Over the last three years, Danish artist Thomas Dambo has been creating enormous sculptures from recycled materials. Most recently, he sprinkled six of his friendly giants around Copenhagen as a way to encourage people to visit the offbeat areas of his hometown.
The giant sculptures are a group effort, with local volunteers helping Dambo assemble the works. Made from 600 wood pallets, a shed, and an old fence, the scavenged wood comes together to produce incredible hidden giants. Each is named after a volunteer and can be found using a map Dambo prepared or a poem engraved into stones near the sculptures. “It invites the viewers to go on a treasure hunt, not only to see the sculptures, but also to discover hidden gems in nature,” Dambo shares.
Each piece interacts with the environment. For instance, Teddy Friendly, which was produced in conjunction with a local activation center and provided work for four unemployed people, sits next to a lake. His arm extended, he actually helps people across the tiny stream that feeds into the river. Little Tilde, located in an area filled with nature and wildlife, also furnishes a home for the animals she idly watches. Dambo filled the sculpture with 28 bird houses, establishing this give and take.
Artist Thomas Dambo used 600 pallets and other scavenged wood to install 6 giant wood sculptures in hidden spots around Copenhagen.
People are encouraged to go on a treasure hunt around Copenhagen to find the giant sculptures, using a map or clues found in poems near each artwork.
Dambo makes each recycled sculpture with the help of volunteers, who come with all types of experience.
Watch this video to see how the giant wood sculptures came to life.
Thomas Dambo: Website | Instagram
h/t: [Bored Panda]