Dementia themed light sculpture in Rotorua

Work begins this Friday to set up the installation, which spans 13 metres by 13 metres. Photo/Supplied

Work to set up an art installation that will light up inner city Rotorua during April will begin this week.

Alzheimers New Zealand chief executive Catherine Hall said the light sculpture named Affinity will artistically portray the growing problem of dementia.

"The Affinity art installation symbolises both the lighting up of our brains, and the lighting up of our awareness and compassion toward people living with dementia," she said.

There are about 60,000 Kiwis living with dementia now but Ms Hall said the circle of those affected by the condition was huge.

"The problem will get much worse. The number of people with dementia is expected to increase to over 150,000 by 2050."

The light sculpture, which is activated by human touch and best viewed at dusk, will be in the City Focus from April 3-23.

Work begins this Friday to set up the installation, which spans 13m by 13m, stands 3.5m tall, and features a web of interconnected globes representing neurons in the brain.

The interactive Affinity sculpture. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The lighting up of the dramatic sculpture will be attended by award winning author and Alzheimer's New Zealand Champion for Dementia Kate de Goldi.

Ms de Goldi said dementia, and caring for those who are affected by the condition, was a confronting and emotionally exhausting issue.

She has experienced the struggles of caring for loved ones living with the condition and said it was encouraging to see Rotorua's efforts to become the first dementia-friendly community in the country, and hoped it was an idea taken up nationwide.

"It may take a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to look after our elderly," she said.

Ms de Goldi said better education in schools and communities was the first step to addressing the looming epidemic.

"It's understandable that it may be easier for people to steer clear of the topic of dementia and Alzheimer's, because it's scary.

"With my parents, I found the idea very confronting, but learning more about dementia helped us all to see it differently, to feel less afraid - and ultimately to feel at peace with our parents' final years.

"When there is an awareness from local government of more Kiwis living with dementia, then there is a greater buy-in from the community."

Affinity's visit to Rotorua is being principally sponsored by health and care company Bupa, with support from Rotorua Lakes Council and Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust.