A magnificent herd of 100 life-sized elephant sculptures, handcrafted by Indigenous artisans from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in South India, has arrived in New York’s Meatpacking District as part of "The Great Elephant Migration," the largest public art installation in the city since 2005. Created from an invasive plant species, lantana camara, the sculptures not only serve as a striking visual reminder of the need for wildlife conservation but also raise funds for various NGOs dedicated to protecting elephants and other wildlife. Spearheaded by British animal rights activist Ruth Ganesh and Indian scientist Tarsh Thekaekara, the project is a collaboration between local tribes and global conservation efforts, with the sale of the elephants contributing to the ongoing removal of lantana and ecological restoration efforts in India. Supported by celebrities like Cher, Padma Lakshmi, and Susan Sarandon, the project has already raised over $1 million, with the goal of generating $10 million through the sale of these magnificent works. The traveling exhibition, which has captivated visitors in Newport, Rhode Island, and now in New York, will continue to make stops across the U.S., with upcoming appearances in Miami, Montana, and Los Angeles, accompanied by electric trucks designed to minimize the project's carbon footprint. More than just art, "The Great Elephant Migration" promotes a vision of peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife, encouraging a broader dialogue about conservation that extends beyond traditional boundaries.
Selena Mattei