GRAND RAPIDS – October 28, 2026 -- Twelve oversized troll sculptures built from reclaimed materials will take over Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park from May 14 through Oct. 31, 2027, in an outdoor exhibition called TROLLS: A Field Study.
Danish artist Thomas Dambo brings his first traveling exhibition to Michigan
The show is produced by Imagine in collaboration with Thomas Dambo, and it is his first traveling exhibition to visit Michigan. The trolls are made from fallen branches, wooden pallets, and twigs. Each has a distinct personality, including their fearless leader, Taks.
The story behind the installation is that the trolls have set out on a curious journey to study humans and their small, intricate, and inventive ways of life.
A companion book tells the story from the trolls' point of view
The exhibition comes with a book that follows the adventures from the trolls' perspective. It shares the whimsical lessons the 12 trolls learned about the "little humans" during their field trip.
Dambo has created work in more than 17 countries. Many of his pieces come with a folk tale he writes himself. His trolls usually live as permanent or semi-permanent installations in parks, greenspaces, and industrial parks.
The park pitches it as a family outing with a recycling message
Carol Kendra, Chief Operating Officer at the park, called the show a good fit for families, couples, and anyone with a sense of adventure. She said it should also inspire guests to recycle and reduce their environmental impact.
Imagine CEO Tom Zaller said the company is pleased to continue its journey in Grand Rapids.
TROLLS: A Field Study is the second exhibition Dambo has made with Imagine. The first, TROLLS: Save the Humans, has toured North America for its first year. The Grand Rapids show is presented by Macatawa Bank and powered by Wintrust.