This woman left a huge pile of money next to a London canal to see what would happen
Lana Mesić, a professional photographer from Croatia, is currently living in London while undertaking a two month placement as winner of the Grolsch Unseen Residency, a project intended to 'encourage emerging artists to look at the urban environment with fresh eyes'.
With a brief to "investigate London as a prominent global financial capital," Lana created a tower of 15,000 2p coins for an installation.
When it was time for the tower to be dismantled, she was uncertain what to do with the coins, which weighed in at about 235 pounds in total.
Then inspiration struck - she decided to leave the coins, all £300 worth, on the canal path close to where she was staying.
The results were documented on Twitter by her host Jamahl McMurran:
So my Airbnb guest and I decided to place 15000 2p coins on the canal and record what would happen.... #coinsbythecanalpic.twitter.com/2oe93Bv0Ka
— Jamahl (@JHM_UK) May 17, 2017
Some people like to take photos and play #coinsbythecanalpic.twitter.com/ZfhpFi79v7
— Jamahl (@JHM_UK) May 17, 2017
Others need some change for their coffee #coinsbythecanalpic.twitter.com/BnNKsSKJDR
— Jamahl (@JHM_UK) May 17, 2017
This guy is awesome.... looking for some magic #coinsbythecanalpic.twitter.com/Dj4Dvojawn
— Jamahl (@JHM_UK) May 17, 2017
However, the fun couldn't last forever:
Bloke on the right: "that looks like a good idea... I'll go get a friend" #coinsbythecanalpic.twitter.com/O68QZAgs5E
— Jamahl (@JHM_UK) May 17, 2017
These guys decide to spoil everyone's fun #coinsbythecanalpic.twitter.com/Syo0C9Ug2j
— Jamahl (@JHM_UK) May 17, 2017
And now it's over.. cheers fellas #coinsbythecanalpic.twitter.com/ygdVddMMzr
— Jamahl (@JHM_UK) May 17, 2017
"I think the social experiment has gone viral because people love watching other people's behaviours," McMurran told Mashable. "Humans are naturally interested in what others do and how they behave in unusual circumstances."
"When you have something like this, it’s almost like a treasure pile," added Mesic. "Like a pirate with a chest of coins. It appeals to something magic."