Portland Shocker: Giant Avocado Statue Unveiled in Rose Quarter

Portland Shocker: Giant Avocado Statue Unveiled in Rose QuarterPortland Shocker: Giant Avocado Statue Unveiled in Rose Quarter Portland, Oregon has unveiled its newest and most puzzling public artwork: a towering avocado statue in the Rose Quarter. The 25-foot-tall, 100,000-pound avocado is the brainchild of local artist Mike Bennett and has been met with a mixture of shock and amusement. The bronze statue, titled “Guacamole,” depicts a ripe avocado, complete with its bumpy skin and a stem. It stands majestically at the corner of North Rosa Parks Way and Vancouver Avenue, across from the Moda Center and the Portland Trail Blazers practice facility. Bennett has been working on the statue for over a year, and he says it symbolizes Portland’s “weird” and “offbeat” culture. “It’s not supposed to be beautiful,” he explained. “It’s just fun.” The statue’s sudden appearance has sparked a range of reactions. Some Portlanders have embraced it as a quirky addition to the city’s art scene, while others have questioned its aesthetics and relevance. “It’s so ridiculous,” said one local resident. “But I kind of love it at the same time.” “It’s a total eyesore,” said another. “Why would they put something like that in such a prominent location?” Regardless of how one feels about the giant avocado, there’s no denying that it has become an instant landmark. Tourists and locals alike have been flocking to the Rose Quarter to snap photos of the statue. Mayor Ted Wheeler has not yet commented on the statue, but he did tweet that “Portland continues to surprise us.” Whether “Guacamole” will become a beloved or reviled piece of public art remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: it has already made its mark on the City of Roses.