Auckland City Council - City Scene

Auckland City has provided $700,000 for the Viaduct Harbour Sculpture Park project. This will allow up to eight permanent sculptures and a number of temporary works to be 'created' on site by various artists.

$500,000 will help buy the works and a further $200,000 will be used to pay artists for their concept, design and preparatory costs.

Sponsorship is also being sought to fund the artworks, with one institution already pledging to give up to $1 million towards a work. Sculptures by leading local and international artists will be commissioned for spaces around the harbour to add interest to the newly created public walkways and plazas

So far 20 artists have been chosen to submit proposals from the 110 who indicated interest in the project. The sculptures will be in keeping with the maritime environment of the harbour development and may include one mounted in the water and another possibly suspended between buildings.

The decision on which local New Zealand artists will be funded to develop their detailed design proposals will be announced within the next few weeks. Japanese artist Susumu Shingu, known for his moving sculptures incorporating water and a marine influence, is to be one of the international artists.

The artworks will not be installed until after the America's Cup regatta in March 2000.

"The sculptures will be a drawcard in their own right for visitors to the Viaduct Harbour, and will complement the styling of the Council plaza and waterfront development," says Councillor Victoria Carter, Chairperson of the City Attractions committee.

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