Kuma (Japanese Bear)
Material: Corten Steel
Size: Can be fabricated at any size upwards of 1.8 tall
Price: $POA
It’s lucky I feel this way because this turned into an epic project spanning over two years and two continents.
Meet Kuma the snarling bear and her three adorable cubs.
This family of brown bears was commissioned of the alpine resort of Panorama Niseko, which rests at the fot of Mt. Yotei in northern Japan.
In Hokkaido, the brown bear, or higuma, is iconic to the region and with these massive mammals reaching up to three metres tall and 300kg, they both feared and revered by the locals.
With their burly builds, snarling teeth and ability to run 50km/h, everything about the higuma says don’t mess with me. This is what I had in mind when I fabricated the three metre-tall Kuma, which means ‘bear’ in Japanese. Kuma is a commanding force, towering over everyone stands beside her.
The cubs, measuring 1-1.8m in height, were constructed as a way of softening the original bear’s demeanour and making the project more family-friendly. But I like the fact she still looks like a ferocious mama bear fiercely protecting her young.
With their burly builds, snarling teeth and ability to run 50km/h, everything about the higuma says don’t mess with me. This is what I had in mind when I fabricated the three metre-tall Kuma, which means ‘bear’ in Japanese. Kuma is a commanding force, towering over everyone stands beside her.
With the spectacular Mt Yotei for a backdrop, the Panorama Bears look incredible in the snow and have proven immensely popular with visitors to the resort. They even made it on to national TV in Japan. You can watch a video of the installation on my Instagram @matthillprojects and if you’d like some bears of your very own, don’t hesitate to get in touch.