NYPD gets calls about rooftop art confused for jumpers

[April 20, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- New York City police have responded to 10 calls in the past few weeks from residents concerned that life-size body casts gazing down from buildings are real people preparing to jump.

The work by Antony Gormley consists of 31 life-size figures of the artist cast in iron and glass fiber. The sculptures were installed on pathways, sidewalks and rooftops of buildings surrounding Madison Square Park for an exhibit called Event Horizon beginning March 26.

The NYPD had alerted the public to the exhibit so they would know the figures were not residents in distress.

Police received a 911 call Wednesday at the Empire State Building, where one of the figures is located. A Yale University student jumped to his death from the building March 30.

[Associated Press]

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