Spiky Red Thing at the Central Motorway Junction
Here's some facts you should know about the Spiky Red Thing at the Central Motorway Junction in Auckland:
1. The public consultation process addressed the motorway construction but did not include detail on the proposed Spiky Red Thing (SRT) element.
2. SRT proudly occupies the premier public art space in the city with around 340, 000 cars daily passing through the Junction.3. According to Transit New Zealand the costs haven't been finalised as yet but it has cost around $200, 000 so far.
4. SRT was designed to be "mildly kinesthetic". In case you have never seen it move each pod can move around 500mm in strong wind. It would be unwise though to clog the motorway in a cyclone so as to watch it move.
5. It was designed by architect Rod Slater.
6. The official press release says, "Hopefully, it will help people to enjoy the Christmas spirit throughout the year." Hmm.
7. According to Transit New Zealand local iwi were consulted.
8. Spiky Red Thing has 1670+ friends on My Space.
9. Other Spiky relatives could be The Sky Tower and the vegetable totem thingies at Titirangi roundabout.
Also check out Frontseat's story on motorway art to air 10.20pm - 17th September on TV One.
Comments
I hate to be negative.... but how can this Spiky Red Thing be anything other than an insider trade deal jacked up by the construction company itself; using it's own salaried designer to gobble up more of a "aesthetic" budget for it's own manufacturing division? Spiky Red Thing must be the most "efficient art project" to date! I say it is clumsy to say the least and quite a bit sad. The Spiky Red Thing sits on a former site where Art Attack leapt into existence...the tradition continues! Another unannounced "sculpture" has appeared! Could this Miraculous place become a future pilgrimage destination for a worshiping cult? This could be a boost for the economy! Our "creative sector" has yet again powered up to keep our nation in the top of the OECD! Hurrah!!!!!!!