36-foot octopus is at Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. How to see it
Published August 2025
It's 36-feet long, it's bronze and it's at Charlestown Navy Yard: it's "The Arms of Friendship" octopus.
The sculpture is one of three pieces in a new art exhibit called the "Bridge of Joy." The works are done by artists known as Gillie and Marc (Schattner).
The exhibit is presented by Navy Yard Garden & Art.
"Installed to connect both sides of the Tobin Bridge—long a dividing line within the neighborhood—these three bronze works by internationally renowned artists Gillie and Marc were created to surprise, delight, and symbolically deepen Charlestown’s connection to the Navy Yard, and to each other as a community," the Navy yard website states.
Here's what to know about the art exhibit.
It includes three sculptures, which according to the Navy yard website, include:
- "The Arms of Friendship: This 36-foot-long, seven-ton bronze octopus ... is the centerpiece. The sculpture holds endangered animals in each of its limbs, a powerful symbol of interconnection and care. Crafted with meticulous detail and immense scale, this piece reflects the artists’ mission to enchant, educate, and inspire action for wildlife conservation.
- "The Wild Table of Love: Rabbitwoman and Dogman host a whimsical dinner party seated alongside ten endangered animals. Two open seats invite the public to join the table, offering a joyful moment of connection, care, and shared presence."
- "The Hippo Was Hungry to Try New Things: This sculpture reflects on habitat loss and the importance of empathy, featuring a quiet coffee moment between Rabbitwoman and her hippo friend. It’s a space to pause, sit, and reflect on our relationship with the natural world."
Where are the sculptures located?
They are all at the Charlestown Navy Yard, located at 1 Shipyard Park, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA.
- "The Arms of Friendship" is located at Dry Dock 2, between the two large anchors.
- "The Wild Table of Love" is located Under the Tobin Bridge at Lowney Way.
- "The Hippo Was Hungry to Try New Things" is located at Shipyard Park on the brick plaza near the MBTA ferry.
How long will these sculptures be on display?
The Navy yard website stated that the sculptures will be on displaythrough July 2027.
The grand opening of the exhibit happened on Aug. 6, 2025.
