An art installation of 888 papier-mâché pandas by French artist Paulo Grangeon is making its first North American appearance at Metropolis at Metrotown.
After being showcased around the world in over 100 exhibits, 1600 Pandas+ will be in Burnaby from July 10 until Aug. 8.
The exhibit 1600 Pandas+ World Tour in Canada will raise awareness of wildlife conservation, pandas and sustainability. All proceeds from this exhibit will be donated to WWF Canada to fund wildlife conservation research and education.
Prior to the exhibit opening, organizers will kick things off with a number of panda flash mobs during the week of July 2 for locals and tourists. Follow www.facebook.com/1600pandaspluscaand Metropolis at Metrotown’s social media accounts to find out where the pandas will pop up.
On July 10 at 10 a.m. in the grand court at Metropolis at Metrotown, Grangeon will on hand for the official opening.
The exhibition will feature various activities, including a selfie station, contests that offer a chance to win a trip for four to see the pandas at the Calgary Zoo, and panda adoption. Visitors who would like to adopt a papier-mâché panda can pre-register at the exhibit by donating to WWF Canada and will be able to pick up their panda after the exhibit concludes. Panda adoption is only available in person at the exhibit. Visitors can share their experience through posts, photos, and videos using the hashtag #1600Pandas+CA for a chance to win a weekly panda prize pack which includes panda swag and a $50 Metropolis gift card.
The installation was first launched in 2008 by the WWF and Grangeon, who handcrafted 1,600 papier-mâché pandas— the number of living pandas left in the wild at that time — with recycled materials. The updated exhibit title "1600 Pandas+" refers not only to the 17-per-cent increase in the population of wild giant pandas to over 1,800 in the past decade, but also to increased public awareness of panda conservation, as an always symbolic reminder of wildlife sustainability.
