DCC spends $45,000 on tooth sculptures

Sculpture comprising six large wisdom teeth constructed from concrete and Oamaru stone and paid for by the Dunedin City Council will soon grace Dunedin's harbourside.

The sculpture by Wellington artist Regan Gentry, titled Harbour Mouth Molars, will be about the size of an upended Mini car and be arranged in two rows on the edge of the foreshore.

It is due to arrive in April and will stand on the Kitchener St Reserve, at the head of the harbour.

Council community arts adviser Cara Paterson said the work was selected by an art in public places committee, made up of representatives from Dunedin's art community, after artists submitted expressions of interest.

"It is our intention to increase the opportunities for public art projects to enliven our city."

The project had a budget of $45,000 and was funded through the council's art in public places budget of $50,000 per year.

Previously, it had been used for Kuri/Dog, by Stephen Mulqueen, which was installed in Magnet St, Dunedin, in 2008.

Committee member Aaron Kreisler, a Dunedin Public Art Gallery curator, said Mr Gentry had taken an interest in reactivating this location "in the most playful way, through word association and geographical location, also creating a grand sculptural statement, through scale and use of materials, and reference to Dunedin's history through the medical and dental schools".

Mr Gentry created Flour Power, a steel representation of a sheaf of wheat which stands at the intersection of Colombo and High Sts, in Christchurch.

His Green Islands, native tree lookalikes made from fencing wire, are sited at the Botanic Gardens in Wellington.

- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement