I Hide Giants That I Make From Wood In The Wilderness Of The Belgian Forest
My name is Thomas Dambo. I build giant wooden trolls around the world and hide them in wilderness and forests. By doing this, I hope to lure people away from concrete cities and computer screens, into the wild and reconnect them with the natural world. I build all my mythical creatures of repurposed wood to show the potential in this precious material, which is often discarded and becomes a threat to the natural world.
More info: thomasdambo.com
Since I was a child, I always loved to hear about different fairytale characters and folklore stories, and dream myself away into magical worlds filled with dragons and real giants. As a teenager, I started writing my own stories as a rapper, putting out records, touring and creating a universe, where I could tell these stories. In my latest project, I combined all of the above. Recycling, Rapping, Nature, and Sculptures.
The wood art project is called “The 7 Trolls and The Magical Tower.” It’s a fairytale, told through sculptures and words, hidden in a forest, all made of recycled materials. I know it sounds a bit confusing, but watch the video and it will all make sense.
Here are a couple of facts about my unique art:
- The height of the 7 trolls ranges from 7 to 18 meters (23 to 59 feet). The tower is 17 meters (56 feet).
- It took me and my crew of 15 people around 25 weeks to build.
- The wood is mainly old shelves from a supermarket, pallets, and branches from fallen trees.
- It is located in a Belgian forest.
Check out the video below to learn more about my project
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Sometime in the future, somebody is going to "discover" these and historians will argue for years about their purpose.
These look like wooden figures not stone. So I would think, they will have to be cared for and maintained well into the future. Or they'll start to deteriorate with time.
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I am one of those lucky people who live in Boom, Belgium, visited all 7 trolls and I loooove em. Especially Hannes, he is my favourite.
What an appropriate name for the town to host these trolls. Boom. (Residents are known as "Boomenaars" and they are only some 16.000 of them, give and take a few giant trolls) It must be great being a child living there!
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Wow, I am blown away. This is amazing. I would be absolutely delighted to come across this in a forest. Bravo!
So great! Where are they in Belgium? I would be more than happy to put on my hiking shoes and go on an adventure to see them in the wood flesh this weekend :) Are they meant to stay or is it a temporary event? Thanks in advance to anyone with an answer to those questions!
According to this news article, they're located in domain De Schorre in the city of Boom: https://www.hln.be/in-de-buurt/boom/gigantische-trollen-duiken-op-in-de-schorre-kunstwerk-is-geschenk-van-tomorrowland-ter-ere-van-15de-verjaardag~a7a673cb/
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Fantastic work! This is not the only post by this sculptor. Click on his name and you will find the rest. Skill, imagination, love, humour and the ability to tell fairytales in very large writ, what is not to like?
I saw your trolls at Morton Arboretum is Lisle, Illinois and loved them! So detailed and lively. Following the map to their sites in their woods was great fun.
We currently have on loan a set of Mr. Dambo's Forest Giants very near my home. They are magical! We feel so grateful to have them visiting for us to enjoy. I included the link for the location near myself in the United States. ' https://bernheim.org/forestgiants/. '
Amazing, wonderful, fantastic! I lived in Colorado until a few weeks ago, and had planned to visit Breckenridge where one of these statues was, until some people complained about too many visiting it near their homes and the statue was removed! It is being re-sited, but not in time for me to visit, sadly......
how many trees sacrificed their lives for you dream to come true. can you make a giant tree in gratitude to the trees?
Wow these strolls are Epic! I went on a really fun adventure when I was in Denmark- saw all 6 of them! Below are the links for those videos if you wanna check them out- Part 1- https://youtu.be/wskoC6z47AA Part 2- https://youtu.be/uQHh8JWAU3A Thanks -Travel Man Dan
The ones hidden away in trees makes me think of the book, Where the Wild Things Are, one of my favorite books growing up.
