17/06/2021 in Edinburgh Zoo
More than 40 huge giraffe sculptures will take to the streets of Scotland’s capital next year when Edinburgh Zoo’s Giraffe About Town trail goes live in Summer 2022, from 1 July to 29 August.
In partnership with Wild in Art, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) will display a herd of eight-foot-tall giraffe models across Edinburgh to help the city recover after lockdown and raise much needed funds for wildlife conservation.
Each sculpture will be designed and decorated by artists and communities to create the large-scale public art event, which will celebrate Edinburgh’s extraordinary heritage and cultural diversity.
David Field, RZSS chief executive, said, “Following a wonderful welcome for our real-life giraffes in their new hilltop home at Edinburgh Zoo, we now want to share these majestic giants with the city of Edinburgh and visitors from around the UK and the world, through a stunning, family- friendly art trail.
“After the immense challenges we have all faced over the last year, Giraffe About Town will help local people and tourists fall in love with Edinburgh all over again by encouraging them to get out about town and explore these beautiful sculptures, while at the same time supporting the recovery of our wildlife conservation charity.”
Ultimately, the sculptures will be auctioned to raise vital funds for RZSS after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the closures of Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park for five months, costing the charity over £1.5 million.
“Raising funds to continue our work is incredibly important and we have been touched by the support we have received from animal lovers who are passionate about protecting wildlife,” said Field.
“Giraffe About Town is one way we can say thank you and bring a feelgood factor back to Edinburgh with something truly special. It is also a really exciting opportunity for businesses, organisations, artists, schools and whole communities to get involved.”
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art said, “We are delighted to be working with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to create this art trail for Edinburgh. Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to everyone and we hope that businesses will recognize the cultural benefits of getting involved and sponsoring a giraffe as well as the positives for the local community.”
The Lord Provost of Edinburgh Frank Ross said, “This imaginative art trail is sure to be a fantastic sight on the streets of the capital.
“It will offer family-friendly fun and can help us all reconnect with the city, while promoting climate conversations and supporting the arts, a sector which has been hugely impacted by the pandemic.
“This is an excellent way to get involved with a city-wide project that will support the zoo, the vital conservation work of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and, in turn, protect endangered species around the world.”
To celebrate the launch, Giraffe About Town supporting partner Flock Creative worked with Edinburgh College of Art graduate Carolina Haraki to paint the first sculpture with a bright, colourful design inspired by the colours of Victoria Street and blossoming flowers representing rebirth, regrowth and recovery for the capital.
Potential sponsors for the project can find out more about how to get involved at edinburghzoo.org.uk/GiraffeAboutTown
Images
Hi-res images are available at the following Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f5x0f4nuxy6z2tq/AAAl6Nu_c34IKwrTj5Xvaxcla?dl=0
Images are free to use but please credit RZSS.
Notes to editors:
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Sophie Richards, Creative Director at Flock Creative, said, “As a talented, local graduate and passionate wildlife conservation supporter, Carolina was the perfect choice to paint the first Giraffe About Town sculpture. It was an honour to help bring her design to life.
“Everyone at Flock Creative is incredibly excited to be part of this amazing project and I want to encourage as many local people, businesses and community groups to get involved as possible.
“This is a really unique opportunity to get involved in a city-wide initiative that will also protect threatened species around the world by supporting the vital work of Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS to save animals from extinction.”
About the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
For further information, please contact comms@rzss.org.uk
About Wild in Art
Wild in Art is the leading producer of spectacular public art events that entertain, enrich, inform and leave a lasting legacy. It brings together businesses and creative sectors with schools and local communities through the creation of uniquely painted sculptures.
Since 2008 Wild in Art has animated cities across the world including Manchester, Sydney, Auckland, Cape Town and São Paulo, and created trails for the London 2012 Olympics, the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Historic Royal Palaces and Penguin Random House.
Wild in Art events have:
wildinart.co.uk | @wildinart | #wildinart
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