Most of us try to steer clear of trolls in our everyday lives.
That is unless you visit the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center's folk-inspired trolls, meant to inspire guests to recycle by demonstrating how trash can be transformed into something beautiful and unique.
“TROLLS: Save the Humans,” created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, is an exhibition on the Aquarium’s nature trail that connects the north and south buildings. The six towering trolls comprising the aquarium's first changing outdoor exhibition will be on view through Jan. 20, 2025.
Each of them has a name, a background and is well traveled, having been to Georgia, California, Tennessee and Philadelphia before their Virginia Beach stop.
Dambo has built 136 trolls in 16 countries and is currently working on four new ones in Denmark. The sculptures are largely made from recycled lumber, including discarded shipping pallets.
Kamma Can is the first visible troll past the otter habitat and over a bridge, a marsh on both sides. Where humans see trash, Kamma Can sees potential, evidenced by her "jewelry," necklaces with dangling recyclables that range from tops and lids to dog and children's toys to single-use water bottles.
"She doesn't understand why humans leave trash in the woods or throw it away so quickly when it can be turned into something really beautiful," said Kristina Scott, public relations manager at the aquarium, who like the gallery educators, wears a similar necklace.
Each of the trolls was delivered in pieces and installed over several days with the help of Atlanta-based Imagine Exhibitions.
Speak quietly approaching Sofus Lotus, The Listening Troll, on all fours, his left ear to the ground. He was the first to notice that nature was changing its rhythm for the worse and urges us to restore harmony in nature.
The wild child of this collection, Basse Buller, is placed among the aquarium's interactive musical garden. The Painting Troll stands next to a giant wooden bucket; stones, leaves and sticks purposely scattered lead up to his feet, reminding us to push boundaries to spread the right message.
"He leaves things out to make sure we're taking the right path," Scott said.
Rosa Sunfinger, The Botanist Troll, wears a soft smile and a gentle expression. Happiest among flowers, she stands behind an abandoned roofless red car, sprinkled seeds inside to show that life can come from the smelly metal boxes that tote humans from place to place.
Ibbi Pip is for the birds. She carries a sack full of colorful birdhouses, passionate about demonstrating who we share the Earth with.
At 15 feet and 7,937 pounds, she is the tallest and heaviest of the trolls. Multiple birdhouses are scattered on the trail near her that will remain after the exhibit concludes.
Ronja Redeye, the troll closest to the north building, is the communicator, holding a flag said to be made with art created by Basse Butler.
"She reminds us to have compassion when speaking," Scott said.
The trail is paved and an enjoyable walk under shade with scenic views of Owl Creek, the highest salinity marsh in Virginia Beach.
Dambo refers to himself as a "dedicated dumpster diver" on his website, which details his mission of saving the world from drowning in trash. Though he initially explored graffiti along with hip-hop as forms of artistic expression, he transitioned to recyclables after building a birdhouse in 2006.
It's OK to touch the trolls and children are even encouraged to climb on them.
“TROLLS: Save the Humans” is included with general admission to the Virginia Aquarium and will be on display until Jan. 20, 2025.