I owned a pacer, my first car as a teenager, purchased from my Dad. You know, the Pacer (like in Wayne's World Bohemian Rhapsody: https://youtu.be/thyJOnasHVE?t=41). Had an 8-track tape player, which was very out of date at the time (like cassettes or even CDs now). And my Dad thought the thing it needed most was fake sheep-skin seat covers. So, he bought some for the car. The fibers got in everything (mouth, eyes, cigarettes, other burning things, food, drinks, stuck in clothes, etc.) The shedding was so bad my Mom complained about the dryer filter. I STILL remember the taste and emall of the fibers in my mouth and burning in the air. I didn't have the heart to get rid of the covers. He was so sweet to buy them. They WERE soft and warm!
I bought an old Toyota for $63 around 1989. It was originally white with the fake wood panel. It was rusting badly. Went to parents for a visit. Couple hours in, my Dad comes and proudly announces he had painted my car so the rust wouldn't be noticeable. Turns out, he had painted over all the white parts with the shinny silver paint you use on pipes. With a coarse-haired brush. Bright silver car, with brushstrokes, with cracked woody panels. Ugliest thing I'd ever seen. I thanked him and hugged him. That he would do that meant the world to me, no matter how ugly. But I did later learn to paint a car by myself because it was a bit embarrassing (and definitely more noticeable than before). I painted it rust-colored :-) And he gave me some tips and was never offended by my paint-over. Gotta love a Dad with Asperger's. Biggest heart you'll ever encounter!
My sister driving my Dad's old van, with her 6 children under the age of 13, her foreign exchange student who had just arrived two days before, and some sort of assistant from her church. Van starts on fire. At least four of her kids were in car seats or booster seats. (She had the three youngest in diapers all at one time due to adoption and a lovely surprise). She got every one out safely. That van burned hot until every last burnable thing was gone. Just a metal shell. It was such a crazy fire, the firemen took pictures during and after, I'm not joking. They'd never seen a care fire like that. As my sister was getting everyone out, people watching couldn't believe all the people getting out of that van. (In the end, everyone was fine!)
1982. 16th birthday. Got my driver's license. Went to Sadie Hawkins dance, which was first dance with a date. Got hit while pulled over trying to figure out directions on the side of the road. Drunk guy had backed out of his driveway right into me. Said, "Ah, it looks fine, and drove off." Dad was not happy.
I love the trolls you've made in Denmark. They can be found in the suburbs af Copenhagen.
Amazing ,just brilliant work congrates to you and all who helped . :)
The young men who took presents to the new parents ids so sweet. I had tears when I read it. You are truly great men. ♥️♥️♥️
There's a bunch of trolls that must be from the same artist at an arboretum outside of Chicago. They're amazing!!
I would like to Thank him so very much. What he has chosen to do with his life is beyond beautiful & straight from his heart I believe. WOW!! You are an amazing human being & we are all better off because you have affected our lives. God bless you, sir. 🥰
I would have loved to see them, apparently they are already gone :( They were nearby where Tomorrowland is in Belgium. https://www.deschorre.be/nieuws.masterdetail.html/p_detail_url/nl/dvt/de-schorre/nieuws/ontdek-de-trollen-in-de-schorre.html
They will be there for a couple of years. Tomorrowland commissioned them as a gift to the city of Boom =)
Load More Replies... Purely dreamlike and magical. I loved each one, and then reading the poem at the end. Sigh. Perhaps the poem should be the introduction. I don't think I'll ever see these in person, so will try to save to gaze upon now and then.
I wish I could've seen how he built these figures. Nevertheless, this is one of the better stories I've read here. It's a story I'm sure we can all agree upon as good. A story with a non-toxic, positive outcome without controversy. It's a very child / young-person friendly art as well!
This is why I loooooove to live in a Belgium! One day walking in a Schorre park and got to see 3 giant trolls 😍😍😍😍 Thank you!
