Moai Head in Encinitas , California

myminifactory

In April 2011, a replica of Easter Island's iconic Moai statues was carved from an 11-foot Torrey pine stump in Encinitas' Swami's Park. This temporary public artwork is made from a natural material that decays over time, but it still stands proudly after more than a year with only minor signs of beetle infestation. The sculpture at Swami's Park beautifully represents the original Polynesian monolithic statues carved from stone between 1250 and 1500 CE on Chilean Easter Island. The Moai were created by the indigenous Rapanui people to honor their deified ancestors, and they are commonly referred to as "tiki" or "Easter Island heads." These massive statues have large, broad noses, strong chins, and rectangular-shaped ears, and they are typically depicted in a squat position with arms at rest. Recent news stories have sparked renewed interest in these iconic sculptures. According to a study published in the July issue of National Geographic, researchers suggest that the native Rapanui people used ropes to move the massive stone heads from the main quarry to platforms around the island's perimeter. However, local lore claims that the Moai were animated by mana, a spiritual force conveyed by powerful ancestors, and simply walked into place. Given the history of hardship faced by the Rapanui people, including famine, civil wars, slave raids, and deforestation, it is fitting that the Swami's Easter Island head sculpture has endured as long as it has. Efforts will be made to preserve this wooden statue, but only time will tell if nature ultimately prevails. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures and artworks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, and anyone with interesting objects they'd like to contribute can email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how to get involved.