A convoy of life-sized puppet animals has made its way to London as part of a global tour intended to raise awareness about climate change.
According to The Walk Productions, which orchestrates this monumental public art project, The Herds is meant to represent the animals’ escape from environmental calamity.
Crafted in collaboration with students from Wimbledon College of Arts, the puppets will begin their journey near London Bridge on Friday morning before making their way to Soho, Somerset House, Coram’s Fields, Camden High Street, and Stratford.
The tour originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo on April 9 and has since moved north, traversing various locations across Africa and Western Europe.
The collective is partnering with local musicians, artists, dancers, and climate advocates along the route.
As the procession continues, the number and variety of the animals will increase, with additional puppets being created by local groups.
These puppets are constructed from upcycled and recyclable materials, predominantly cardboard and plywood, emphasizing the use of biodegradable and organic elements.
The Herds stampede will include performances, theatrical readings, and music, with a special event planned on Camden High Street to engage passersby.
Following their time in London, the herd will head north to Greater Manchester and then journey through Scandinavia towards the Arctic Circle.
The team behind this art initiative previously introduced Little Amal to London, a 12-foot (3.7 meter) puppet representing a 10-year-old Syrian refugee.
Artistic director Amir Nizar Zuabi remarked, “The Herds is an urgent artistic response to the climate crisis—a living, breathing call to action that traverses continents. Through the majesty and intensity of these life-size creatures, we seek to ignite conversation, provoke reflection, promote involvement, and inspire tangible change.”