The Janis Project
Welcome To The Stories Behind Frank’s Artwork
In the background of this photo is a woodcut head of Trayvon Martin, which I created after his tragic murder.
This artwork was exhibited at the Ethan Cohen Gallery in New York, where I had the opportunity to meet Ethan and have intermittently collaborated with him since then. In the foreground, you can see the egg presented to me and 260 other artists by Faberge. As a playful art joke, I textured and painted it with Koi fish, humorously naming it “Caviar” as a reference to fish eggs in Russian.
Initially, I didn’t take the egg seriously, but it garnered significant attention in New York. It was featured at the Sacchi gallery, showcased in the New York Sunday Times, and displayed for a month at the NY Yacht Club. Eventually, the egg was sold at Christie’s auction house for several thousand dollars.
It was during this period that I traveled to Easter Island, having been disheartened by divisive comments made by viewers of Fox News regarding how Barack Obama had supposedly divided the country along racial lines.
On Easter Island, the concept of “Janis” was conceived—a fusion of the egg and the Trayvon Martin woodcut head. This artistic creation aimed to emphasize the notion that we all originate from a common source, highlighting the unity of the human race. Over the past decade, these artworks have dominated my life, encompassing the experiences and events I have described.
This photograph was taken casually ten years ago, before any of the significant developments I’ve mentioned had taken place.
This egg was presented to Frank Hyder along with 260 other artists by Faberge.
Frank Hyder’s The Janis Project, embarked on a remarkable journey that commenced in Istanbul, Turkey, with the invaluable support of Frank Del Rio, the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.
Over a period of three months, the project meandered along the European coastline, culminating in its final placement in Tallinn, Estonia.
Unexpected yet delightful daily installations aboard a luxurious Oceania cruise liner and its various ports of call left both cruisers and locals pleasantly surprised, sparking engaging conversations in multiple languages.
The project featured colossal, air-filled heads that intriguingly drew inspiration from diverse sources, including the Moai of Easter Island, Olmec heads, and Janus, the ancient Roman god symbolizing new ventures.
Simultaneously reflecting elements of street art and inflatable toy aesthetics, these sculptures made an immediate impression.
Janis serves as a powerful messenger of equality and goodwill, fearlessly venturing beyond the conventional realm of art museums and galleries to engage with the broader populace.
Crafted from resilient nylon and adorned with vibrant paint, Janis invites us all to contemplate the issues that often divide us, all while sharing a sincere smile of optimism.
Here are photos of Janis on display around the world!
Janis in Buenos Aires
Here Janis takes a stand in Buenos Aires Argentina.
Janis in Boynton beach
This is solar Janis it stands permanently in downtown Boynton Beach near city Hall. It is made of fiberglass and has solar sensors which illuminate Janis at night.
Solar Janis
Here is Solar Janis at night in Boynton Beach.
Janis Where Solidarity Was Born
Janis is standing where the Poles founded solidarity. This place launched a series of events that ended the Soviet Union.
Janis at the Michener Museum
Here we have Janis at the Michener museum after a snowfall . The Janis project had a 4 months exhibition.
Bronze Janis
This is a 36 inch tall bronze Janis installed by a private swimming pool in Vero Beach Florida.
Janis Inflatables
Here the Janis project on display at the Pennsylvania Academy Of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.
Janis Project
Here is the Janis Project on display at the museum of the Art students League on 57th street NYC.
Janis in the Andes
Here we see Janis in the Andes Mountains in Peru on its way to Machu Picchu.
Janis in Rio
Here is Janis on the beach in Ipanema Brazil . One of the world’s most beautiful places.
Janis in Poland
Here Janis is on the street in Danzig Poland on the 80th anniversary of the German invasion and the start of World War two.
Janis at Peddlers Village
Here The Janis project was featured for the weekend at the famous Peddlers Village in PA
Janis at Sagrada Familia
Here we have Janis on the ground in front of Sagrada Familia Antoni Gaudi masterpiece.
Janis in Brazil
Here Janis takes a stand in front of Brazil’s most famous Graffiti art.
6 ft Bronze Janis
This is a bronze Janis I made for an Israeli couple . It features a kippa which bears the emblem of the. Israeli Jewish Defense fund it stands on the patio in Miami Beach,
Janis in the foot prints of Columbus
In this place the courtyard of the palace of the King of Spain. Here is where Columbus presented 6 indigenous Americans to the King and Queen of Spain in 1492 . They were the first Americans in Europe.
Janis with Josh Altman
Here is Bronze Janis with Josh Altman of The Bravo TV show “million dollar LA real estate. Janis sits in his office behind him every show.
Janis in Philly
Here Janis on north Broad street in Philadelphia.
Janis in NYC
Here we have Janis paintings and a Janis fiberglass sculpture on Display at Art Miami in New York.
Janis in London
Here is Janis in front of the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London.
Janis in La Ramblas
Here is Janis in the Ramblas in Barcelona , this where the Spanish launched their Conquistadors on the world . Today it is one of the greatest tourist destinations in the world.
Janis in Ho chi min Vietnam
Here is Janis in Vietnam proudly standing where few Americans have been.
Janis at Ethan Cohen Fine Arts NYC
Here Janis installed at Ethan Cohen’s Chelsey New York art gallery The show was called Face off and featured a group of international artist. Janis was so large we decided to install it half in and out of the gallery.
Janis in Chicago
Here is one of Nine Janis set up on Monroe st in Chicago . Thousands of Chicago’s residents interacted with Janis over three days.
Janis gets Arrested
Here in Saville the Spanish police wanted to arrest Janis for being in public without a permit.
Here are several of Frank's most popular "Janis" pieces in the Online Gallery!
Just click on any of the items below or visit Frank’s Online Art Gallery.
You can conveniently purchase signed and numbered selections of his artwork.
Leasing/Licensing of Janis Inflatable Sculptures
Janis inflatable sculptures are available for leasing or licensing for public and private events.
The inflatable heads range in size from 4-11 feet tall and operate on 120 voltage. They are simple to install and inflate and can be deflated in less than 1 minute. The flick of two switches control the inflation and internal lighting.
They are self-contained and come with a built-in carrying case and tie-down lines and spikes for outdoor installation. Pricing varies with size, quantity and length of event.
Check out the image displaying many of the “Janis Installations” worldwide.
Please contact me for additional information regarding leasing and licensing details.
Janis can be displayed temporarily at your next event or permanently at your desired location, anywhere in the world.
Map of Janis Installations