Neil Dawson’s Fanfare sculpture will be installed by SCAPE Public Art at Chaney’s Corner at the northern entrance to Christchurch in 2014.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Council approves location for Fanfare sculpture

Christchurch City Council has agreed that a sculpture by Neil Dawson can be located at the northern entrance to the city.

Fanfare is a large spherical piece measuring 24 metres high that includes 360 spinning pinwheel fans covering the surface, lit by coloured lights. The Council today approved the preferred location for the sculpture on State Highway 1 on the northern outskirts of the city at Chaney’s Corner.

Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button says the sculpture will provide a dramatic welcome to people approaching Christchurch.

“This is an artwork of significant scale and is a striking way to announce to visitors they have arrived at Christchurch. It will reflect the grandeur of our region’s natural environment and, as a gateway to the city from the north, will symbolise the strength of character prevailing in the rebuild.”

The artwork was originally commissioned by the City of Sydney for the celebration of the 2005 New Year. In 2007, with the support of Dawson, Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney Clover Moore gifted it to the people of Christchurch.

Several locations in Christchurch were considered for Fanfare. Factors taken into consideration when determining suitability included sight lines, impact of sound from the fans, land availability, minimising risk of bird strike and traffic safety.

Chaney’s Corner emerged as the preferred site and is endorsed by Mr Dawson.

“I can just see it at Chaney’s Corner, rising like a moon as you drive from over the Waimakariri towards it.”

He described the sculpture as like a barometer that responds to the elements, changing depending on the weather, and time of day.

“It has the delicacy of a dandelion head that has just fallen there and is being played by the wind.”

New Zealand Transport Agency Regional Director Southern Jim Harland said, "Following consideration of the possible siting of the Fanfare artwork the Transport Agency agreed on Chaney’s Corner as the best location, as it met the promoter's objectives for the artwork without compromising the safe and efficient operation of the northern motorway approach to the City".

SCAPE Public Art will manage the production and installation of Fanfare. It has raised $730,000 of the $848,000 needed for the project, including $350,000 from the Christchurch City Council Public Art Advisory Group. A campaign to raise the remainder will be launched now the site is confirmed.

A number of sponsors have contributed to the project, including Neil Graham and Mainfreight, The Local Heroes Trust, Port of Lyttelton and Leighs Construction.

About Fanfare
It was created by Christchurch artist Neil Dawson.
Valued at $2 million, it was commissioned for the City of Sydney for the 2005 New Year celebrations.
It was suspended off Sydney Harbour Bridge for three weeks.
After it was taken down, Fanfare was gifted to Christchurch by the City of Sydney.
The sculpture is 24 metres high, 20 metres across and weighs 25 tonnes.
It includes 360 pinwheel fans 1-metre in diameter which spin in the wind.

About Neil Dawson
A Christchurch sculptor of international standing, his works are located world-wide and include: Ferns, Wellington’s Civic Square; Feather from Afar, Shanghai, China; Raindrops in Manchester, United Kingdom; and Chalice in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square.

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