Wow! Gorillas

Last updated

Wow! Gorillas.jpeg

Wow! Gorillas was a project organised by Bristol Zoo in 2011 that displayed 61 decorated life-sized fibreglass gorilla sculptures on the streets of Bristol, England. [1] [2]

Contents

The project followed the concept of the “Land in Sicht” the original Swiss project by artistic director Walter Knapp, which has inspired the subsequent worldwide exhibition "CowParade" and similar exhibitions in other cities.

A final gorilla was put on display outside Dunkley's Chartered Accountants in Bradley Stoke. [3] Painted by Eloise Dunkley.

Significance

Gorillas have had an iconic significance for Bristol city since Alfred the gorilla arrived at the Bristol Zoo and was one of the first gorillas successfully kept in captivity. [4] At his death in 1948, Alfred was the oldest gorilla in the world kept in captivity. Alfred became so important for the city and for its meaningfulness in the effort of saving primates, that after his death his body was stuffed by taxidermist Rowland Ward and kept on display at Bristol City Museum. [5]

In March 1956 Alfred's body disappeared from the glass cabinet of the museum for several days before turning up in a doctor's office. The identity of the kidnappers remained unknown for over 50 years. When the mystery of the kidnappers was finally solved, the authorities declared that, although such illegal activities should never be condoned, no action would be taken. The disappearance was not malicious and was indeed regarded as one of the acts related to one of the most loved figures of Bristol city. [6]

This historical and current love and dedication towards primates made the project especially attractive to locals and visitors and initiated a cascade of other initiatives such as schools learning programmes, incorporating art and environmental awareness.[ citation needed ]

Aim of the project

The aim of the project was to raise awareness about the extinction crisis facing primates in the wild, and it is sponsored by the Bristol Zoo on the occasion of its 175th birthday and its long lasting effort to save primates in Cameroon, most notably at Ape Action Africa. The zoo has saved a number of gorillas and was then taking care of a group of six gorillas. [7]

After the street exhibition (between 6 July and 7 September 2011) the sculptures were sold at auction in Bristol on 29 September, raising £427,300, and the proceeds donated to charity. [1] [2] [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorilla</span> Genus of large African apes

Gorillas are herbivorous, predominantly ground-dwelling great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, and either four or five subspecies. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans, from 95 to 99% depending on what is included, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after chimpanzees and bonobos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bristol Zoo</span> Zoo in Bristol, United Kingdom

Bristol Zoo was a zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. The zoo's stated mission was to "maintain and defend" biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural world".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banksy</span> Pseudonymous England-based graffiti artist, political activist, and painter

Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist and film director whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. Active since the 1990s, his satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. His works of political and social commentary have appeared on streets, walls and bridges throughout the world. Banksy's work grew out of the Bristol underground scene, which involved collaborations between artists and musicians. Banksy says that he was inspired by 3D, a graffiti artist and founding member of the musical group Massive Attack.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve near the town of Hythe in Kent, England is set in 600 acres (2.4 km2) and incorporates the historic Port Lympne Mansion, and landscaped gardens designed by architect Sir Herbert Baker, for Sir Philip Sassoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Como Park Zoo and Conservatory</span> Zoo and conservatory in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

The Como Park Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are located in Como Park at 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, Minnesota. The park, zoo and conservatory are owned by the City of Saint Paul and are a division of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Its attractions include the zoo, the conservatory, an amusement park, a carousel, Lake Como, a golf course, a pool and more. The park receives more than 1.9 million visitors annually. Como Park is a free park and while no admission fee is charged for the zoo or conservatory, voluntary donations of $4 per adult and $2 child are suggested.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western lowland gorilla</span> Subspecies of ape

The western lowland gorilla is one of two Critically Endangered subspecies of the western gorilla that lives in montane, primary and secondary forest and lowland swampland in central Africa in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. It is the nominate subspecies of the western gorilla, and the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ragunan Zoo</span> Zoo in South Jakarta, Indonesia

Ragunan Zoo is a zoo located in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, Indonesia. The zoo has an area of 140-hectare (350-acre). The zoo has an aviary and a primate centre, and employs over 450 people. Many of the animals in the zoo are endangered and threatened from all parts of Indonesia and the rest of the world. There are a total of 2,288 animals inside the zoo. Laid out in a lush tropical habitat, rare animals such as crocodile, gorilla, orangutan, tapir, anoa, sumatran tiger, babirusa and peacocks are given ample room. The zoo is located in South Jakarta and is easily accessible through the Jakarta Outer Ring Road and TransJakarta Corridor 6 bus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captivity (animal)</span> Animal being held by humans

Animal captivity is the confinement of domestic and wild animals. More specifically, animals that are held by humans and prevented from escaping are said to be in captivity. The term animal captivity is usually applied to wild animals that are held in confinement, but this term may also be used generally to describe the keeping of domesticated animals such as livestock or pets. This may include, for example, animals in farms, private homes, zoos, and laboratories. Animal captivity may be categorized according to the particular motives, objectives, and conditions of the confinement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Place Project</span> Wildlife conservation park in South Gloucestershire, England

Bristol Zoo Project, formerly known as Wild Place Project, is a wildlife conservation park in South Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. It is run by Bristol Zoological Society (BZS) and was the sister site of Bristol Zoo Gardens until closure of that site in 2022. In summer 2023, Wild Place Project rebranded as "Bristol Zoo Project" following the transition of Bristol Zoo Gardens from their Clifton site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoo Aquarium de Madrid</span> Zoo in Madrid, Spain

The Madrid Zoo Aquarium is a 20-hectare (49-acre) zoo and aquarium located in the Casa de Campo in Madrid, Spain. The zoo is owned by the city, but is managed by the international entertainment operator Parques Reunidos. Opened in 1770, it is one of the largest zoos in Spain and one of the few zoos in the world that houses giant pandas.

