Check Out GG Park’s Newest Sculptures on the “Golden Mile”

The Golden Mile, a whimsical 1.5 stretch of Golden Gate Park teeming with large-scale art pieces, gigantic murals, and live music, has a birthday coming up and two extraordinary new installations will be unveiled as part of the celebration.

Four sculptures called “Eat, Travel, Play, Care,” featuring Gillie and Marc’s iconic Dogman and Rabbitwoman characters will be unveiled this weekend. The sculptures, each weighing nearly a ton and standing more than eight feet tall, will be located just west of the Conservatory of Flowers on JFK Promenade. Although their much-loved characters – Rabbitwoman and Dogman – can be found all over the world as a representation of diversity and acceptance, this is the first time they have been exhibited on the West Coast.

“This marks a heartfelt milestone for us as it’s our first public exhibition in San Francisco – a city which holds a special place in our hearts. We are humbled to introduce Rabbitwoman and Dogman into the warm, diverse spirit of San Francisco and we eagerly anticipate connecting these interactive artworks with the local community,” said artists Gillie and Marc.

Ben Davis, the CEO of Illuminate, which created the Golden Mile on JFK Promenade in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, said The Golden Mile is an evolving phenomenon in the city. “We are striving to create a magical, whimsical space here in the park,” Davis said. “Art, live music, beautiful pianos, a coffee kiosk, and even a beer garden now, it’s truly a special place.”

Just down the promenade a massive(ly) ironic piece called “Over Ruled” will also be unveiled. The 120-foot long, 20-foot high structure which spells out the words NO DANCING, is from San Francisco arts organization Looking Up Arts. It will make its San Francisco debut after first appearing at Burning Man earlier this year. There is much dancing planned in front of this piece, by artist Sri Guttikonda, which is located by the Skatin’ Place near the 8th Avenue entrance to the park.

“Great public spaces improve lives and strengthen communities,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “We achieve great public spaces by inviting in art, music and fun for people of all ages. These new pieces keep the JFK Promenade fresh and dynamic.”

In addition to the two new art pieces, the beloved Yellow Dot, which welcomes visitors entering on the eastern end, is being refreshed with new trees, planters and a giant new yellow Adirondack chair called the “Chaise of Praise.” Those sitting in the big chair must utter only compliments to passersby.

Nearly two dozen pieces were installed on the Golden Mile in its first year including 14 massive murals painted directly onto the pavement, large-scale art installations, 200 bright yellow Adirondack chairs, two pianos for open play, and even a whale (come out to the park and you’ll understand).

Last year Illuminate raised over $500,000 to fund The Golden Mile. The nonprofit just launched a new crowdfunding campaign for 2023 and a $100,000 grant to the project has been made by the city’s Office of Employment and Workforce Development (OEWD).

Read more at the Golden Mile Project.