Enchanting traveling exhibition at the Virginia Aquarium blends art, folklore and Conservation
Whether you are 8 or 80, it’s hard not to be enchanted by a group of special visitors, part of the TROLLS: Save the Humans traveling exhibition, currently inhabiting the wooded Nature Path at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach.
As you stroll the walkway between the Aquarium’s North and South buildings this fall, you’ll be greeted by six charming trolls, giant sculptures created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. These captivating creations are made from mostly reclaimed materials, primarily wood cut into geometric shapes and ingeniously fashioned into the imaginative characters Dambo uses to convey an important message about environmental conservation.
Each folklore-inspired troll has a name and a story about how they are helping humans reconnect with nature and consider the ways in which their actions affect the planet. The exhibition is designed to “inspire guests to create new adventures in nature while demonstrating how trash can be turned into something beautiful and unique.”
These six Save the Humans trolls have traveled to five locations including Georgia, California, Philadelphia, Tennessee and now Virginia. Dambo has created more than 100 of these sculptures in total, and more than 50 have been displayed in the United States. On average each sculpture uses about 2-3 imperial tons of material or about 8 cubic yards of wood.
There is 14-foot-tall “Kamma Can,” the creator: “Where humans see trash, she sees potential.” Seated in a peaceful posture with her massive wooden palms turned skyward, Kamma displays for visitors one of her handcrafted necklaces made of discarded items in an array of beautiful colors.
Standing at more than 11 feet tall and weighing in at 4,270 pounds is “Rosa Sunfinger,” the “soft introverted troll who cares for plants and other green creatures with her life-giving fingers.” You can’t miss Rosa as she is planting live greenery inside the body of a little red convertible next to one of the Nature Path’s Owl Creek overlooks.
TROLLS will be on display through January 20, 2025, and access to the exhibition is included with general admission to the Virginia Aquarium.
Learn more at virginiaaquarium.com.
