On National Endangered Species Day 2023, Singapore opened the longest sculpture in the world – Love The Last March at Gardens by the Bay. The stunning, true to life bronze sculptures are made up of 45 of the world’s most endangered species, led by a great mountain gorilla, marching together in the hope of raising awareness of the massive rate of wildlife extinction happening right at this moment all around the world.

Depicting the greatest animal march on Planet Earth, the sculptures aim to bring awareness to the massive rate of wildlife extinction. Created by internationally renowned artists, Gillie and Marc, Love The Last March is their biggest sculpture yet, at a whopping 192 metres in length, this sculpture exhibition is massive. In comparison, the next largest sculpture, the Statue of Unity in India, is 182 metres. The Statue of Liberty is 46 metres. Well known for their monumental public sculptures of wildlife such as The Last Three for the Northern white rhino and King Nyani for gorillas, they have been bringing awareness to wildlife through their art for decades.

These breathtaking sculptures are the result of years of dedicated wildlife study, utilizing photographs and sketches as references. From the majestic mountain gorilla and graceful giraffe to the adorable giant panda and the rare Northern hairy-nosed wombat, each sculpture captures the essence of these remarkable animals with astonishing detail. Witness their vibrant representations that truly bring these creatures to life.

When asked to explain their inspiration for this project the duo replied:

“Usually when we create a public sculpture for wildlife, we focus on one animal per project. But the rate of extinction is picking up at a terrifying rate. We wanted to show the scale of this issue, bringing awareness of the overarching problem as well as highlighting individual species.” – Gillie and Marc, Artists

Why The Natural World Needs Your Support

In our current era, we find ourselves amidst the alarming sixth mass extinction of wildlife. According to the 2022 Living Planet Report by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), the world has witnessed a staggering average decline of 69% in its wildlife populations over a span of just five decades. Latin America has suffered the most significant regional decline, with an average drop of 94% in population abundance. Likewise, Africa has experienced a 66% decrease in its wildlife populations, while the Asia Pacific region has encountered an overall loss of 55%. These statistics paint a sobering picture of the state of our planet’s biodiversity.

Adding to the concern, a 2021 study published in the journal Frontiers in Forests and Global Change revealed that less than 3% of the world’s ecosystems remain intact, with minimal habitat destruction and loss of native species. This finding highlights the urgent need to address and mitigate the destruction of habitats and the loss of valuable species.

It is crucial that we understand the magnitude of these challenges and work collectively to protect and preserve the Earth’s rich biodiversity for future generations.

“Extinction can often be a silent event, particularly for those of us living in urban environments, far removed from wildlife. We knew that we had to do something really big to show how important this was. This issue deserves the largest sculpture in the world” – Gillie.

Love The Last March Is Not Your Average Sculpture Exhibition

The installation has been thoughtfully crafted to offer an interactive experience. As visitors walk past each animal sculpture, they will have the opportunity to engage further by scanning QR codes. By scanning a QR code, visitors can witness a captivating augmented reality (AR) experience where the sculptures of animals come to life, marching right in front of their eyes. This captivating feature provides a unique opportunity for everyone to witness the majestic movement of these animals in a virtual realm.

Moreover, this interactive AR experience is intricately connected to an educational website. By accessing the website through the AR activation, visitors can delve deeper into the significance of conserving these animals and learn more about their conservation efforts. This integration of technology and education aims to raise awareness and inspire individuals to actively participate in the preservation of these remarkable creatures.

Prepare to be amazed as the sculptures of Love The Last March transcend the boundaries of art and technology, providing an immersive and enlightening encounter that fosters a greater understanding of the importance of animal conservation.

“We believe that nobody will care about something they have never experienced. So our public sculptures are designed to give them an unforgettable experience with wildlife. By creating a hyper-realistic sculpture they can touch and study up close, combined with all the facts about the animal, we create a connection they may never have made. And with that intimate personal connection buds the beginnings of a conservationist” – Marc

Another highlight of this exhibition is its chosen location. Despite being the third most densely populated place in the world, Singapore is also a metropolis of nature and has found a way to create harmony between the urban and the natural. As such, Gille and Marc are very excited for this collaboration with Gardens by the Bay, a beautiful 101-hectare garden in the country’s city centre that blends horticulture, sustainability and architectural design.

“Surrounded by more than 1,500,000 plants, this explosion of nature and diversity in the heart of a thriving urban city shows what can be possible if the planet is a priority and shows that it is possible to live with rather than against nature.” – Gillie and Marc

In partnership with WWF-Singapore (World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore), the public is also given the opportunity to impact the lives of these animals as they view the sculpture. With links to a donation page, they can make a tangible difference by supporting one of the most respected and impactful wildlife charities in the world.

“Love The Last March will be the most important sculpture we ever created so we had to make sure it was unforgettable. We hope that with the addition of augmented reality, people will become even more inspired to march alongside the animals, joining the movement to protect the world’s precious creatures” – Gillie

Love The Last March will open on 19th May 2023 as a celebration of National Endangered Species Day 2023. It will be exhibited in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay until 18th May 2024, so please make sure that you do not miss this wonderful opportunity to witness the world’s largest sculpture!

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