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Art Jun 18, 2024
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The arrival of Elephant Parade Burbank 2024, the world’s largest touring public elephant art exposition, is set for July 1, the city’s tourism association announced.
This citywide exhibition, a first for the Los Angeles area, will run through Aug. 31 and include 25 hand painted and decorated elephant statues at high-traffic Burbank landmarks, public spaces, local businesses and hotels, according to the event’s website. The art exhibit is funded and initiated by Visit Burbank, the city’s tourism association.
To kick off the exhibition, the community can participate in the following ways:
- “Elephant Parade: Burbank Grand Arrival at Ikea: Visitors can stroll through and view all 25 hand-painted elephant statues before they make their way to their final destinations throughout Burbank during this special preview at IKEA, 600 IKEA Way, Burbank, in the Upper Parking Lot H. The Grand Arrival event will take place, on June 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon, and available for the public to view all the elephant statues through June 28 at 4 p.m. This free event will feature guest speakers, photo ops, and a live DJ.
- “Elephant Parade 2024 Map: In the coming weeks, a map locating all the displayed elephant statues throughout the City will be available on the city of Burbank and Visit Burbank website and social media platforms. The elephants will be on display from July 1. 2024 through Aug. 31, 2024, the exhibition is free and open to the public at all 25 locations.”
Each elephant has been conceptualized by celebrities and artists devoted to elephant conservation and celebrating the beauty of these animals through vivid color, design, passion, and humor. No two of the 25 elephants are alike and each one merits a viewing at its carefully chosen Burbank venue.
“We look forward to welcoming this incredible art exhibition to Burbank and introducing it to our city for the first time,” City of Burbank Mayor Nick Schultz said in a statement. “Elephant Parade has become a worldwide art phenomenon, and we are thrilled that Visit Burbank has brought these masterpieces to our city, offering the perfect activity for a family day out, and raising awareness for important cause of elephant conservation.”
Since the first Elephant Parade exhibition in 2007, millions have been raised for Asian elephant conservation, according to the organization.
Event organizers highlighted these notable celebrity and artist-designed statues in Elephant Parade Burbank 2024:
- Khloé Kardashian “Jasmine”
“My elephant, Jasmine, is a golden, elegant princess, beautiful beyond explanation,” Kardashian said in a statement. “The elephant is the symbol of wealth and wisdom. Whatever may appear on the surface, the essence is in the soul. The point of life is to enjoy it to the fullest and leave only good behind.” - Katy Perry “Trunks”
“Inspired by the musical ingenuity of Katy Perry, the bright colors and designs of ‘Trunks’ pays tribute to Perry’s iconic musical career and gives reference to her millions of followers, ‘KatyCats.'” - Cesar Millan “Cesar’s Pack”
“The inspiration for the art on my elephant was to mirror that of a dog’s personality: joyful, happy, bold (at times) and simple,” Millan said in a statement. “My first encounter with an elephant was as a young boy at the circus. The colors represent my idea of the embellishments that dressed the elephant and excitement and joy that I never forgot and connected me to them.” - Lily Tomlin “Is Anybody Listening”
“Lily Tomlin, a leader in elephant welfare and activism, collaborated with artist Erin Boyle, known for her love of iconic Hollywood icons, to evoke the classic ‘Laugh-In’ character Ernestine the Telephone Operator for her elephant design.” - Loree Rodkin “Brittany”
“Created by iconic Los Angeles-based jewelry designer, ‘Brittany’ reflects the beauty of the Asian elephant as well as its protective ‘armor,’ safeguarding its family and endangered home.” - Oliver Benjamin “Mellowphant”
This piece is Inspired by the character Jeff Bridges played in the Coen Brothers’ film “The Big Lebowski,” according to exhibit organizers. “‘The Dude’ provides an example for us all to emulate and admire.” - Max Fleischer “Betty Boop”
“First introduced in 1930 by Max Fleischer, ‘Betty Boop’ has captured the heart of this elephant with her wide-eyed and alluring personality.”
More information on Elephant Parade Burbank 2024 and other upcoming events is at www.visitburbank.com.
