Wow! Gorillas
Encyclopedia
Wow!Gorillas is a project sponsored by the Bristol Zoo
in 2011 that displays 61 decorated life-sized fibreglass gorilla sculptures on the streets of Bristol
, England
.
The project follows the concept of the “Land in Sicht” the original Swedish project by artistic director Walter Knapp which has inspired the subsequent worldwide exhibition "CowParade
" and similar exhibitions in other cities.
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. At his death, 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
.
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.
This historical and current love and dedication towards primates has made the project especially attractive to locals and visitors, and has initiated a cascade of other initiatives such as schools learning programmes, incorporating art and environmental awareness.
The aim of the project has been 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 to date, and is currently taking care of a group of six now living together on-site.
After the street exhibition (ten weeks between the 6th of July and the 7th September 2011) the sculptures were sold at auction in Bristol on 29th September, raising £427,300, and the proceeds donated to charity.
Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo is a zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. The zoo's stated mission is "Bristol Zoo Gardens maintains and defends biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural...
in 2011 that displays 61 decorated life-sized fibreglass gorilla sculptures on the streets of Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The project follows the concept of the “Land in Sicht” the original Swedish project by artistic director Walter Knapp which has inspired the subsequent worldwide exhibition "CowParade
CowParade
CowParade is an international public art exhibit that has been featured in major world cities. Fiberglass sculptures of cows are decorated by local artists, and distributed over the city centre, in public places such as train stations, important avenues, and parks. They often feature artwork and...
" and similar exhibitions in other cities.
Gorillas have had an iconic significance for Bristol city since Alfred the gorilla arrived at the Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo is a zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. The zoo's stated mission is "Bristol Zoo Gardens maintains and defends biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural...
and was one of the first gorillas successfully kept in captivity. At his death, 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
Rowland Ward
Rowland Ward was a British taxidermist and founder of the taxidermy firm Rowland Ward Ltd. of Piccadilly. The company specialized in, and was renowned for, their work on big game trophies, but their output covered all aspects of taxidermy...
and kept on display at Bristol City Museum
Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
The Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery is a large museum and art gallery in Bristol, England. It is run by the city council with no entrance fee. It holds designated museum status, granted by the national government to protect outstanding museums...
.
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.
This historical and current love and dedication towards primates has made the project especially attractive to locals and visitors, and has initiated a cascade of other initiatives such as schools learning programmes, incorporating art and environmental awareness.
The aim of the project has been to raise awareness about the extinction crisis facing primates in the wild and it is sponsored by the Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo is a zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. The zoo's stated mission is "Bristol Zoo Gardens maintains and defends biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural...
on the occasion of its 175th birthday and its long lasting effort to save primates in Cameroon, most notably at Ape Action Africa
Ape Action Africa
Ape Action Africa is a non-profit NGO founded in 1996 dedicated to the conservation of endangered gorillas and chimpanzees, threatened by the bushmeat trade in Central and West Africa. Ape Action Africa manages the rescue and rehabilitation of Great apes across much of Cameroon, with a large...
. The Zoo has saved a number of gorillas to date, and is currently taking care of a group of six now living together on-site.
After the street exhibition (ten weeks between the 6th of July and the 7th September 2011) the sculptures were sold at auction in Bristol on 29th September, raising £427,300, and the proceeds donated to charity.