Rachel Hogan, is a British primate conservationist, living and working in Cameroon in West Africa, and director of the charity Ape Action Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Kong statue</span> Sculpture by Nicholas Monro

A statue of King Kong by Nicholas Monro was commissioned in 1972 for display in Manzoni Gardens in The Bull Ring, in the centre of Birmingham, England. It was later displayed elsewhere in Birmingham, then at markets in Edinburgh, Penrith, at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, and now in the owner's garden in Cumbria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pattycake (gorilla)</span> Gorilla born in Central Park Zoo

Pattycake, also known as Patty Cake was a female western lowland gorilla born to Lulu and Kongo at the Central Park Zoo in New York City. She was the first baby gorilla successfully born in captivity in New York. Months after her much publicized birth, Pattycake's arm was broken when it got stuck in her cage as her mother grabbed her away from her father. The incident was sensationally anthropomorphized in the media as a domestic dispute between Lulu and Kongo, but in reality experts thought it was a simple accident.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gromit Unleashed</span> Public charity art trail

Gromit Unleashed was a public charity art trail led by Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal and Aardman Animations, in which 80 giant artist-decorated fibreglass sculptures of Gromit were displayed on the streets of Bristol and the surrounding area between 1 July and 8 September 2013. At the end of the art trail, the sculptures were auctioned to raise funds for Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity. The Grand Appeal pledged to raise £3.5 million for state-of-the-art equipment for Bristol Children's Hospital, including an intraoperative MRI scanner, family facilities and child-friendly artwork to help save the lives of sick children at the hospital. All funds raised by Gromit Unleashed contributed towards this. The project follows the concept of the "Land in Sicht", the original Swiss project by artistic director Walter Knapp which inspired the subsequent worldwide exhibition "CowParade" and similar exhibitions in other cities, including Wow! Gorillas which took place in Bristol in 2011. To date Gromit Unleashed has raised over £5 million for Bristol Children's Hospital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfred the Gorilla</span> Bristol Zoo (1928–1948)

Alfred the Gorilla arrived at Bristol Zoo, England, in 1930 and became a popular attraction and animal celebrity. His fame grew to international proportions during World War II and after his death he remained an important mascot for the city of Bristol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shabani (gorilla)</span> Gorilla residing in Japan (born 1996)

Shabani is a male western lowland gorilla, born at the Apenheul Primate Park in the Netherlands, raised in Australia and currently residing at the Higashiyama Zoo in Nagoya, Japan. He gained publicity in 2007 at Higashiyama Zoo when he was 10 years old by tightrope walking.

Timmy was a western lowland gorilla and a 25-year-long resident of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. He was primarily housed indoors at the Zoo's Primate, Cat & Aquatics building. The even-tempered silverback gorilla was euthanized at the Louisville Zoo after suffering from chronic cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis in 2011.

<i>Gorilla</i> (sculpture) Sculpture of Guy the Gorilla, Crystal Palace Park, London

The Gorilla sculpture by David Wynne stands beside the Lower Lake in Crystal Palace Park, in Bromley in south-east London. Completed in 1961 and installed in 1962, the black marble sculpture depicts Guy the Gorilla, a western lowland gorilla brought from West Africa to London Zoo in 1947. It became a Grade II listed structure in 2016.

Unicornfest is a public arts trail in Bristol, England to celebrate the 650th anniversary of Bristol. The trail features 60 giant unicorn sculptures designed by artists, designers and local talent. The unicorns are placed in various locations around Bristol, but some are further afield in Weston-super-Mare, Cheddar Gorge and Chew Valley Lake. Over 40 artists have created 60 unicorns between them.

References

  1. 1 2 "Bristol Zoo brings gorilla sculptures to city's streets". BBC News. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Gorillas make their mark on city". Bbc.co.uk. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  3. "Accountants & Auditors Bristol | Dunkley's". www.dunkleys.accountants. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. This is Bristol (2 September 2010). "Alfred the gorilla". Thisisbristol.co.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  5. "Alfred at Bristol's City Museum". BBC News. 2 September 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  6. Jenkins, Matthew (2 April 2017). "Who stole Alfred the gorilla?". Bristol Post. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  7. "Gorilla Family Island". Somerset.greatbritishlife.co.uk. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  8. "Wow! Bristol Zoo gorilla auction raises £427,300". Bristol247. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.

51°27′N2°35′W / 51.450°N 2.583°W / 51.450; -2.583