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Week 8 [03.12-09.12.18] History of Madame Tussauds

Millions and millions of people have flocked through the doors of Madame Tussauds since they first opened over 250 years ago and it remains just as popular as it ever was. There are many reasons for this enduring success, but at the heart of it all is good, old-fashioned curiosity. Today's visitors are sent on a unique, emotionally-charged journey through the realms of the powerful and famous.



Questions:
What do you think of Madame Tussaud's wax figures? Have you ever been to wax museums? Do not you think that they look creepy? Would you like to have your wax figure in a museum?

Comments

I know that the discomfort some people may experience near mannequins or in wax museums is called Glenophobia. Scientists are still discussing the possible reason for this phenomena, the most plausible theory as for me is that many people assosiate dolls and mannequins with corpses. Not many people can stand the gaze of a dead body as well.

However, apart from this major issue, wax museums provide an opportunity to see one of your favourite writers, musicians, etc. in somewhat different way than a photo.
Unknown said…
What do you think of Madame Tussaud's wax figures? Have you ever been to wax museums?
I've been in Madame Tussaud's few years ago in London and honestly, it didn't get my attention as it is said it should. It is some kind of fun to see famous actors, politicians or athletes, but after a while it turns out pretty boring. Nevertheless, I like when real people stand and pretend to be themselves as a wax figure, so they can surprise tourists.
Do not you think that they look creepy? Would you like to have your wax figure in a museum?
Yes, I find it a little creepy. The more real a wax figure looks, the more creepy it is to see a person, but.. dead? I feel the same way with animals filled up after death. Although I don't get any goosebumps or anything whatsoever, it is weird after a while to move around fake people, like big dolls but more human.
What do you think of Madame Tussaud's wax figures? Have you ever been to wax museums?
I have been in Madame Tussaud's musem in London and it was fun to be able to see some of the most famous actors, signers and personalities. After a while it became a little bit boring but in overall i enjoyed the visit in musem.
Do not you think that they look creepy? Would you like to have your wax figure in a museum?
Some of them actually looks weird but usually those wax figures are made with huge precision and focus into details. I don't find them creepy but I wouldn't like to have my own figure in such museum.
Unknown said…
I think that quality of wax figures and precision of details on them are amazing.
Yes, I was in wax museum two times. First time when I was I child and then I don’t really like it because I was not really into art and static figures was boring. Second time I was in wax museum last summer and I was really impressed that somebody can make wax figure looks like real person. I don’t think that it’s look creepy, it’s a possibility to see famous person at close range. No, I wouldn’t want my own wax figure, I think that it's creepy.
Unknown said…
Thank you for posting interesting article. I have never been to any wax figure museum so I can only judge wax figures from videos and photos and I like them. You can see great attention to details in all figures which make them look like real persons. In my opinion wax figures of celebrities do not look creepy, however having my own figure in such a museum would be a little bit weird for me.
Glenophobia? Very interesting. Yes, I think the association with the corpses is likely because these wax figures are very similar to real people. A bit like the situation when took photos of dead people, but in the photo, it seems that they were alive.
Hmmm, I would like to see some of my idols in this museum. After all, it is likely that there are figures that can be almost 200 years old, and this is a great opportunity to see what a person was like.
Very interesting observation did not think about stuffed animals in a similar way. And this is very strange because I really love animals and cry when they are killed. But in museums with their scarecrows, I did not even think about it and calmly watched.
I had the opportunity to go to a museum in Berlin. But seeing this giant line, I abruptly changed my mind to go there. Although before that I had already checked in Google a list of figures that are in the museum and I think that in Berlin the most boring exposition of all Madame Tussauds museums.
Well then, without a doubt, celebrities also believe that their wax figure looks like a creep. Although on the other hand, if they want to make your figure, it is a great honor. This means that you have achieved a lot and are quite popular. But to see live your fixed twin or even twin is a bit scary.
I am just in awe of the skill of the people who create these figures. Physical similarity alone is not enough to convey the image of a person. It is necessary to catch and understand the peculiarity of each and have the talent to display it in sculpture.
In the photo, they look quite interesting, and some figures are quite difficult to distinguish from the original. Although some do not feel the excitement and respect for the work of the author who created these works of art. I recently read that one of the visitors to the Madame Tussauds Berlin Museum tore off Hitler's sculpture. Of course, he can also be understood, but personally, to him poor Hitler did nothing. And let him be famous for his rather unsightly actions, but he is part of the story and many people are interested in looking at how he looked.
Unknown said…
Madame tussauds are wonderful, it's unbelievable to refine a man with wax.
Unfortunately, I have never been to such a museum, although I would gladly choose it, I heard about the fantastic wax museum in London, where all the amazingly done stars are.
I think it's an art and it's not frightening, but images could scare us, but it's not.
In the museum, yes, at home no.
Wife would not withstand two of us: D
Unknown said…
Madame Tussaud was definitely ahead of her time. Seeing a "breathing" wax figure of her creation must have been quite astonishing. Also the way she advertised her exhibition was quite innovative for that time.

