Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King
"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here?Over the course of 2023, five large wooden trolls landed in the greater Seattle area (plus a sixth in Portland), all designed by Danish artist Thomas Dambo from recycled materials, and each with its own backstory. Part outdoor art and part play structure, they are designed for exploration and to encourage curiosity. Fun! Any standout features or must-sees?All the trolls are fascinating, though the Ballard one, Frankie Feetsplinters, lives in front of the National Nordic Museum, making it easily accessible for visitors to the city. Got it. Was it easy to get around?Many of the the trolls live in suburbs that require a ferry, a car, or both to access. Frankie Feetsplinters in Ballard and Bruun Idun, who sings to orcas near Colman Pool in West Seattle, are easiest to find and visit. That sounds cool. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?While visiting a troll can be quite quick, they are designed to encourage curiosity and thoughtfulness, so even if time at the troll is limited, visitors will get more out of the visit if they learn a bit about the project ahead of time." - Naomi Tomky
