​A Colourful Summer Parade: Elephant Parade® Taiwan 2016 Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Exhibition

From July 5th until September 30th 2016, a magnificent array of colours will explore Taiwan, in the shape of Elephant Parade®’s herd of 42 individually decorated life size baby elephant statues. Hosted by Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store these playful characters, forming the world’s largest open air exhibition, will bring joy to the public and raise awareness to the plight of Asian elephants.

The parade debuts in Taiwan for the first time this summer. Since 2007 Elephant Parade events have been held in The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Italy, and numerous other places around the world. In Taiwan, the elephants have had quite the tour, visiting 15 scenic spots and historical sites.

Steven Wu, President of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi had this to say about the parade: “Shin Kong Mitsukoshi are excited to welcome Elephant Parade to Taiwan. We know that the public in Taiwan will be as moved as Shin Kong Mitsukoshi is to generate interest and support to elephant conservation. It’s been a delight to see the elephants on the backdrop of our country’s famous landmarks.”

Elephant Parade is a fusion of playful artistic brilliance combined with, and founded on, a deep social mission. The global Elephant Parade movement was inspired in 2006 by a baby elephant called Mosha. First father, Marc Spits, and then son, Mike Spits, the founding partners met Mosha in an elephant hospital in Lampang, Thailand. Mosha at just 7 months old had lost her leg to a landmine. Mosha was fitted with the first prosthetic for an elephant, and receives continued structural support from Elephant Parade, and has since remained a happy healthy elephant. Mosha’s story of adversity is the core message of Elephant Parade, and she features in every exposition as a symbol of the organisation’s core values to protect and care for elephants.

The duty to raise awareness to the fact that Asian elephants have suffered a 95% habitat loss and 70% population decline drives the organisation’s necessary work: “Elephant Parade uses art as a tool to generate positive change”, says Mike Spits, Founder. “The elephant will become extinct in 30 years if we do not do something right now. At Elephant Parade, we collaborate with the best designers, artists, celebrities and social entrepreneurs, such as Sir Richard Branson (twice), Katie Perry, Tommy Hilfiger, Ferrari, Khloe Kardashian, Paul Smith, Ricky Gervais, and Elizabeth Hurley, to create stunning elephants that generate worldwide attention, raise funds and make a difference.”

The 1.5 metre elephants are on show from 5th July until 30th September 2016 at Taipei Xinyi Place, Taichung Zhonggang, Tainan Place, Kaohsiung Zuoying branches. Within the congregation are three favourite Elephant Parade deigns: “Elephantasm” by Ronald Ventura, “Nello T. (figlio di Mara)” by Ferrari Design and “Serina” by Cindy Bishop. These will be complemented by a gathering of entirely new works of art, all making their debut in Taiwan. Many of which will be available to purchase at the onsite pop-up shop or online at asia.elephantparade.com.