GIANT ANIMAL PUPPETS EMBARK ON EPIC JOURNEY TO HIGHLIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

Fri 28 June 2024:

Life-sized lion and antelope puppets debuted in London, launching “The Herds,” a public art project symbolizing animals fleeing climate change effects on a 20,000-kilometre (12,400-mile) trek from central Africa to northern Europe.

Created by the team behind the “Little Amal” project, these puppets will journey from the Congo Basin to northern Norway, expanding their herd with native species along the way to raise awareness about climate change.

Artistic director Amir Nizar Zuabi explained, “As they travel from city to city, they will add more native species, growing the herd.”

The project aims to involve local communities by providing training and resources during stopovers. Zuabi emphasized the importance of local partnerships, saying, “Local knowledge and real partnerships with citizen groups propel this project.”

Designed by Zuabi and the Ukwanda Puppets and Designs Art Collective in South Africa, with assistance from London’s Wimbledon College of Arts, the puppets are made from biodegradable materials like cardboard and plywood. Designer and puppeteer Craig Leo noted, “We had to find ways to create structures that won’t break down too quickly.”

Zuabi hopes the project will remind people of wildlife’s beauty and inspire action. “We want to tell a story that evokes an emotional reaction and, in turn, create action,” he said.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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