If you find yourself on the square over the next month or so, and you come across a 1.3 ton elephant-shaped structure in front of the Town Center, don’t freak out. It’s not an April Fool’s joke.
Her name is Nomkhubulwane (Nom-Koo-bull-wah’-nee), and she’s one of 12 other elephants created by South African artist Andries Botha for a global project called the Human Elephant Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to “create an opportunity for thinkers, individuals, and corporates to join together, stimulate their imagination, collaborate, and harness their creativity for the overall health of the planet.”
The 12 elephants created by Botha are being displayed at various locations around the world. Currently, a full herd of 9 elephants made from recycled wood are located in Belgium, a fallen elephant made from recycled cider casks is in France, and an elephant made from recycled leadwood is located in Holland.
Nomkhubulwane, the elephant that will be on display in Fayetteville, was created from recycled truck tires. She’ll be in town from April 1 through May 18 before traveling to other destinations in North America. At some point, the idea is to reunite the entire herd in one place.
“The Human Elephant Foundation is a visionary and collaborative organization that initiates, co-ordinates and facilitates discussion and innovative problem solving to create a better, respectful and sustainable world,” reads the website for the project.
Nomkhubulwane will make her Fayetteville debut at 5:30 p.m. April 1 during First Thursday in front of the Town Center where Mayor Lioneld Jordan will make a special proclamation in her honor.
For more information on the Human Elephant foundation, visit humanelephant.org
Update: (3/31/10) – Her trip to Fayetteville was funded by Jim and Nancy Blair, Linda and Bob McBride, and Rosamund and David Banks. Walmart and BNSF Logistics helped transport her here.
Update: (4/1/10) – Slide show below.
If the above slide show doesn’t load, visit all the photos on our Flickr page.
I don’t get it.
Boy, it’s the “elephant in the room” as the city tries to portray itself as a destination for eco-friendly businesses while funding trash events like a second bike festival.
Man, I am starting to sound like one of those righties who derail every thread with birther nonsense.
Yope. Me either.
CRAZY AWESOME.
“Free your mind and the rest will follow” — a very wise woman
“Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow” – George goddam Clinton
@Sonia Thanks. That song has been stuck in my head all day today.
From the mission statement: “…for the overall health of the planet.” Juxtapose that with the picture of the flatbed trailer that is hauling this thing all over creation. This elephant has quite a carbon footprint. Could there really be a net benefit, or is this another of example of well-intentioned people doing something with no measurable benefit, just self-congratulation and guilt assuagement?
@Innarested Observer, please do not paint with such a broad brush. The vast majority of righties do not believe this birther nonsense, regardless of what you see in blog posts.
I just showed my kids this article and they are excited to see the big elephant. We will go downtown and probably spend some money at our local businesses.
There is a lasting lesson to be learned when you see up close a massive pile of materials most of us discard with little thought. The “net benefit” may not be immediate but if you use this piece of art as an educational tool, the lasting effects will benefit “the overall health of the planet”.
Duh!
@Fayettenam Resident, I anticipated some folks would point to the “consciousness raising” effect of this display. I do not doubt there may be some of that, but it is impossible to measure. That is why I used the term “measurable benefit”. I prefer concrete results over amorphous justifications.
I got to see Nomkoo while it was on the way into the city. The guy driving her truck was extremely friendly and more than willing to ask any questions any one had. It’s a really cool thing to see up close and amazing to think that one person is capable of all that…