AT T R AC T I O N S
Stretch
Even though you expect to find nature at the zoo, you may not expect it quite like this. Nature Connects, an award-winning exhibit by acclaimed artist Sean Kenney, displayed around North America, has made its way to the Edmonton Valley Zoo this summer. The nature-inspired, larger-than-life sculptures are made entirely of LEGO bricks, with the beloved building toy highlighting the interconnectedness of nature itself. “By my estimation, there’s about 800,000 bricks here at the zoo, and it took him over 6500 hours,” shares Alex Hamilton, a program manager for the City of Edmonton. The collection features 13 sculptures displayed strategically throughout the grounds, so you’ll need to keep an eye out while touring the resident creatures. Alex’s personal favourite is the Whooping Crane display: “I like it because of its placement. I think it works really nicely with the natural environment.” While the artworks are neat and impressive, a large function is how it highlights global conservation efforts, which is a core value of the Edmonton zoo. Over the years, they’ve
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PHOTOS: TAMARA ASCHENBRENNER
YOUR LEGOS