Flaco, 2024
Flaco, Eurasian Eagle Owl, 2024
Murano glass, gold leaf and 2 Murine for eyes
13 X 6.5 X 6.5 inches
Flaco - March 10, 2010- Februrary 23, 2024
Flaco was the Eurasian Eagle Owl that escaped the Central Park Zoo. He was born and raised in captivity and in a cage for 13 years, now he was finally free.
He flew around New York City and we loved seeing him, it was magical. He was a hero we looked up to. He lived free in New York City, hanging primarily around Central Park and looking into windows of residents in the area. Often perching on their balconies or terraces. Years of being stared at by humans, he was acting in reverse.
After 13 years of having his meals delivered in the zoo, Flaco, by nature, was able to catch his own food, a rat or mouse or other creatures in Central Park. Unfortunately in NYC rat poison is used and his prey was full of that.
Slowly Flaco lost his strength and one day fell from a perch in a courtyard of a luxury building on Central Park West and was rescued by the doorman but it was too late and Flaco died.
We still mourn him and now there is Flaco's Law which will curb and change the poison used in New York City.
I created this sculpture in precious amber Murano glass with 24k gold leaf and antique orange murine eyes as a reminder of the important, fragile and priceless gift freedom is. He was 14 when he died. Flaco lived only one full year as a free bird in NYC where he was admired, loved and respected as a hero and as an immigrant for his survival in this town and the changes he made.
The proceeds from the sale of this sculpture will go to The Wild Bird Fund in New York City, a foundation I support.
- https://bigmanhattanyear.com/2023/04/05/flaco-on-wikipedia/
CC BY-SA 4.0
Modified as Flaco Vero, Flaco Vetro
