I recently got the opportunity to watch the 2013 documentary about the Fremont Troll, “The Hall of Giants,” by filmmaker Michael Falcone (Anarcy Films). Through interviews, photos and archival footage, the film tells the story of the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, the Aurora Bridge, the birth of the Fremont Arts Council (FAC) and the creation of the Fremont Troll sculpture.
The Troll, gripping its Volkswagen Bug, is one of the most famous and popular attractions in Seattle – maybe second only to the Space Needle. What do we know about how it came to be? Interviews with artists Steve Badanes and Ross Whitehead (who worked alongside co-creators Will Martin and Donna Walters) tell the story of their design.
Barb Luecke, Fremont Arts Council representative and grant coordinator, described the competition that led to the selection of the Troll design from three different proposals. Barb said that “The Hall of Giants” refers to the commanding series of arches supporting the Aurora Bridge, leading down to the ship canal. The name was chosen to honor all the workers who built the National Historic Register-listed bridge (1929-1932), an incredible engineering achievement.
The FAC received a grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to create some kind of art installation under the bridge at NE 36th Street, formerly a rat-infested site where “old cars, trash and refrigerators were dumped.” The FAC was one of the first organizations to allow the general public to vote on their favorite contest entry. Competition maquettes – small mock-up models – were displayed at the Fremont Fair and the Fremont Library. Hundreds of people cast a vote and the Troll design won by a landslide.
Through this fun film, we hear the voices of many of the folks who worked on the Troll’s construction and learn how it was built, what’s inside it and where the VW Bug came from. The documentary covers questions about the definition of public art, neighborhood gentrification, and the importance of art in building community. The Fremont Troll turns 35 in December this year. I recommend you check this film out.
The Friends of Troll’s Knoll Park (www.fremonttrollsknoll.org) is sponsoring a free showing of the 90-minute documentary at the Fremont Public Library on Sunday, August 31, 2:30 p.m. Director Michael Falcone and other special guests will be in attendance. You can also rent the DVD from Scarecrow Video; it’s in the documentary section.