Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens delved deep into the forest, folklore and fairy tales for its new “Summer Flower Show: The Hidden Life of Trolls,” running through September.
Guests are welcomed to the immersive, interactive exhibit by animatronic troll mascots named Fen and Ivy, who give tips on how to handle their kin — some friendly and some mischievous — who await throughout the show.
It’s a new adventure for guests and Phipps staffers alike, according to communications manager Jenna Bodnar.
“We’ve never done a troll show before, and it’s the first time we’ve had animatronics,” she said.
The theme was suggested by Phipps President and CEO Richard Piacentini, who was inspired by watching a movie about trolls with his children. Staff members turned to Scandinavian folklore, children’s books and popular culture to create a show revealing the mysterious lives of the mythical creatures.
All trolls in the show were imagined and created by Phipps staff and local manufacturers, using plant materials from Phipps gardens.
In Palm Court, visitors will encounter a 6-foot, six-eyed topiary troll made of grasses and dried plant materials, who holds a flickering lantern as he emerges from his hut.
The Victoria Room contains an island planted with buttonwood trees, willow trees, flowers and grassy plants floating atop a pond. A troll’s head pokes out of the water, waiting for visitors to wave a hand over a touchless interactive feature that prompts him to growl, spurt water into the air and sneeze.
This scene illustrates a Scandinavian legend about trolls turned into rocks, Bodnar said.
The South Conservatory tableau is a take on the Scandinavian concept of forest bathing — immersing oneself in the sights, sounds and and scents of the woods. Here, muddy footprints lead to the bank of the pond, where a 12-foot troll sits, scrubbing his back with a tree branch.
Guests encounter another animatronic troll under a rustic, ivy-covered stone bridge in the Serpentine Room. Crouching by a fire, the troll demands answers to riddles before allowing them to pass. Troll treasures are scattered throughout the room.
A sunken garden becomes home to a “huldra,” which Bodnar described as “a Scandinavian forest creature said to lure people into the woods with her melodic voice.”
“She looks human, but she has a tail,” Bodnar said.
“The Hidden Life of Trolls” was designed by Jordyn Melino, associate director of exhibits. Working with Phipps staff to create the animatronics creatures were illustrator Piper Thibodeau, Visionary Effects in Point Breeze and Tolin FX in Beechview.
The facility at 1 Schenley Park in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section is open from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays. Timed tickets must be reserved in advance and all guests must follow safety protocols.
Details: 412-622-6914 or phipps.conservatory.org
