OK so they’re not really follies. But there is something very endearing about those giant artificial creatures which turn up from time to time to enhance our public spaces. And they are after all, quite useless. Here are a few I have come across, to make you smile.
Giant Creatures
This big fish was on Donegal Quay, Belfast North Ireland.
The largest mascot in Canada is Drumheller’s T-Rex. Four times the size of a real Tyrannosaurus Rex, it weighs 145,000 pounds, stands 86 feet tall and is 151 feet long.
Iggy the giant iguana has had an interesting life. In the 1980s he lived on the roof of the Lone Star cafe in New York. Here the 40 foot monster, newly spruced up, is being lowered into his new home on the roof of the reptile house at Forth Worth Zoo, Texas in 2010.
This 7.5 metre high mosaic sculpture, marks the entrance to the town of Erith in South East London, England.
The design was inspired by the old town coat of arms which was adopted from the family arms of the powerful Richard de Luci, supporter of King Stephen, and owner of Erith during the reign of Stephen and Henry II.
It has disconcerted some motorists who stop to gawp and has been run over at least once.
Finally this giant puppy sculpted from flowers was located in Bilbao.
It was designed by Jeff Koons, the celebrated pop artist.
The Folly Fancier 