Michael Parekowhai: The empire of light

It's hard to make good public art. There are too many constraints and obstacles, especially for artists adapted to operating within the philosophical and aesthetic safe haven of the white cube. They have to render their nimble ideas in forms and with materials that can cope with the weather, th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArt monthly Australia no. 299; p. 68
Main Author Leonard, Robert
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Acton Art Monthly Australia 01.06.2017
Subjects
21st century
Cook, James (1728-1779)
Light
Parekowhai, Michael
Politics
Public art
Sculpture
Social criticism & satire
New Zealand
Auckland New Zealand
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Summary:It's hard to make good public art. There are too many constraints and obstacles, especially for artists adapted to operating within the philosophical and aesthetic safe haven of the white cube. They have to render their nimble ideas in forms and with materials that can cope with the weather, the authorities, and the vandals. Their work has to operate rain or shine, 24/7. It has to hold its own within the scale and hubbub of its environment and engage both an uninitiated know-nothing public (who come to it cold) and a know-everything art world (who've already absorbed the backstory and are alert to the strategy). Plus, there are those random irritations and petty humiliations: stakeholder expectations, bylaws, consents, health and safety, contractors, third-party liability, plus the media pundits and other fools sent to judge your work. With his new public sculpture for the Auckland waterfront - The Lighthouse (2017) - Michael Parekowhai has risen to the challenges and conquered the problems. It's a bit of a coup, really.
ISSN:1033-4025