News Release 19 June 2014
Page 1 of 12 Final Funds Needed For Spectacular City Sculpture
The SCAPE Public Art Trust of Christchurch has launched a funding initiative to meet the final cost of installing a spectacular Neil Dawson sculpture, Fanfare, at the city’s gateway beside the northern motorway by the end of the year. Fanfare will be New Zealand’s largest public artwork, 24 metres high and weighing 25 tonnes, and featuring 360 wind-powered pinwheels able to be lit up on festive occasions. SCAPE Public Art Director, Deborah McCormick, said all but $360,000 of the $3.3 million needed to install the sculpture has already been raised and the latest initiative is intended to cover the final portion. “People and businesses can join our Fan Club and contribute set amounts from $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000, with a range of benefits and privileges, or donate any amount they wish. Supporters will have a share in an iconic sculptural legacy for the city and make a unique contribution to our changing future landscape.” Deborah McCormick said. Fanfare was made by Christchurch sculptor Neil Dawson for the City of Sydney to celebrate New Year in 2005 and was displayed hanging from the city’s harbour bridge. It was later gifted by the City of Sydney to the Christchurch City Council, which partnered with SCAPE Public Art to re-assemble the sculpture and raise funds to pay for its new installation. The sculptor has produced other large-scale sculptures, including Chalice in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, Ferns in Civic Square, Wellington and Feather from Afar in the International Finance Centre, Pudong, Shanghai. Neil Dawson said he was delighted that Fanfare has returned to feature prominently in his home city. It will be erected on a prominent site at Chaney’s Corner on the northern edge of Christchurch, creating a welcoming and impressive entrance to the city. For more details on the project and how to donate to the Fanfare installation, visit http://scapebiennial.org.nz/FanClub
News Release 19 June 2014
Page 2 of 12 Questions & Answers What is SCAPE Public Art? SCAPE Public Art installs free-to-view large scale contemporary public art in Christchurch. It has done this for 16 years and is the most prolific producer of new contemporary works of public art in New Zealand. What is Fanfare? Fanfare is a huge public sculpture, 20 metres in diameter and 24 metres high with 360 wind-powered “pinwheels” over its surface, each able to be lit for night display. It will be New Zealand’s largest public sculpture and elevate Canterbury to the global arts stage in recognition of a unique and spectacular piece of public sculpture. What is SCAPE Public Art’s role in Fanfare? SCAPE Public Art is working with sculptor Neil Dawson and the Christchurch City Council to make the installation a success, including site selection, approvals, sponsorship and fundraising, production of a book, marketing, publicity, community engagement and project management. The council has donated $350,000 towards the $3.3 million total cost of installation. What is the Fanfare Fan Club, Heroes, Stars, Fans? The Fan Club is an opportunity to support Fanfare and become a Hero Club Member at $5,000, a Star Club Member at $3,000 or a Fan Club Member at $1,000. Each member level has unique benefits including acknowledgement on site signage, invitations to special events, and other incentives. How do I support Fanfare and join the Fan Club? You can visit the Fanfare page of the SCAPE Public Art website for details on how to become a Fan Club Member and donate via PayPal, Internet Banking or Credit Card, or post a donation. Please note that you do not have to become a Fan Club Member to support Fanfare and SCAPE Public Art will accept donations of any size. Go to: http://scapebiennial.org.nz/FanClub or www.fanfare.co.nz For media comment and high-resolution imagery please contact: Deborah McCormick, Director, SCAPE Public Art Tel: +64 (0)3 365 7990 Mobile: +64 (0)27 280 9557 Email: [email protected]
News Release 19 June 2014
Page 3 of 12 Fanfare – A Visionary First for Christchurch
Fanfare, a visionary and extraordinary sculpture that is 20 metres in diameter, weighs 25 tonnes, and is 24 metres high by Christchurch-born sculptor Neil Dawson will soon welcome everyone to Christchurch once it is installed at Chaney’s Corner beside the Northern Motorway. Once installed, Fanfare will be New Zealand’s largest sculpture on public display. Fanfare has 360 separate wind-powered “pinwheels” covering the surface of the structure. Each of the 1 metre wide pinwheels spins freely in the wind, and the sculpture will be lit up in response to special occasions throughout the Christchurch and Canterbury calendar.
