molding and communication, the team also had to consider public safety and wind resistance during production. Each little figure underwent an elaborate process—from their initial “naked” state after the design sketches to being spray-painted in various colorful outfits.


▲ Each little figure went through an elaborate process—from their initial “naked” state after the design sketches to being spray-painted in various colorful outfits. (Photo / from the Facebook page of the Chi Mei Museum of Art & Cultural Foundation)


▲ Members of the public can bring their own signs to take photos with the little people. (Photo / from the Facebook page of the Chi Mei Museum of Art & Cultural Foundation)

The Sign-Holding Little People appearing on the streets of Taichung are part of an interactive art installation created by the Chi Mei Museum of Art & Cultural Foundation for the “Green Circle Summer Art Festival.” The entire art festival runs from July 5 to September 1, with the Caowu Trail as its centerpiece and surrounding neighborhoods as its extended venue, featuring 19 large-scale art installations. Wang Jiling mentioned that after the festival, there are hopes to keep the physical “UP UP Sign-Holding Little People” sculptures in place as a new landmark for Taichung, allowing the public to engage more closely with art. Therefore, visitors are reminded to treat the installations with care, avoiding climbing or damaging them so that the artworks can be preserved intact.