Saturday 24 January 2015

ART FOR ART'S SAKE

I went to Waiheke Island today to view the Headland Sculpture display.
This is at Matiatia Bay where the ferries dock and runs along the headland in and out of regenerated bush to Church Bay.

There are over 30 sculptures some of them really large installations and the walk is at least a couple of kilometres.

It was stunning.

This is a world class 'exhibition' and it was free.

The walk itself is great with views out over the Hauraki gulf and Waitemata harbour but with the sculptures in the foreground makes for pure magic.



The sculptures range from massive to small; elegant to bizarre; clever to pretentious but most with a great sense of 'place', using the beautiful setting well.







The huge metal dandelions are one of my favourites with the clever depiction of the flower seeds  being  separated by wind.



This mirror sculpture was outstanding. at certain angles the installation almost disappeared, merging with the sky and clouds. The pole mirrors stood really high but somehow were sympathetic with the surroundings as they reflected all about them.









This metal flower tent was both grand and elegant.
You can climb inside and see out towards Rangitoto. It was my favourite.



This spiral project is a great example of something striking that comes from a very simple concept. The lines are 'drawn' using duct tape - lots of it - pinned down to a hillside. It is visible from the gulf and epitomises creative thinking.



This mock cellar door reflects the island's wine history and was really quite clever.



This was just a bit weird.



This one, made of painted cloth strips looked like a grape vine and suited the location. Simple and clever.

All of the sculptures are for sale but of course, given that this is Waiheke and a tourist mecca , they are very expensive but what the hell. This is a great showcase.


Leaving and returning to Auckland's ferry terminal we go past this tribute to greed.





The Serene (should be renamed Obscene) is the $400 million plaything of a Russian billionaire.

Apparently he has made most of his money by owning Stolychnaya vodka.

They would have us believe that it comes from this:



The reality is that this huge wealth is based on this.





MONEY FOR GOD'S SAKE

3 comments:

Robert and the Catholics said...

Aliens made those sculptures.

Richard (of RBB) said...

Great stuff!

THE CURMUDGEON said...

I see that some scrotes have vandalised some of the installations.
What's wrong with some people?