WSHExamplesInspirationOctoberEmail
- 2. “Wellington Sculptural Highway” Wellington has a well-deserved reputation as the “Arts Capital” of New Zealand and is also notable for “Lonely Planet’s” 2011 declaration as the “coolest little Capital City” in the World. This proposal wishes to add to the Wellington regions “Arts” mantra, creating a visually exciting and unique sculptural journey for those visiting and travelling to and from the City, with the placement of large sculptures positioned along State Highway One from Otaki to Wellington. These symbolic sculptures would stamp the Wellington region firmly in the “creative world” for the visitor travelling into the City, adding to the many sculptural jewels it already has in its crown.They would also provide a source of pride and linkage to locals as they identify with the sculptural art symbolising their communities along this route. Quality Urban Design The requirement to implement the desired outcomes of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol, should be foremost in all NZ major civic construction projects. This protocol, implemented in 2005 with signatories including the Ministry of Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency., was produced to ensure what we build adds to and enhances our environment, its visual amenity and the quality of life for those using these amenities. This proposal is a step towards acheiving the desired result from one of the key requirements of this protocol. By embracing artistic and architectural excellence in quality urban design ensures the final constructed form will create a sense of civic pride and an inspiring “Sense of Place” for the communities that use them. The following images are merely examples to illustrate ideas implemented elsewhere.The opportunity to create unique and locally inspired form will come from engaging with local artists, embracing all of the historic, cultural and mythological past and present of the area. Quality urban design: • emphasises innovative and imaginative solutions • combines processes and design responses that enhance the experience we have of urban environments • incorporates art and artists in the design process at an early stage to contribute to creative approaches • values public art that is integrated into a building, space or place • builds a strong and distinctive local identity • utilises new technology • incorporates different cultural perspectives References The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol - http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/towns-and-cities/new-zealand-urban-design-protocol Bridging the Gaps NZTA - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/bridging-the-gap/
- 3. AngeloftheNorth Angel of the North Since spreading its wings in February 1998 Antony Gormley’s The Angel of the North has become one of the most visited and talked about piece’s of public art ever produced in the UK. Rising 20 meters from the earth near the A1 in Gateshead, the Angel dominates the skyline, dwarfing all those who come to see it. Made from 200 tonnes of steel, it has a wingspan of 54 metres. The Angel of the North has become a major tourist attraction for the area, drawing visitors from afar and adding to the local economy. The ability of art to attract people’s attention is well known. Roadside sculpture is an excellent drawcard for those travelling past that are looking for exciting and inspirational places to visit. Wayfinding is also improved as these sculptures become easily recognised landmarks. During construction, consideration of access should be a key factor as evidence shows the public will want access. Parking, walkways, cycleways and places to sit and view are key to getting the most from this investment in public art.
- 4. The Kelpies The Kelpies are 30-metre high horse-head sculptures, standing near River Carron, in The Helix, a new parkland project built to connect 16 communities in the Falkirk Council Area, Scotland.The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013 complete with their own visitor centre.The Kelpies are a monument to horse powered heritage across Scotland.
- 5. Roadside sculpture comes in many inspirational forms. Given the opportunity, local artists will each add their own creative talent that reflects the place and surroundings they live in. Engineering, materials, foundations, installation, on-going maintenance are things to consider during the sculptural process.
- 6. From simple formwork on the sides of bridges and roads to unique and spectacular additions create excellent gateways to an area.
- 8. The Gold Line Bridge is a 200m bridge stretching diagonally across the Eastbound I-210 Freeway in Arcadia, California. The Construction Authority, with the help of award-winning public artist Andrew Leicester, envisioned the Gold Line Bridge as a memorable expression of the community, past and present. Mr. Leicester was selected through a competitive national call process which the Construction Authority initiated in 2009. The Construction Authority hired Mr. Leicester as the Design Concept Advisor before the contractor and architect, re-imagining the design process for infrastructure projects.This ground-breaking collaboration early in the design process resulted in the creation of a sculptural bridge, built for the same cost as was originally estimated pre the addition of sculptural form.
- 9. Safety fencing, sound walls, railings are another easy way to add artistic flair to our construction projects. Laser cutting, new construction techniques and materials provide an immense resource enabling designers to implement quality urban design and add sculptural form to their work.
- 10. Example Sculptural Highway, Melbourne, Australia Pictured here is a tunnel portal on the Eastlink freeway outside Melbourne. Daytime above, night below. In the words of designers Wood/Marsh PTY Ltd Architecture, “Conceptually the desire was to create a large scale sculptural object that extended over the entire project… The integration of public art along the freeway helps to enrich the project and Melbourne’s urban fabric.” Highly colorful roadside sculptures and formwork add vibrancy to the journey into the city.
- 11. A miniature hotel adds another eye catcher…. Daytime visuals are enhanced by lighting at night. Daytime visuals are enhanced by lighting at night. Daytime visuals are enhanced by lighting at night. A new take on an overbridge.
- 12. “Subject to Change”. Koro Drive, Wellington “Zephyrometer”. Evans Bay, Wellington Two examples of existing roadside sculptures in Wellington.These thought provoking sculptures have become well known landmarks and loved by Wellingtonians.
- 13. Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is a pedestrian and cycleway bridge across the Waiwhakaiho River at New Plymouth in New Zealand. Its spectacular shape and setting make it a popular landmark. The bridge is designed to evoke a sense of wind as a metaphor for the enduring spirit of the dead buried around the Rewa Rewa Pa site. The bridge was officially opened on 5 June 2010. In July 2010, its first full month of operation, the bridge was used by 55,756 cyclists and pedestrians.
- 14. With laser cutting readily available, localised patterns can be easily added as inserts that can provide a unique vibrancy to any project. This can be an excellent medium for artists to “tell a story” in pictures.
- 15. The examples of 3d concrete relief below should be inspiration for local artists to create their own unique localised patterns.The applications of patterning is an easy enhancement to any structure. From flat concrete to artform!
- 16. On this page are some conceptual images by two local Kapiti artists, Bodhi Vincent and Mike Fuller. The “Car in Hand” and “Bird in Tree” sculptures and the bridge patterning opposite are by Bodhi Vincent. “Whale Song” on the right, based on the Kapiti Rd interchange and the fence illustrations below are by Mike Fuller.The fence is a 45m laser cut image representative of the history of the Kapiti Coast. A colourised version is below.
- 17. For any queries regarding this document please contact the author below: Marco Zeeman 9 Valley Rd, Paraparaumu. 5032 04 297 3237 - office/home 027 493 3626 - cell marco@zeeman.co.nz - email For background information on the author http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/marco-zeeman/42/265/b72/ This document was printed with the generous support of PrintGroup Images from Tareitanga Sculpture Symposium, Frank Kitts Park, Wellington.