Filoli

For this month’s adventure, we visited Filoli House and Garden in Woodside to experience TROLLS: Save the Humans, a captivating outdoor exhibit created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Running through mid-November, the exhibit features six giant troll sculptures nestled in the forest along the one-mile California Trail. The trolls are built entirely from reclaimed materials such as wooden pallets, old furniture, and wine barrels.

Dambo said, “I believe that we can make anything out of anything. We are drowning in trash. But we also know that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” The six young trolls at Filoli have an optimistic view of human nature. They believe they can teach people how to protect the environment. “They want to save the humans. They do this by teaching them how to be better humans that don’t destroy Basse Buller, the painting troll Ibbi Pipp, the birdhouse trollRonja Redeye, the speaker troll

,” said Dambo, 45, a poet and former Each troll in the exhibit has a unique personality and mission. Basse Buller, the painting troll, uses stones, leaves, and sticks to create nature-inspired art and encourages humans to explore creativity in the wild. Ibbi Pip, the birdhouse troll, is a champion of wildlife. Ibbi has installed over 100 colorful birdhouses to inspire humans to share their world with other creatures. Rosa Sunfinger is the botanical troll. Rosa revives discarded items with plant life, demonstrating how growth can emerge from the forgotten.

Kamma Can, the treasure troll, is a master upcycler. Kamma turns everyday waste into art, teaching us to rethink trash as potential. Sofus Lotus, the listening troll, reminds us to slow down and pay attention to the natural world around us. Ronja Redeye is the speaker troll, who leads the group and shares the trolls’ environmental messages.

When we visited on a Saturday, the trail was crowded, filled with the excited squeals of children racing to find the next troll in the forest. Visitors are encouraged to touch and climb on the trolls. About halfway through the exhibit, children loved exploring the Rosa Sunfinger, the botanical troll Kamma Can, the treasure troll sculptures in over 20 countries. His touring projects draw millions of visitors each year.

Most sculptures are built onsite with local volunteers, reinforcing sustainability as a Filoli is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $37 for adults, $27 for children ages 5 to 17, and free for children under age 5. It’s best to purchase tickets early enough in the day to allow time for viewing the trolls, gardens, and estate. Filoli is located at “I’m so happy my trolls get to spend some time amongst the giant redwoods at Filoli,”

Dambo says. “It is a magical place where I know my trolls will feel at home.” Sofus Lotus, the listening troll