I thought my recent visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens was special enough with the spectacular orchid show going on currently, but little did I know there was an entire world of whimsy to behold outside!
Sculpture artist, Thomas Dambo is becoming world renowned for his cheerful and thought-provoking large scale trolls made out of recycled wood. You can even see all the places his huge trolls are ‘living’ throughout the world in a fun interactive map, aptly named the Troll Map.
Right now there is an instillation of six trolls sprinkled throughout the walking paths of the botanical gardens, and my partner Alan and I had a truly fantastic time enjoying one of the first days of spring and happening upon them during our stroll. This one even had his hand out ready to make friends!
“Trolls: Save the Humans blends art, nature and messages of sustainability in a unique outdoor art installation. ”
Dambo’s message is ultimately that trolls live for thousands of years and can see that the way many humans live cannot be sustained by the natural world long-term, so they have appeared bringing gentle reminders to treat the natural world a little more kindly… certainly a message we can all get behind! Read more about how he’s doing that here.
I really don’t know anything about Dambo’s building process other then the recycled material aspect. I assume he’s got a team helping out, and you can tell the faces and hands in particular are tightly and skillfully designed with so much dimension and personality!
Like this not-so-little fellow was supposed to be building a little garden maze out of a bucket of found pebbles (which are like hundred pound rocks to us). This pic was taken from an elevated walkway, and I just really adore the relaxed pose and the way he’s looking up with that casual smile as if we did just happen upon a sentient being doing an activity he loves. The attention to detail is really remarkable!
Now this next one hangin bird houses is not my photo. The light was hitting him in such a way that I couldn’t get a good one, but I wanted to share him anyway because I just LOVE the idea of them reaching up high to make sure the birds have a happy safe lil nest!
He was actually more in the trees than that pic shows and there were little bird houses hanging in a bunch of them surrounding him.
The last one may have been my favorite just because it plays with the Human Scale of Art that I teach my kiddos so well. The introduction of the Smart Car really just ties it into our ‘real’ world so nicely, and will never let me look at those cars the same way again!
I mean just look at how those bodies are crafted. The way the leg bends over and the positioning of the supportive arm - the proportions really check out!
Alan and I were actually lucky enough to make the acquaintence of another Dambo Troll at a super fun music fest, Hulaween 2022 (notice the costumes!), that we were even allowed to climb all over!
Hulaween is such a unique event full of dozens of interactive large scale sculptures, projections, sand castles, and lazer light shows - truly living art!
Ha! And last but not least.. I had almost forgotten about this adorable scene I fortunately captured at just the right moment.
3.26.2023