Last night, SCAPE Public Art launched the Fan Club fundraising campaign to raise the remaining $360,000 in the next 3 months to install Fanfare. This fundraising campaign is the final step towards the installation of Fanfare. The total asset cost of the sculpture is $3.3 million, and SCAPE Public Art has successfully secured 89% of this amount. With only 11% to go, SCAPE Public Art is so close to being able to install Fanfare, which makes this fundraising campaign absolutely crucial in order to install Fanfare by the end of 2014.
Fanfare was kindly gifted to the Christchurch City Council by the City of Sydney in 2007. Fanfare was originally commissioned to play a spectacular part in Sydney’s 2005 New Year Celebrations, and was lit up after being suspended from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. At this time when Christchurch has lost many of its landmarks, Fanfare promises to play an important role in creating a new and dynamic entranceway to the city, and will elevate Christchurch and Canterbury onto the global art stage.
Deborah McCormick, Director of SCAPE Public Art, the producers of Fanfare, says, “To visualize the journey of Fanfare and now arrive at this pivotal time is an enormous vote of confidence for our work, reputation and the commitment by so many extraordinary
News Release 19 June 2014
Page 4 of 12 people to make this a reality. Fanfare's uplifting soaring presence will help shape and inspire a deep purposeful bond and strong integration of the Canterbury Community and the Arts”.
Christchurch Mayor, Lianne Dalziel, says she is pleased the gift from the City of Sydney now has a home. “It will make a real statement about Christchurch located at the entranceway to the City. It is a sculpture that speaks to the future,” says the Mayor.
Neil Dawson, the sculptor of Fanfare, is delighted that Fanfare is to be installed in his home town of Christchurch in a prominent site. “The installation of Fanfare at Chaney's Corner will be the culmination of a ten year Trans-Tasman project. The sculpture began as a celebration for a New Year in Sydney. It will now have a permanent home celebrating the re-birth of Christchurch” Dawson says. Neil Dawson is a world renowned sculptor that has produced a range of impressive large scale sculptures, including Chalice in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, Ferns in Civic Square, Wellington and Feather from Afar in the International Finance Centre, Pudong, Shanghai, China. Neil was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004.
The Fan Club is an opportunity for local and international people and businesses to invest in an iconic sculptural legacy for our community and to be part of the changing future landscape. People can support Fanfare by joining the Fan Club, and become a “Hero” Club Member at $5,000, a “Star” Club Member at $3,000 or a “Fan” Club Member for $1,000. Each membership level has unique benefits, such as acknowledgement on the site signage, invitations to the special Fanfare opening event and a Fanfare brooch, to name a few. However, you do not have to join the Fan Club to be a fan of Fanfare, and SCAPE Public Art would greatly appreciate donations of any size.
To find out more information or to learn how to donate towards the installation of Fanfare, please visit http://scapebiennial.org.nz/FanClub. You can donate online
News Release 19 June 2014
Page 5 of 12 through Internet banking, credit card or via PayPal or you can send your donation to SCAPE Public Art Trust, P0 Box 763, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
Keep updated of progress of the campaign via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SCAPEPublicArt and our Twitter page https://twitter.com/SCAPE_NZ.
With generous support from:
Fanfare Platinum Sponsors:
LOCAL HEROES TRUST
Major Sponsors:
Fanfare Fan Club Campaign Supporters:
Christchurch Casino, Pam Lindsay and PR South, Bryan Andrews of Bryan Andrews Auctioneer, More FM, The Auckland Art Gallery, Dame Jenny Gibbs, The Farm, The Sugar Club, Partridge Jewellers and Blue Print.
ENDS
News Release 19 June 2014
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For media comment and high-resolution imagery please contact:
Deborah McCormick, Director, SCAPE Public Art
Tel: +64 (0)3 365 7990
Mobile: +64 (0)27 280 9557
Email: [email protected]
To organise a payment or donation or if you have further questions about donating please contact:
Anna Colthart, Financial and Fundraising Controller, SCAPE Public Art
Tel: +64 (0)3 365 7995
Email: [email protected]
News Release 19 June 2014
Page 7 of 12 Fanfare Questions and Answers
What is SCAPE Public Art?
SCAPE Public Art installs free-to-view large scale contemporary public art in Christchurch City.
SCAPE Public Art has been installing public works of art and sculptures for 16 years and is the most prolific producer of new contemporary works of public art in New Zealand
SCAPE Public Art is the Christchurch expert in the installation of public art
What is Fanfare?
