Hyde Park Memorial Questions And Answers
19 December 2005
Hyde Park Memorial Questions And Answers
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the memorial for?
The New Zealand Memorial will commemorate the relationship between New Zealand and the United Kingdom and serve as a focus of remembrance of the shared sacrifice during two world wars, and other military engagements from the South African War to the present day.
Why
London?
The capital is the ideal place for such a
memorial as the seat of government and where there is the
greatest number of ex-pat New Zealanders living. It is also
home to a number of other Commonwealth memorials.
Why Hyde
park Corner?
The site was suggested by English Heritage
with the support of Westminster City Council. Hyde Park
Corner is an important ceremonial space and along with the
recently completed Australian Memorial, on the opposite
corner of the site, the New Zealand Memorial will provide a
much needed focus for ANZAC Day and other
commemorations.
Why now?
In a globalised world it is
all the more important that people are able to assert their
own national identity. The development of memorials such as
this reflects New Zealand’s strengthening national identity
by recognising the significant part we played in wars
overseas and the impact that participation had on this
country. Related to this is an increasing demand by young
New Zealanders, particularly when they are overseas, to
express their national identity on occasions such as ANZAC
Day. This memorial will provide a place for the many
thousands of New Zealanders living in London to do
that.
How much will it cost?
The budget for the design
and construction of the memorial is $3 million or
approximately £1 million.
Who designed it?
The memorial
is a collaboration between Dibble Art Co and Athfield
Architects Ltd, led by sculptor Paul Dibble and architect
John Hardwick-Smith with Jon Rennie as the team’s London
representative.
How was the design selected?
In October
2004, 12 designs teams were selected from the 86 who
submitted expressions of interest. The 12 teams were
invited to submit actual designs for the memorial, and from
these 12 a selection panel, appointed by the Ministry for
Culture and Heritage, selected the final design. Since that
time, the design has been refined and submitted to
Westminster City Council for planning approval. This
approval has now been received.
What does it look like?
What words and images are going to be on it?
The design
is based around 16 bronze sculptures set out in a formation
across a grassy slope overlooking Hyde Park Corner. The
sculptures, which are each configured as a cross when seen
from above, will feature words and images that evoke the
theme of the memorial. Images of the overall design of the
memorial are available on the Ministry for Culture and
Heritage website: www.mch.govt.nz. The exact words and
images to adorn the memorial will remain under wraps until
it is unveiled.
When will it be finished?
It is hoped to complete the memorial within the next year.
ENDS