Strange Plastic Day

I stumbled upon these pictures in the Art section of the New York Times' photo galleries. They're creepy and cold and fantastic. Apparently one of the largest mannequin manufacturers, Lifestyle Forms and Display, is in Brooklyn -- a whole factory of people spending their days creating fake bodies from wood, plastic and wax. What a strange strange world this is, ours.

Umm?

I saw this today. And I'm still confused. What is the pedestrian sign guy holding? I can only assume it's an arty environment altering thing? 

Thoughts?