A city, 800 years in the future, built over garbage and haunted by garbage.
Garbage Town was on exhibit from September 2020 to December 2023 inside a shopping mall in downtown Norfolk. Over 25,000 visitors experienced its whimsical world—and many became devoted fans.
Within its streets lived the Garbage People, along with garbage cats and bunnies who roamed freely among the city’s landmarks: a bank, a temple, a butcher shop, cozy houses, and more. There was even a wedding between two Garbage People, celebrated right in the heart of town.
Stories of their lives and philosophies appeared on small handwritten notes scattered throughout the exhibit, slowly weaving together a beloved world that visitors could explore and piece together themselves. One of the most adored residents was Googooli, a talking garbage can on wheels who roamed the streets spreading laughter. Countless visitors wanted to take Googooli home.
Every structure in Garbage Town was crafted entirely from recycled materials. Many of the new installations were built by schoolchildren—especially elementary students who visited on field trips after local schools discovered the magic of Garbage Town.
