In the Museum of History & Industry’s new YouTube series, “MOHAI Minute,” (which is really more like 2 minutes 21 seconds), producer/creators Helen Divjak and Peder Nelson crack the dull mold of History Channel-like docs and make entertaining, bite-sized pieces that roll out facts both trivial and intriguing about “Seattle’s most fascinating historic spots,” including Skylark Cafe, Volunteer Park and now, the Fremont Troll.
Besides a too-synthy musical intro and not-quite synced audio editing that reminds me of a bad martial arts flick, it’s a fun little number. The hyperkinetic short fills in some interesting tidbits about the 20-year-old sculpture that presides over Troll Avenue atop 36th Street, looking as if the weight of the Aurora Bridge overhead is on its hunched shoulders.
Divjak and Nelson make a good team who tell audiences about the troll’s origins as the inspiration of the Jersey Devils sculptors, who won the right to create the beloved creature by popular vote, even after it lost the official competition organized by the Fremont Arts Council.
MOHAI stores the only known model of the troll, which was created in 24 hours by the artists.
The MOHAI Minute series began in March, with 5 weekly episodes excluding this one. Check out the rest here.