Bright idea offers Viaduct a new twist

Artist's impression of Peter Roche's 30m Twister.

An Auckland artist wants to build a giant glowing neon and steel twister sculpture at Viaduct Harbour - but first he needs about $3 million.

The work - shown in this artist's impression - would be 20m high, made of three intertwining helixes of steel and lights, and would sit at the entrance to the Viaduct area.

It has been designed by Peter Roche, an Auckland artist known for his work with kinetic sculpture and light.

The sculpture would shimmer and give the appearance of movement even though it would be static.

The newly-established Twister Trust aims to raise between $2.5 million and $3 million to construct the piece.

The project is still in its conceptual stages and depends on funding and resource consent.

However, the Auckland City Council's senior arts planner, Warren Pringle, said the council had been involved in the development of the idea and expected it would be a drawcard for the Viaduct.

"It will be very much a beacon bringing people to the area. It will activate the area in terms of retail, commerce and events."

The sculpture would join three others already in the Viaduct. The Auckland City Sculpture Trust has gifted two pieces: Cytoplasm, by Phil Price, which was installed in Waitemata Plaza in 2004, and the steel and granite Raupo Rap by Denis O'Connor, which has been at the Viaduct since last year.

The third Viaduct sculpture is Fire Window by Eric Orr, which is made of granite, water and light, and was donated by the Auckland Art Gallery.