Get ready, Austin residents and visitors—you're about to get a gigantic new neighbor. A towering troll is set to take up residence in Pease Park and it ain't no internet meme-ster. This authentic eighteen-foot specimen is the brainchild of Danish artist Thomas Dambo, known worldwide for his large-scale sculptures made from recycled materials.
According to a KXAN report, the piece will not only be an impressive addition to Austin’s urban landscape, but it's also environmentally friendly. A bulk of the material is reclaimed from a local water tower, with Harvest Lumber contributing milled wood from Austin's own fallen trees. The troll, fashioned diligently by Dambo and crew, is set to draw crowds come mid-March in its little woodland alcove just north of Kingsbury Commons.
Not a dime of public funds is being funneled into this project. Instead, the Tejemos Foundation is footing the bill for this innovative installment, as reported by the Pease Park Conservancy website. The conservancy itself is charged with the upkeep of the sculpture over its fifteen-year license. It seems the only thing taxpayers are spending here is time.
Meanwhile, Nicole Netherton, CEO of the conservancy, extolls the sculpture's virtues and alignment with the park's mission. "So much of the message Dambo is sending with these larger-than-life sculptures is about finding joy in nature and experiencing something magical when you’re spending time outside," she told Texas Monthly. The park officials have worked their tails off to ensure the troll harmonizes with nature, avoiding environmental disruption. A little magic, a sprinkle of Scandinavian design, and a whole lot of sustainability? Sounds like a win-win for Austinites.
For now, the city waits in eager anticipation as the troll's head, hands, and feet journey across the Atlantic, with Dambo's ecological message snugly packed inside the shipping container.
