Paremuka Bridge Arts Project - BACKGROUND

Media release
4 April 2005

Paremuka Bridge Arts Project
BACKGROUND

The bridge to link Munroe Road and Summerland Drive to Henderson Valley and Ranui/Swanson, will be the first road-bridge undertaken by Waitakere City Council in line with the Council’s Arts/Design policy.

The City Development Committee requested an arts intervention for this project to enhance the bridge and complement the art features in the Paremuka Reserve.

Road and Transport Assets in conjunction with Public Affairs/ Arts has contracted Italian-born sculptor Chiara Corbelletto as the artist. The choice of this artist was made on the basis of work submitted for the SH16/18 arts project, which demonstrated a wide understanding of materials and structural form.

The selected arts intervention is currently undergoing the detailed design stage, where the artist is researching methods of making and installing the work on to the bridge, so that it meets all the statuary requirements for a traffic bridge.

Chiara Corbelletto has been working through the developed design stage of the project. She has focused on the technical issues of constructing and finishing the artwork.

The artist has looked at a variety of options for the treatment and finishing of the surfaces of the work. Some interesting options have been explored for applying colour to the work. These technologies are high performance engineering coatings designed to withstand extremes of temperature, weather and U.V. exposure.

“This project furthers Waitakere City Council’s commitment to the Arts and the Arts/Design process,” says Arts and Events Special Committee Chair Councillor Judy Lawley.

“It enhances the Paremuka Reserve area as an arts destination (in conjunction with the Eel-man and Wai-Manu sculptures) and will become an essential stop on the proposed coast-to-coast walkway. It continues the programme of arts bridges that are proving to be a real attraction for local people and visitors to the city,” says Councillor Lawley.

- Paremuka - The name Paremuka means literally to scrape flax. This presumably came about because a certain type of harakeke (flax) was harvested along the banks of the stream and prepared to make muka, a fine thread used in traditional clothing and taonga.

The Paremuka concept applies the theme of flax weaving to the bridge. The patterns will run the entire length of the bridge, replacing a barrier railing, and connect with entry statements at either end. Lights will incorporate the same motif but will be distinguished at night by the negative form within the motif units.

ENDS

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