Sculpture Entries Closing for Festival

FESTIVAL OF THE ELEMENTS
WAITANGI DAY
6 February 2006
Te Rauparaha Park

MEDIA RELEASE

November 22, 2005
Sculpture Entries Closing for Festival

Artists only have until the end of this month to register interest in Porirua’s popular annual Recycled Sculpture Competition, held at the Festival of the Elements on Waitangi Day in February.

Sculpture competition coordinator, Pearl Freemantle, says there are twenty spots for competitors.

“For the first time at the Festival, two spots will be reserved for Arts students from the Whitireia Community Polytechnic. The students will be selected by the Head of the Arts Programme at the Polytechnic, based on their talent and promise,” Ms Freemantle says.

Ms Freemantle says the Festival is particularly interested in attracting artists who haven’t entered the competition previously.

“They will add another dimension alongside regulars, who continue to be supportive and dedicated to the concept of using recycled materials in the competition,” Ms Freemantle says.

“Through the use of recycled materials the sculptors are to express ideas about the elements - earth, air, wind and fire - and relate this to the appreciation and value of the culture of Porirua on Waitangi Day. It gives the sculptors a powerful arena to express themselves,” she says.

A one thousand dollar first prize will again be on offer, with a $500 second prize, and $250 for third prize. Another $250 prize will be awarded for the winner of the public vote, introduced at the Festival for the first time in 2004.

“The Festival sculpture competition is very visual and very popular. The public enjoys observing the sculptures evolve throughout the day,” Ms Freemantle says.

“The competition is also a good arena for artists to put their name out there in the public. Many of the sculptors have a following of public interest, having been part of the Festival of the Elements Recycled Sculpture Competition in the past,”

Ms Freemantle says the sculpture competition has an element of performance arts in it because the artists create their sculptures right in front of the public.

“The sculptors create their pieces on site at Te Rauparaha Park in the one day, so the whole sculpture is created right there at the Festival.” Ms Freemantle says.

Sculptures have to be durable enough to last a year. Most of the materials used are recycled from Trash Palace in Porirua, including tyres, metal tubing, corrugated iron and pallet wood. Tools used can only be hand tools or battery operated tools.

After the Festival, the winning entries will be displayed at Trash Palace.

“There’s not much time left for artists to lodge their entry for the coming Festival, so I urge anyone interested to contact me on 2367941,” Ms Freemantle says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media