Help name the new octopus sculpture at Cantigny's Alebrijes exhibit

Posted July 12, 2022 11:00 pm

Submitted by Ann Fink

There's still time to help name the giant octopus sculpture, part of "Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World" at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Many of the other 48 alebrijes in the exhibition take their names from Spanish or Indigenous languages. Courtesy of Cantigny Park

The 49th alebrije, a spectacular 15-foot-high octopus sculpture, is the final creation and crowning achievement by the six artists featured in "Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World" at Cantigny Park now through Oct. 30.

The octopus is the culmination of the dream of the six artists from Mexico City who created the other 48 works specifically for this exhibition.

It took the combined efforts of all six artists to complete the octopus on time.

They were aided with scores of community volunteers who helped to papier-mâché and paint.

Community members helped paint the giant octopus sculpture at Cantigny Park's "Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World." Courtesy of Cantigny Park

The octopus is now done but lacks one very important detail - a name!

Many of the other 48 alebrijes in the exhibition take their names from Spanish or Indigenous languages.

The public is invited to visit bit.ly/3OStNYE and choose either the word for octopus in Spanish ("pulpo") or in Nahuatl ("atokatl"). Or submit your own suggestion.

Voting and suggestions are welcome through Monday, July 18.

"Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World" is on display through Oct. 30 at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.

Admission is included with Cantigny's regular parking fee ($5 per car on weekdays; $10 weekends). Parking is free on the first Wednesday of the month. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. For more information, visit Cantigny.org/Alebrijes.

"Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World" is made possible through a partnership of Cantigny Park, the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, and the City of West Chicago. Cantigny Park is located in DuPage County, known as an outdoor oasis with robust arts and culture.

The colorful tentacles of the giant octopus sculpture emerge from the ground at Cantigny Park's "Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World." Courtesy of Cantigny Park

"Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World" is an example of the one-of-a-kind experiences found only in DuPage. For ideas on pairing a trip to Cantigny with other DuPage destinations, visit "DuPage Road Trip - Where Nature Meets Art" at DiscoverDuPage.com.

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