Demolition art challenges Auckland¹s ³heritage apathy²

An artist, who protested against the demolition of three art deco houses in Turua St, St Heliers, is continuing to fight against the destruction of Auckland¹s heritage, this time with art made from demolition bricks.

Painter Jana Wood has turned bricks from the Turua Street demolition into an installation that celebrates architectural diversity and beauty. The aim, says Wood, is to remind us that our built history is fragile and precious. ³If our apathy towards heritage in Auckland continues, our urban landscape will become more and more homogenous and will tell us less and less about our past.²

Rather than seeing old buildings as ³knock downs², Wood invites Aucklanders to treasure them, as mementos of the past.

³Many of the old cottages around Auckland are part architecture and part artwork,² says Wood. ³They were built in the art noveau and art deco periods when artisans worked alongside architects to create stylised symbols and decorations for the outside and inside of homes and public buildings.²

³When you look closely at these buildings you will find whimsical motifs like yachts and fish integrated into buildings, symbols that tell a story of Auckland¹s people and places.²

These buildings bring much needed diversity and depth to our urban environment,² says Wood ³I am asking Aucklanders to stop and notice what old heritage buildings add to their communities. We need to place a value on them, as pieces of history that can never be replaced.²

Jana Wood¹s installation ³The Architecture of Happiness² is showing at Artstation, Ponsonby from 17 August. Š

What: ³The Architecture of Happiness², part of the ³How Diversity Works² Exhbition Where: Artstation Gallery, 1 Ponsonby Rd When: 17 August ¬ 3 September

View pics on Jana¹s Facebook page
www.artstation.co.nz

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