Art is often made to resemble life but in this case --
Was the artist too effective?

A new video art display at the University of Hawaii Manoa recently startled a campus visitor, leading to an armed response by Honolulu police.

"My goal with my art work is to make art seem realistic," says Carl Lindstrom.

UH student Carl Lindstrom created what appears to be an unmanned security post with live monitors -- but in reality it is simply art.

"They feel like this could be real," says Lindstrom.

Four of the screens are live feeds -- the fifth is a video loop of an actor inside the gallery.

"By placing the video cameras so they can see themselves in one it automatically makes them think, oh this is really happening," says Carl Lindstrom, UH art student.

Last Thursday night someone believed.

"I guess a man was walking by about 8:30 at night and thought a man was wielding a gun in there," says Lindstrom.

"Campus security the first officers were on the scene about two minutes after that and right on their heels was HPD," says Gregg Takayama, UH spokesperson.

On their heels with guns drawn.

"All they knew is there was a call with a man with the gun somewhere in the art building," says Takayama.

"One of my friends who was actually in the art auditorium holding the doors shut," says Lindstrom.

A man who coincidentally resembled the actor was detained until police were informed the pre-recorded video was not real.

"I was more surprised by the fact that the cops would come out here with their gun drawn -- I guess everyone is freaking out because of the virginia tech incident," says John Hunter, witness.

"This is the room where it's actually happening," says Lindstrom.

Lindstrom says he came up with the concept of securrorism - living with fear and paranoia well before the Virginia Tech tragedy.

"You can't look at this and not think about that I guess so that has definitely become a part of the art piece," says Lindstrom.

Since the incident the gallery has been busy.

"It's a good thing I think -- it maybe caused a lot of stir that didn't need to happen but it's good to be aware," says Iwalani Siquig, UH student.

"Startle people and really speak without --- with it still being an art dislay," says Maya Iida, UH student.

A warning sign has been posted asking guests not to call police.

"I guess because of virginia tech --- they might jump to conclusions," says Katelyn.

The precise message of the artist.

"It really shows you how powerful art can be," says Iida.