I remember visiting a wax museum in Świnoujście during a school trip. It was very unique and somewhat traumatizing experience since the exhibition mainly contained the wax figures of people that would be considered by some as "freaks".

I would love to see my wax figure in the museum since I am curious how do I actually look from the third persons perspective. I guess the experience would be quite similar to hearing your own voice from the recording.
Wax figures are cool, i think that it is a very good way to remember history figures. I have never been to a wax figure museum, but i am not a very frequent visitor to museums anyway. I find these figures a bit creepy but, you know, anything can be classified as creepy these days. I am not sure if i would like to have a wax figure of myself, i cannot see any kind of advantages of disadvantages to this thus i cannot say anything on that matter.
I’ve been to Madame Tussauds in Berlin, the one near the Brandenburg Gate. The wax figures looked very realistic and I can see why some people might be excited to see their favourite celebrities or historical personalities brought to life.

I can also understand why some people find them creepy. Personally, I don’t but during my visit, I’ve seen people, especially young children who were very uncomfortable.

If I ever become so famous that Madame Tussauds would decide to make a wax figure of me in a museum, I wouldn’t care, to be honest. I interpret wax figures as art and for me, they’re no different from paintings.
Unknown said…
What do you think of Madame Tussaud's wax figures?
They are some kind of statues. Art. I don't like them personal because there is nothing interesting about them. Just a 1 to 1 model of some random person that I probably don't care about.

Have you ever been to wax museums?
Nope.
Do not you think that they look creepy?
Depends on how well made. And if it is a figure of Ozzy Osborn then yes. It looks creepy ;)
Would you like to have your wax figure in a museum?
Probably not. Why would I? I am not famous or anything. Not yet at least ;)
Peter Clemenza said…
What do you think of Madame Tussaud's wax figures?
It turns out quite boring.

Have you ever been to wax museums? Do not you think that they look creepy?
You'd have to be a self loathing masochistic psychopath to go there

Would you like to have your wax figure in a museum?
And what visitors are going to say? I saw one unknown guy? The purpose of this museum is to allow
people commune with celebrities (filling their conceit)
I've never actually seen any wax figure. But I'm not really a museum person. I understand how it might satisfy someone's curiosity. It looks pretty incredible even on video, I guess live it's so much more impressive, if not a bit creepy. For some, it might be in the area of uncanny valley - almost alive but in a strange way so artificial. So it might be an unsettling experience as well.
I never knew Madame Tussaud was creating her wax figures so long ago. This is a very interesting story and I admire her entrepreneurial spirit and her bravery to travel around the world to show her creations to so many people.
Szymon Gibalski said…

