The trolls have returned to the South Coast Botanic Garden.
Thomas Dambo’s “Trolls: A Field Study” recently opened at the 87-acre garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, featuring 12 outdoor sculptures, on average 8 to 10 feet in height, that are brought to life by reclaimed materials.
Claire Griswold, director of learning and engagement at SCBG, said the trolls are “here to collect data on the little humans” and to study humankind.
“One of the trolls, who’s the leader troll, his name is Taks, has gone through the garden and decorated the path so that it’s easy to follow with these sort of sparkly ribbon contractions that are hanging in the trees,” Griswold said. “So that’s how folks can get through the garden and know that they’re in an area with trolls.”
Dambo’s last exhibit, “Trolls: Save the Humans,” which came to SCBG in fall 2023, had six trolls, but those were larger — some as tall as 11 feet and as long as 26 feet.
The current “Trolls” exhibit runs though Oct. 4.
There is a synergy between Dambo’s creations, which have been seen around the world, with the SCBG, whose message is of conservation, Griswold said.
“We’re celebrating a space that was once reserved for refuse and things that were at the end of their life and are now literally growing things on top of it,” Griswold said. “So, from literal trash to treasure is our story, and it really lines up with the message that Thomas Dambo’s trying to send, and we just think that it fits in really nicely with all the things that we’re trying to do here at the garden.”
Thomas Dambo’s ‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of 12 trolls created with reclaimed materials, recently opened at the South Coast Botanic Garden. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of 12 trolls created with reclaimed materials, recently opened at the South Coast Botanic Garden. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of 12 trolls created with reclaimed materials, recently opened at the South Coast Botanic Garden. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
The South Coast Botanic Garden recently opened ‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of trolls created with reclaimed materials, that are spread around the garden’s 87 acres. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of 12 trolls created with reclaimed materials, recently opened at the South Coast Botanic Garden. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
Thomas Dambo’s ‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of 12 trolls created with reclaimed materials, recently opened at the South Coast Botanic Garden. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
The South Coast Botanic Garden recently opened ‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of trolls created with reclaimed materials, that are spread around the garden’s 87 acres. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
The South Coast Botanic Garden recently opened ‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of trolls created with reclaimed materials, that are spread around the garden’s 87 acres. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
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Thomas Dambo’s ‘Trolls: A Field Study,’ a collection of 12 trolls created with reclaimed materials, recently opened at the South Coast Botanic Garden. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
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Before it became SCBG, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., the site was a diatomite mine, followed by a sanitary landfill. It then became a land reclamation project started by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, through the encouragement of private citizens, in 1961, according to the SCBG’s website.
“Trolls: A Field Study,” meanwhile, is also interactive, Griswold said.
“So the hope is that folks will come right up to them,” Griswold said. “They’re approachable on all sides.”
Visitors can also visit the trolls at night, but only during The Canopy Club, an after-hours dance party that will be launched on Saturday, March 28.
The pop-up experience is “like a speakeasy,” said Danielle Lacharite Brown, SCBG’s chief impact officer and deputy director.
“When you come in, you’ll get a secret password,” Brown said, “and you’ll find your way through the garden to our secret location for this dance party, which, of course, will be under a canopy of trees.”
There will be dancing with a live DJ.
Eight of the dozen trolls will be lit up for the parties.
“It’s really the only time people will be able to see the trolls lighted at night,” Brown said.
The Canopy Club will also take place on April 25, May 22 and June 27.
“We think it’s a great way to watch how the garden changes over the course of spring,” Brown said, “and I hope people want to come to all four because each night will be super fun.”
The club has three ticket types: An early bird that has entry from 5 to 6 p.m., “Party Animal” from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. and “Anytime” from 4:55 to 9:45 p.m.
The club, which is open for all ages, has different prices for members and non-members.
“One of the things we learned over the years,” Brown said, “is that folks from 2 to 92 love to visit this garden and so when we create our programs, we try to take that into account.”
There will also be specialty cocktails, along with soft drinks, and “nibbles” that can be enjoyed at a lounge.
“Imagine it’s sort of like summer camp meets disco party in the wood,” Brown said.
Admission to see the trolls comes with regular daily admission to SCBG.
“It takes about 45 minutes to do the loop to see all of them,” Griswold said about checking out the trolls during a normal daily visit. “So we always want to encourage folks to wear a hat, bring a walking stick, make sure you have some water.”
Guided walking tours, “Troll Treks,” are available on Saturday and Sundays for an additional cost.
Field guides are also available for purchase. The guides explain the type of tree that the trolls are most closely associated with, since each Troll is named after a tree.
For more information and ticket prices, call 424-452-0920 or southcoastbotanicgarden.org.
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