Anyone taking a stroll along Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island, might be surprised to encounter a herd of 100 Indian elephants on their path...
But a closer look will reveal that each life-sized figure is actually a sculpture. The incredible traveling installation, titled The Great Elephant Migration, is organized by Elephant Family USA and Art&Newport.
The beautiful lifelike and lifesize sculptures were handcrafted by artisans living alongside elephants in India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and the sculptures are based on real elephants in the area. They’re crafted from the Lantana camara weed, which is native to the area.
The Great Elephant Migration exhibition not only celebrates the beauty of the majestic animals, but it also aims to promote habitat conservation and human-wildlife coexistence. “This way of looking at the world is rooted in mutual respect and reciprocity,” says Elephant Family USA. “There's a reverence for nature and all its inhabitants, and a belief that the earth will look after us if we are respectful towards the earth and all of its inhabitants.”
The elephant herd is currently on the first leg of its 3,500-mile journey across the U.S. In September, they will migrate to New York City, followed by stops in Miami Beach, Browning in Montana, and Los Angeles.
Discover more about The Great Elephant Migration project on the Elephant Family USA website. See also CoExistence Collective and Art&Newport
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