Bunnyhenge is a public sculpture in Newport Beach, California, United States, depicting fourteen large white rabbits (of the desert cottontail species) sitting on their haunches in a circle. Two larger, 8 ft (2.4 m) rabbits outside the circle are also a part of the sculpture. Made of concrete and placed in the city's civic center, the sculpture garnered controversy when first built due to its improper allocation of city finances, costing $221,000. They were initially made for children to play with.[1][2][3][4]
| Bunnyhenge | |
|---|---|
 The sculpture in 2014 | |
| Artist | PWP Landscape Architecture |
| Year | 2013 |
| Medium | Concrete |
| Subject | Desert cottontails |
| Location | Newport Beach, California |
| 33°36′40″N 117°52′16″W / 33.6112°N 117.8711°W | |
| Owner | City of Newport Beach |
History
editNewport Beach's City Council moved to a more luxurious building in 2013, as it had outgrown its previous headquarters near the harbor. The rabbits were custom-manufactured and were wrapped in their packing material for a few months at their current location before being unveiled. The designer of the sculpture, PWP Landscape Architecture, had thought about using quails, lizards, sea turtles, or willow trees for the centerpiece before, but landed on the desert cottontail in the end.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Foxhall, Emily (December 28, 2014). "Fiscal reform advocates take aim at Newport Beach's concrete bunnies". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ Barragan, Bianca (December 29, 2014). "Cute Giant Bunny Statues Are Tearing Apart Newport Beach". Curbed. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ "Bunny statues stir up concerns over city spending". ABC7 Los Angeles. December 31, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ Whiteaker, Michele (April 1, 2019). "Newport Beach Civic Center Park with White Bunnies and Sculptures". Fun Orange County Parks. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.