Trolls in Southern California
Shall we go," he said, "from the woods that all folk know, and the pleasant ways of the Land, to see a new thing, and be swept away by time?" - Lord Dunsany
The South Coast Botanic Gardens was playing host to six trolls who’ve came to visit us humans to educate us on saving our environment. I missed the earth shaking and the rumbling at the gardens as the trolls arrived but was able to catch up with them on social media.
Somehow my plans to visit them just wouldn’t materialize until almost the last moment before they left the gardens. Thank you @monicakapur for being my companion on this my first visit to the South Coast Botanic Gardens.
I’ve lived in Southern California for forty plus years but had never visited the South Coast Botanical Gardens. I am grateful for the opportunities to wake up and smell the roses and explore where I live as I have never done before.
It was a gorgeous Southern California day with bright sunshine making us grateful for the opportunity to get some steps in while enjoying the ambiance and the butterflies to uplift our spirits.
We started off our visit at Ibbi Pip’s playhouse with the colorful bird houses hanging from the ceiling and a few human sized nests for photo opportunities.
Ibbi Pip is an advocate for animals and birds and creates these colorful creations to communicate with them.
We had to stop and try to capture these butterflies that were brimming with high spirits and refused to hold still for a command performance. Nevertheless, I managed to persevere.
As we walked along looking for the trolls, we spotted all kinds of marvels in the gardens.
The presence of the trolls was marked by these bird houses though sometimes we had to leave the road to find them.
Find them we did, all of them. These six larger than life trolls are created by Thomas Dambo from reclaimed materials. Each troll brings us a message of sustainability and preserving the earth for future generations.
Story has it that hundreds of trolls came together at “Trolliefolkyfest” to discuss us the damage that we humans are doing to our environment like cutting down forests, emptying rivers, and putting our future into danger. While most trolls think we can’t be redeemed, these six came out here to Southern California to spread their message.
Similarly other trolls have popped up in different parts of the world such as Denmark, France, Germany, China, South Korea, Chile, etc. to spread their message. Through his trolls, Thomas’ vision is to create art that inspires people to go explore, have adventures in nature, and demonstrates that trash can be turned into something beautiful.
I am so glad that I was able to go visit before they left my corner of the world.
Along our path were other interesting sculptures.
Some pretty modern looking.
I had a marvelous time at the garden, and I do plan to return to visit the light show Astra Lumia soon.
I am so pleased that as a part of pursuing my love of wandering I am also discovering adventures close to home.