В развлекательном районе Westgate установили интерактивные скульптуры с призывом к защите животных

Westgate Entertainment District is adding an international touch to its ongoing property improvements with two wildlife-inspired sculptures designed to give visitors something more than another photo opportunity. The Glendale entertainment district recently installed two interactive works by British-Australian artists Gillie and Marc, whose public art combines whimsical characters with messages about wildlife conservation, acceptance and coexistence. “The White Rhino Bench of Friendship” is located at Fountain Park, while “The Giraffe and Chimpanzee Were on a Wild Ride to a Safer Place with Rabbitwoman and Dogman” is on display at Water Dance Plaza. Both are expected to remain at Westgate for at least a year. Ella Moritz, Westgate’s marketing coordinator, said the opportunity arose after a property in Miami contacted Westgate’s corporate property manager about becoming the sculptures’ next host. “Looking more into it and reading about it more, we just thought it was a great cause and something that would really benefit our property,” Moritz said. Interactivity is central to the two sculptures. Gillie and Marc are known for their Rabbitwoman and Dogman characters, which appear alongside endangered wildlife in works intended to encourage conversations about conservation. Their public art has appeared in more than 250 cities around the world, according to information provided by Westgate. The white rhino installation doubles as a bench, allowing visitors to sit alongside the animal. At Water Dance Plaza, guests can climb onto a tandem bicycle with Rabbitwoman, Dogman, a giraffe and a chimpanzee. Moritz said visitors have initially approached the unusual sculptures with curiosity before reading plaques explaining the meaning behind them. “It’s fun to see people hop on there, take pictures and learn that there is a purpose behind them, and they’re not just these fun, crazy sculptures,” she said. The conservation message was particularly appealing to Westgate because the district attracts different audiences depending on its concerts, sporting events, restaurants and other activities, Moritz said. “All we want to do at the end of the day is bring them together, whether that’s in our restaurants or at an event that we put on or host,” she said. “Not everyone looks the same and everyone’s different in their own way, but the amazing part is that we can bring everyone together.” Moritz said Westgate has traditionally offered activations and photo opportunities tied to entertainment or holidays, but the Gillie and Marc installations presented an opportunity to provide an attraction carrying a larger message. She said the experience could influence how Westgate incorporates public art and similar installations in the future. “It’s definitely something that we’re going to look into doing more of,” Moritz said. The sculptures also arrive as Westgate works to broaden its identity beyond the nightlife and concert crowds historically associated with the district. Moritz said tenant changes and property improvements are helping Westgate move toward attracting more families and daytime visitors, including a greater emphasis on brunch offerings, while maintaining its nighttime entertainment. “We’re trying to shift more into a brunch and family crowd,” she said. “Yes, we’ll still have tenants open at night, but not strictly just that nightlife crowd, so we’re trying to make it more inclusive and just welcoming for all ages and all crowds.” The sculptures are scheduled to remain accessible to visitors for at least one year, although Moritz said their stay could potentially be extended. Westgate also hopes its relationship with Gillie and Marc will continue beyond the current installations. For Moritz, the white rhino sculpture is particularly meaningful because of its potential to introduce younger visitors to wildlife conservation. “There are so many people that aren’t aware of endangered species or wildlife conservation,” she said. “I think it’s just so great that people of all ages, but especially children, can come together and just be more aware of what’s happening in our world.” As visitors encounter the sculptures during the coming year, Moritz hopes their appearance will prompt them to look beyond the characters and learn about the stories and conservation messages behind them. Westgate, meanwhile, will be watching how visitors respond as it considers what could occupy those spaces next. “It’ll be interesting to see the feedback we get on what we can do after these sculptures leave,” Moritz said.