Ivan
Inspired by the affection the Tacoma community felt for Ivan – the “Beloved Ivan” project commissioned a life-size bronze sculpture of Ivan at the entrance to Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington.
Completed 2016
Materials: Bronze and Patina
Sculpture: Douglas Granum
3D Printing: Form 3D
Casting & Patina: 2 Ravens Studio
Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma, WA
Public location, see map below
Project Team
Douglas Granum
Douglas Granum
This was not work; it was truly a labor of love. I was the artist, but this could not have been accomplished without the help of a number of organizations and individuals.
This was not work; it was truly a labor of love. I was the artist, but this could not have been accomplished without the help of a number of organizations and individuals.
David Wright
David Wright
David Wright is a multi talented urban designer,landscape architect and artist/illustrator of the built, everyday, and inner environments. David brings concepts, schematics, and plans to life.
2 Ravens Studio
2 Ravens Studio
As an art foundry, Two Ravens Studio produces sculptures for artists working in stone, wood and clay and a variety of other mediums. We create of art for public display and private residences, as well as custom architectural fixtures.
As an art foundry, Two Ravens Studio produces sculptures for artists working in stone, wood and clay and a variety of other mediums. We create of art for public display and private residences, as well as custom architectural fixtures.
Scott Norris
Scott Norris
With over 20 years of making interactive things, Scott brings unique technical and design skills to the team. He makes sure that the whole world can see our work.
Form 3D Foundry
Form 3D Foundry
Grounded in traditional artistic principals, the Form team is committed to exploring, embracing and utilizing technology to propel sculptural advancements.
Grounded in traditional artistic principals, the Form team is committed to exploring, embracing and utilizing technology to propel sculptural advancements.
Ivan was beloved local celebrity in Tacoma, Washington, spending most of his life with a loving, local family. He was the inspiration for the book and movie, The One and Only Ivan. He "retired" to the Atlanta Zoo where he lived until he was 50 years old in 2012.
Ivan spent most of his life indoors, happy but isolated from the natural world. When Ivan arrived at Zoo Atlanta he discovered a flower planted in his new home. He delicately touched and held this flower...then he ate it!
The "Beloved Ivan" bronze statue is now a permanent fixure at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. The patina on the surface is getting heavily worn by the hands and hugs that covers Ivan almost every day.
Beloved Ivan Statue
The Beloved Ivan statue can be found in the walkway to the entrance of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Articles
What Am I Reading in July?
This month I am re-reading The Year of the Gorilla by George B. Schaller. This book played a critical role in helping to shape my understanding of the gorilla in my research for creating the Beloved Ivan sculpture. This seminal work chronicles George B. Schaller's two...
Beloved Ivan’s Unveiling
The unveiling of the Beloved Ivan Sculpture before its installation at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.
Ivan at the 2 Ravens Foundry
The final sculpture was cast in bronze at the 2 Ravens Foundry in Tacoma. Here are a selection of photos from that process: [dmpro_masonry_gallery _builder_version="4.14.9" _module_preset="default"...
Friends of Ivan
Founded and ran by the Irwin's--Ivan's Tacoma Family--the I.V.A.N. Foundation is dedicated to inspire, provide vision, awareness, and nurture younger generations in the conservation of endangered species around the world.
Moving to Zoo Atlanta from his Tacoma home in 1995, Ivan lived there for 18 years until his passing in 2012. Zoo Atlanta is an internationally-renowned leader in the care and study of this critically endangered species, with a program that dates back more than 50 years.
Although Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium does not exhibit gorillas – and they have never been in the zoo’s animal family – the Irwins, Ivan's Tacoma Family, felt there was no better place in Tacoma to honor Ivan’s memory than at facility dedicated to conservation.
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