City Council recently approved a proposal to place up to eight life-size Funny Zoo sculptures in Malibu Bluffs and Legacy parks as an effort to raise awareness about wildlife conservation.
The art exhibit and cultural initiative was started by Malibu-based company French Pacific Events to promote awareness of the environment, biodiversity and conservation of endangered species. Funny Zoo was first exhibited in Marseille, France, in 2013, and has since spread to multiple European cities.
Each sculpture in the exhibit starts out as a black or white canvas, and local artists can create their vision for the finished product. Each animal is funded by a sponsor, who may choose to auction it at the end of the exhibit with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the California Wildlife Center.Â
Funny Zoo is also working with Malibu Country Mart and the Malibu Chamber of Commerce to place the animals on privately owned properties.
The animals will be in place at Malibu Bluffs Park through September 2 and Legacy Park through mid-December. Each statue will include an interactive educational sign.