1. What do you think of Madame Tussaud's wax figures?
a. If you like to stare at other people I think that you will love this place in otherwise you will be bored.
2. Have you ever been to wax museums?
a. No, because it is not my cup of tea, I would prefer to visit other museum or go to the restaurant.
3. Do not you think that they look creepy?
a. Yes, a bit.
4. Would you like to have your wax figure in a museum?
a. No, I do now want to have my own wax figure in a museum, I think that exhibition called “Typical IT guy in his natural environment” would not be very popular.
Personally, I think, Madame Tussaud's wax figures are quite strange and boring. But I want to note that the accuracy and authenticity of the figures - amazing.
Yes, I have been in Madame Tussauds museum in London, in general, I liked it there, but I don’t see any reason to return there again.
I don't think that they look creepy, but realness level of wax figures is astonishing.
I don't mind having own wax figure, it sounds crazy but why not.
The wax figures are incredible! The attention to details and the style... the figures looks like living humans.
I've been once in a wax museum and it was interesting- I've learned about some famous people but... Well, wax figures are creepy- they are like... corpses? Someone in comments says it already.
And about having my own wax figure- nooo. It would be strange and... uncomfortable for me (if I would live)
Unknown said…
I'm not interested in figurines anymore, but I used to like to collect such things. I think these figures are very nice

I have never been to a wax museum.

It depends. I once watched the horror of a house of wax figures, I think so. And there they didn't look as scary as it may seem. I think it is a pleasant view

I wouldn't like to have my wax figure in the museum
I have been to Madame Tussaud's in UK. I must admit it was an interesting experience but it didn't come up to my expectations. Maybe I was expecting too much after standing in a queue for so long :D . I think that it is true that they look a bit creepy, I have no idea why though. When it comes to my own wax figure... I wouldn't like such thing. I don't feel that important to have it placed anywhere.
Frankly speaking, for me all this sounds a little dreadfully. My wax figure in a museum, ooh! I think, it is wonderful work. It is worth remembering, it first of all art. Nevertheless, I do not think that they look even so terribly to speak about it. On that it and art that we admire it now.
Unknown said…
Her wax figures look quite impressive but the history behind some these figures is quite messed up. No, I've never visited museums with fax figures.
I personally find them a little creepy especially if they are very realistic. Just imagine looking it in the eyes, they seem real and even alive but you know that they are just very accurate artificial statues of people. I think that some people would agree that working as a night security guard in that museum would be a quite creepy experience.
No, I wouldn't like to have my wax figure in the museum as it would be to creepy and strange for me.
Unknown said…
I like the idea of wax figures from Madame Tussaud. I have never been to wax museums but I will go to if I have a chance. Some figures look really creepy, especially in the dark room. I don't want to have my wax figure in the museum.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
1. I think It is really nice kind of museum, not only for children but also for adults. Althought people know that wax figures are not real, they enjoy spending time there and taking a pictures with famous wax figures.
2. I have never been to wax museum before. I had a chance when I was in London last summer but i I didn’t go. Next time I will definitely go!
3. I don’t think they look creepy although I have never seen them live. But In my opinion they are really cool. In the future I would like to go to Madame Tussaud’s museum at the nearest opportunity.
4. No I wouldn't :D
Patryk Górski said…
What do you think of Madame Tussaud's wax figures?

I think it's nice, you can spend some time there and you can't call it "wasted time", since this kind of wax museum is very unique. I didn't heard about any others, so I assume that Madame Tussaud's the biggest one.

Have you ever been to wax museums?

No, but I want to visit one some day.

Do not you think that they look creepy?

No, I think they're fine. Why it has to be creepy? They look like a real people, are normal people creepy? :D

Would you like to have your wax figure in a museum?

I'm not an well-known man, or I didn't achieve anything special for a community, so why should I have? I think it's fine for me to not have any wax figures
I ve been in Madame Tussaud in london 6 or 7 years ago and i was amused. It was really cool back then. Now i think it looks kinda cheap and creepy. I understand why kids want to go there as they can take a photo of their favourite hero or actor or any other celebrity. But for me, right now there is nothing interesting in it. Maybe hulk, hulk is awesome.

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