Bold Bollards Back in Whangarei

Tuesday, 8 March 2016, 9:24 am
Press Release: The Basin Arts and Crafts House

Bold Bollards Back in Whangarei

Whangarei's Brightly Coloured Bollards were the surprising subject of national news coverage back in December 2014. Whangarei District Council moved quickly to insist that THE BACH repaint the bollards in front of their Gallery a dull green after two Artivists painted them in bright Hundertwasser inspired colours. The painting was done in support of a local School Art Competition, however in the lead up to the referendum on the Hundertwasser Art Centre, the use of such bold colour had become a politically sensitive issue. Bright murals and painted letterboxes were popping up all over town but this minor infringement of the rules on WDC property was quick to attract attention and the resulting over-reaction from some on Council (who took the view that it was “vandalism and defacement of Council property”), created an unbelievable Facebook and media response.

THE BACH Artivists returned the Bollards to their original state (after a week’s delay due to rain – was Friedrich Hundertwasser “up there somewhere” signalling his support?) and the Council even sent contractors to straighten 2 that were less than upright! - but late last year the Artivists finally obtained Council permission to re-instate colour in front of the Gallery AND around the adjacent parking area.

The bold, bright Bollards will now be a permanent fixture outside THE BACH at Town Basin and, for many, it is a signal of the city’s decision to embrace the Hundertwasser legacy.

ENDS

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