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1. Airborne: celebrating Orewa’s uniqueness, vision and preparedness. 2. Pacific Motion: draws on the energy of the ocean and shoreline in a playful expression of waves and tide as they rise and fall. Incorporates water misting and lighting. 3. Fleet: drawing on the action, magic and purpose of sail power. Features 3.5m tall sails, a water misting system and in-ground lighting. 4. Bloom: embodying our coastal land, sand and waveforms, tree and plant life. The head contains a water misting system and lighting. 5. Harp: encapsulates the human heart and the transformative power of music. Features a water misting system and inground lighting.
Five sculpture options for a key location in Orewa will be presented to the public this month.
Feedback from the community will be an important consideration as the local board decides which one of the sculptures to commission.
The designs were all created by artists Philipp Ripa of Wainui and John Mulholland of Warkworth to replace the fountain on Moana Reserve. Water is an intrinsic part of the sculptures and they are made in stainless steel due to the exposed nature of the site.
The new sculpture’s prominent position, close to the town centre and beach, means it will attract a lot of interest, which is why the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board is keen for feedback.
The local board allocated $160,000 to replace the fountain, and made the project a priority (HM November 1, 2018 and March 13, 2019).
Chair Julia Parfitt says the replacement water feature must fit strict criteria governing Council’s renewal budget and these funds can’t be allocated to other projects.
“We are excited and impressed with the designs and hope that our community are too,” Julia says. “It’s important to choose an option we can enjoy for years to come.”
Estuary Arts Centre manager Kim Boyd agrees and says opinions about public artwork can be polarising. “It is important to trigger a healthy debate,” Kim says. “We encourage people to have their say and keep an open mind.”
Designer Nick Hindson of Eurobuild Construction, who is overseeing and managing the project, says that the designers are excited about the public consultation.
“Creating the right balance of art, sculpture, water feature and sense of place has been the centre of tension in the design and creation of these concepts,” he says.
The designs go on display at Estuary Arts Centre on June 18 and 22 and they can also be viewed online.
The local board will make the final choice, and Julia says public feedback will be a big factor guiding this.
Have your say
Drop-in sessions to view the designs and talk to the artists will be on Tuesday, June 18, 6pm-8pm and Saturday, June 22, 10am-12pm at Estuary Arts Centre, 214B Hibiscus Coast Highway, Ōrewa.
From June 18, feedback can be given at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/haveyoursay The survey is open from June 18 to July 7.
