By NICK SMITH
"That's an artwork?"
Gordon Haar's question is a mixture of incredulity and scorn.
The tone of the waterfront worker's voice turns to one of outrage when he is told the artwork involving two tip-up trucks, lights and spinnaker cloth will cost about $50,000.
"You're saying that cost $50,000? I don't consider myself a great art person but that's an insult to my intelligence."
Called Skylight IV, the installation in question is the work of Dunedin artist Ralph Hotere and Europe-based sculptor Bill Culbert, who have staged variations on the theme in Edinburgh, London and Wellington.
In about four weeks' time, Hotere will paint a theme associated with his work on the translucent spinnaker, which will be framed by 120 fluorescent lights under the covers.
Skylight IV, attracting a $15,500 payment from Auckland City Council, with the rest met by sponsorship, is the first in a series of temporary sculptures to go up at the Viaduct Basin to add sparkle and spawn debate.
It is certainly succeeding in the latter, with many Auckland workers failing to recognise the twin trucks as a piece of art.
"That's a joke," said one, Alf Murphy.
"I thought they were just a couple of trucks.
"I would like to hear [Auckland Mayor] Christine Fletcher's opinion if that is where the ratepayers' money is going."
An artworks appraisal group is gearing up to install a number of permanent works for a "sculpture walk" around the Viaduct Basin funded by sponsorship.
The first of these is likely to be a water sculpture off Waitemata Plaza by Japanese artist Susumu Shingu.
Hotere and Culbert are other contenders to provide a permanent artwork.
The chairwoman of the Artworks Appraisal Group, city councillor Kay McKelvie, said the temporary artworks were meant to be outlandish and a bit of fun.
"When I was in New York recently there was a series of cows made of polystyrene all over town, upside down, in fountains. It was great fun."
Herald art critic T. J. McNamara said the truck sculpture was probably a very good idea, even if the public found it hard to understand.
"If people admire the light in a painting by Monet, why shouldn't they appreciate light when it's delivered by the truckload?"
Light sculpture leaves public in dark
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