Civic Center will soon play host to a massive exterior public art project that, contrary to first impression, is about the cute and cuddly topic of the environmental destruction of our planet. A City Hall press release informs us that the piece is titled "Intrude," and "features five monumental nylon rabbits that are inflated to 23 feet high and internally lit at night." The work of Australian artist Amanda Parer, the installation will run from April 4 through April 25 in front of City Hall just missing Easter by a week.
"We are proud to host Intrude, a remarkable family-friendly installation, and welcome these five rabbits to temporarily inhabit the heart of our City for all our families, residents and visitors to enjoy,” notes Mayor Ed Lee.
According to the artist's website, the rabbits are a reminder of the ecological destruction wrought upon Australia by the furry vermin, first introduced to the continent by white settlers in 1788.
"Rabbits in artist Amanda Parer’s native Australia are an out-of-control pest, leaving a trail of ecological destruction wherever they go and defying attempts at eradication," a description of the project reads in part. "Intrude deliberately evokes this cutesy image, and a strong visual humour, to lure you into the artwork only to reveal the more serious environmental messages in the work. They are huge, the size referencing 'the elephant in the room', the problem, like our environmental impact, big but easily ignored."
Recreation and Parks General Manager Phil Ginsburg is stoked about the installation, explaining that his department is “excited to host Intrude, which will bring a whimsical delight to Civic Center Plaza.”
The installation is coming to San Francisco a part of a worldwide tour, and after San Francisco it will travel to New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, and Denver.
"I expect people will be drawn to the rabbits’ playful appearance," notes Parer, "and I hope they will also take the time to understand the deeper meaning in the work and discuss how our actions impact the natural world in which we all live.”
While the deeper meaning will most definitey be lost on some, giant light-up rabbits sure do look cool.
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