This Incredible Sculpture Is Made of Trash

"Half Rabbit." Carolyn Eaton/Alamy

On one of the many buildings peppering the quiet and winding streets of Gaia, Portugal, is a massive rabbit sculpture made from recycled materials and trash collected from the city.

The sculpture, which was brought to life by Portuguese artist Bordallo II (who often creates animal art using repurposed materials), serves as a subtle yet scathing critique of society’s wastefulness and its consequences for the natural environment. The art piece is also a call for increased social awareness of ecological sustainability.

The sculpture is positioned on the building in such a way that the rabbit is seemingly folded in two, with one half being multicolored and the other unpainted, which serves to illustrate the materials’ original colors. It is for these reasons that the artwork is called the “Half Rabbit.” Metal pieces, street signs, and plastic containers are just some of the materials used to create the rabbit’s eyes, ears, and whiskers.

Know Before You Go

Gaia is located on the other side of the Douro river and faces the city of Porto. You can get to this city and the sculpture from Porto by crossing the Luís I bridge or by taking the Teléferico (cable car) down. In fact, the sculpture can be seen from the Teléferico.