"Suggestion for blog topic (if you are ever short of an
idea!)" began one correspondent. He quite often makes
suggestions for blog topics (if I am ever short of an idea).
Rodin's The Thinker is one of the world's most famous
bronzes. Can we commission something of a similar stature
for the Forsyth Barr Stadium's plaza? Supplied photo.
Suggestions are always welcome, but also, to date, always
ignored. This week however, I am short of an idea, and have
decided to acquiesce.
The topic the chappie nominated was "that we erect statue in
the Plaza area to the driving forces behind the stadium so
future generations will not forget their foresight, vision
and leadership for the city, and can learn from their
example".
That's a capital idea. Wish I'd thought of it. The molten
bronze itself would rush to fill the creases of a mould that
delineated such fine characters.
Malcolm Farry, Peter Chin, Michael Guest, John Bezett,
Richard Walls, Stephen Cairns, Eion Edgar, that councillor
who looks like Elvis; the honour roll goes on.
You'd have enough visionary noblemen to set in alloy in
formation as a full rugby team, as indeed was suggested by my
correspondent. He even specified who would be the hooker;
some sort of sporting joke that was wasted on me . . .
He went on: "Propose website facility so that people can
donate to the fund."
That part was a bit confusing. It sounded like this chappie
was actually suggesting the money be raised to pay for the
statue before its construction began!
No, no, no, my friend. Although that formula works well for,
say, a newspaper (sponsors agree to pay for the cost of
production in exchange for a bit of advertising space, and
then we put together an edition), it has never been the way
of the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
No, I propose the bronze in the University Plaza be erected
now and its cost simply appended to the bill for the overall
project. That seems prudent, doesn't it?
Much better to get something solid in place for the community
to admire in the fastest possible time. That way, no-one can
say these are not men of action.
Of interaction, even. If the bronze in the plaza is worth its
metal, people will be able to crawl all over it, sunning
themselves in summer and chittering happily to themselves in
winter.
As with any bronze, the best bits will be polished over time
by regular human contact, thus determining lustre: Farry's
cheek, Chin's chin, Cairns' elbow.
Unless, of course, it is mounted on some sort of plinth,
placing these figures out of the reach of the ordinary
person. But that doesn't bear thinking about.
"And propose inscription," said the correspondent.
Alas, I am lost for an ode, but perhaps something simple
would be nice. Something like, "Our leaders, how brassy they
are."
Suggestions are always welcome.
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