It seemed like you upped the ante, mr. Damsbo:) I live near one of your original wood giants in Denmark, and it's amazing work to study. These giants in Belgium takes it just a tad further, and I for sure will take a trip there some day. Great "trash" work!
Why would you use the phrase 'Great "trash" work!' ?? I don't understand.
Load More Replies...
Perhaps the most loved creature that Thomas has created is Hector The Protector in Puerto Rico.
The vid is brilliant. Showing people rushing to buy more stuff when free beauty surrounds us. Thank you for sharing!!
I love this! So clever and thought provoking. Wished it was here in the U.S. so I could visit the trolls!
actually i have several in the US see the map here thomasdambo.com/thegreatstory
Load More Replies...
Sometime in the future, somebody is going to "discover" these and historians will argue for years about their purpose.
These look like wooden figures not stone. So I would think, they will have to be cared for and maintained well into the future. Or they'll start to deteriorate with time.
Load More Replies... I am one of those lucky people who live in Boom, Belgium, visited all 7 trolls and I loooove em. Especially Hannes, he is my favourite.
What an appropriate name for the town to host these trolls. Boom. (Residents are known as "Boomenaars" and they are only some 16.000 of them, give and take a few giant trolls) It must be great being a child living there!
Load More Replies... Wow, I am blown away. This is amazing. I would be absolutely delighted to come across this in a forest. Bravo!
So great! Where are they in Belgium? I would be more than happy to put on my hiking shoes and go on an adventure to see them in the wood flesh this weekend :) Are they meant to stay or is it a temporary event? Thanks in advance to anyone with an answer to those questions!
According to this news article, they're located in domain De Schorre in the city of Boom: https://www.hln.be/in-de-buurt/boom/gigantische-trollen-duiken-op-in-de-schorre-kunstwerk-is-geschenk-van-tomorrowland-ter-ere-van-15de-verjaardag~a7a673cb/
Load More Replies... Fantastic work! This is not the only post by this sculptor. Click on his name and you will find the rest. Skill, imagination, love, humour and the ability to tell fairytales in very large writ, what is not to like?
I saw your trolls at Morton Arboretum is Lisle, Illinois and loved them! So detailed and lively. Following the map to their sites in their woods was great fun.
We currently have on loan a set of Mr. Dambo's Forest Giants very near my home. They are magical! We feel so grateful to have them visiting for us to enjoy. I included the link for the location near myself in the United States. ' https://bernheim.org/forestgiants/. '
Amazing, wonderful, fantastic! I lived in Colorado until a few weeks ago, and had planned to visit Breckenridge where one of these statues was, until some people complained about too many visiting it near their homes and the statue was removed! It is being re-sited, but not in time for me to visit, sadly......
how many trees sacrificed their lives for you dream to come true. can you make a giant tree in gratitude to the trees?
Wow these strolls are Epic! I went on a really fun adventure when I was in Denmark- saw all 6 of them! Below are the links for those videos if you wanna check them out- Part 1- https://youtu.be/wskoC6z47AA Part 2- https://youtu.be/uQHh8JWAU3A Thanks -Travel Man Dan
The ones hidden away in trees makes me think of the book, Where the Wild Things Are, one of my favorite books growing up.
I owned a pacer, my first car as a teenager, purchased from my Dad. You know, the Pacer (like in Wayne's World Bohemian Rhapsody: https://youtu.be/thyJOnasHVE?t=41). Had an 8-track tape player, which was very out of date at the time (like cassettes or even CDs now). And my Dad thought the thing it needed most was fake sheep-skin seat covers. So, he bought some for the car. The fibers got in everything (mouth, eyes, cigarettes, other burning things, food, drinks, stuck in clothes, etc.) The shedding was so bad my Mom complained about the dryer filter. I STILL remember the taste and emall of the fibers in my mouth and burning in the air. I didn't have the heart to get rid of the covers. He was so sweet to buy them. They WERE soft and warm!
