Melting Wax Sculptures by Urs Fischer

At this year’s Venice Art Biennale, Swiss contemporary artist Urs Fischer had visitors in rapt attention at a full-size, extremely convincing wax replica of Giambologna's 16th-century sculpture The Rape of the Sabine Women. It is actually a giant candle, and burning. Melting wax is running in rivulets from the glowing hair of a Sabine. Gradually this beautiful statue will self destruct into a waxy lump during the months-long show. Facing it is a life-size realistic figure of a man who is also a candle, melting down by the minute. Also seen is a realistic looking wax chair.

The 54th Venice Art Biennale will be accessible  to the public until November 27th, 2011.

Photos by DesignBoom

[via The Guardian]