I bought an old Toyota for $63 around 1989. It was originally white with the fake wood panel. It was rusting badly. Went to parents for a visit. Couple hours in, my Dad comes and proudly announces he had painted my car so the rust wouldn't be noticeable. Turns out, he had painted over all the white parts with the shinny silver paint you use on pipes. With a coarse-haired brush. Bright silver car, with brushstrokes, with cracked woody panels. Ugliest thing I'd ever seen. I thanked him and hugged him. That he would do that meant the world to me, no matter how ugly. But I did later learn to paint a car by myself because it was a bit embarrassing (and definitely more noticeable than before). I painted it rust-colored :-) And he gave me some tips and was never offended by my paint-over. Gotta love a Dad with Asperger's. Biggest heart you'll ever encounter!
My sister driving my Dad's old van, with her 6 children under the age of 13, her foreign exchange student who had just arrived two days before, and some sort of assistant from her church. Van starts on fire. At least four of her kids were in car seats or booster seats. (She had the three youngest in diapers all at one time due to adoption and a lovely surprise). She got every one out safely. That van burned hot until every last burnable thing was gone. Just a metal shell. It was such a crazy fire, the firemen took pictures during and after, I'm not joking. They'd never seen a care fire like that. As my sister was getting everyone out, people watching couldn't believe all the people getting out of that van. (In the end, everyone was fine!)
1982. 16th birthday. Got my driver's license. Went to Sadie Hawkins dance, which was first dance with a date. Got hit while pulled over trying to figure out directions on the side of the road. Drunk guy had backed out of his driveway right into me. Said, "Ah, it looks fine, and drove off." Dad was not happy.
I love the trolls you've made in Denmark. They can be found in the suburbs af Copenhagen.
Amazing ,just brilliant work congrates to you and all who helped . :)
The young men who took presents to the new parents ids so sweet. I had tears when I read it. You are truly great men. ♥️♥️♥️
There's a bunch of trolls that must be from the same artist at an arboretum outside of Chicago. They're amazing!!
I would like to Thank him so very much. What he has chosen to do with his life is beyond beautiful & straight from his heart I believe. WOW!! You are an amazing human being & we are all better off because you have affected our lives. God bless you, sir. 🥰
I would have loved to see them, apparently they are already gone :( They were nearby where Tomorrowland is in Belgium. https://www.deschorre.be/nieuws.masterdetail.html/p_detail_url/nl/dvt/de-schorre/nieuws/ontdek-de-trollen-in-de-schorre.html
They will be there for a couple of years. Tomorrowland commissioned them as a gift to the city of Boom =)
Load More Replies... Purely dreamlike and magical. I loved each one, and then reading the poem at the end. Sigh. Perhaps the poem should be the introduction. I don't think I'll ever see these in person, so will try to save to gaze upon now and then.
I wish I could've seen how he built these figures. Nevertheless, this is one of the better stories I've read here. It's a story I'm sure we can all agree upon as good. A story with a non-toxic, positive outcome without controversy. It's a very child / young-person friendly art as well!
This is why I loooooove to live in a Belgium! One day walking in a Schorre park and got to see 3 giant trolls 😍😍😍😍 Thank you!
It seemed like you upped the ante, mr. Damsbo:) I live near one of your original wood giants in Denmark, and it's amazing work to study. These giants in Belgium takes it just a tad further, and I for sure will take a trip there some day. Great "trash" work!
Why would you use the phrase 'Great "trash" work!' ?? I don't understand.
Load More Replies... Perhaps the most loved creature that Thomas has created is Hector The Protector in Puerto Rico.
The vid is brilliant. Showing people rushing to buy more stuff when free beauty surrounds us. Thank you for sharing!!
I love this! So clever and thought provoking. Wished it was here in the U.S. so I could visit the trolls!
actually i have several in the US see the map here thomasdambo.com/thegreatstory
Load More Replies... 
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