Fanfare is a bold, contemporary, public sculpture which is 20 metres in diameter, 24 metres high, weighs 25 tonnes and has 360 separate one metre diameter wind-powered “pinwheels” covering the surface of the structure.
The sculpture has been kindly gifted to the Christchurch City Council by the City of Sydney and will be installed by SCAPE Public Art Trust at Chaney’s Corner on the northern motorway entrance to the city. The work was originally suspended from Sydney Harbour Bridge for the City of Sydney’s 2005 New Year Celebration.
All of the “pinwheels” spin freely in the wind and will be lit in response to special occasions in the Christchurch calendar.
At this time when Christchurch has lost many of its landmarks, Fanfare promises to play an important role in creating a new and dynamic entranceway to the city, and will add a vibrant new identity to the Christchurch cityscape.
News Release 19 June 2014
Page 8 of 12
Fanfare is a bold contemporary large-scale sculpture with 360 rotating fans that will become Canterbury’s iconic visual connection to Christchurch city. It has been created by internationally renowned Christchurch sculptor, Neil Dawson and will be installed on State Highway 1 at Chaney’s Corner.
Fanfare will be New Zealand’s largest work of public sculpture and its installation will elevate Canterbury onto the global arts stage in recognition of this extraordinary and visionary sculpture.
What is SCAPE Public Art’s role in Fanfare?
SCAPE Public Art’s role is the producer working with the sculptor Neil Dawson and the Christchurch City Council drawing together all the threads, to make the work happen including site-selection, approvals, sponsorship & fundraising, production of a book, marketing, publicity, community engagement and project management.
What is the history of Fanfare?
Fanfare has had an interesting life. Originally commissioned by the City of Sydney for the celebration of the 2005 New Year, it was raised from a barge at midnight and suspended from Sydney Harbour Bridge for a period of three weeks.
In 2007, with the support of Dawson, the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Clover Moore, gifted it to the people of Christchurch. SCAPE Public Art was approached by the Christchurch City Council to produce Fanfare for Christchurch later that year.
News Release 19 June 2014
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How do I support Fanfare and join the Fan Club?
You can visit the Fanfare page of the SCAPE Public Art website to donate either via PayPal, by Internet Banking or by Credit Card. Alternatively, you can find instructions there for how to post your donation to SCAPE Public Art. www.fanfare.co.nz or www.scapebiennial.org.nz/FanClub
What is the Fanfare Fan Club, Heroes, Stars, Fans?
The Fan Club is your opportunity to invest in an iconic sculptural legacy for our community and be part of the changing future landscape. Support this exciting and innovative project by joining the Fan Club and become a Hero Club Member at $5,000 or a Star Club Member at $3,000 or a Fan Club Member at $1,000. Each member level has unique benefits which include:
- Acknowledgement on site signage - Invitations to the special Fanfare opening - Acknowledgement within your own artist signed copy of the Fanfare publication - Plus a Fanfare brooch.
Can I donate if I do not want to contribute a minimum of $1,000?
Yes, definitely! There is an option to pay via PayPal on the Fanfare page of the SCAPE Public Art Website. Donations of any size are welcome. We greatly appreciate all donations, large or small, as every dollar donated gets us closer to being able to install Fanfare!
News Release 19 June 2014
Page 10 of 12
Who is Neil Dawson?
Neil Dawson is a Christchurch-born sculptor who has produced many public sculptures throughout New Zealand, Asia, Australia and the UK.
Some of Neil's sculptures include Chalice in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, Ferns in Civic Square, Wellington and Feather from Afar in the International Finance Centre, Pudong, Shanghai, China. Neil was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004.
Neil Dawson says “Fanfare is a work that was designed as a celebration and a greeting to the city of Sydney. I am delighted that Fanfare will be installed in my home town and will now find a prominent site. After six years of looking for a perfect site for this sculpture, the Chaney’s Corner site on the Northern Motorway is my favoured location. My aim is that Fanfare will become a celebration and an icon of the dynamic, cultural city that we are building."
Visit www.neildawson.co.nz for more information on Neil Dawson and his artworks.
Is it not important for tax payer money to be spent on rebuilding essential parts of Christchurch?
SCAPE Public Art recognises the need for tax payer money to be spent on rebuilding the essential parts of Christchurch and fully supports this. The Christchurch City Council was gifted Fanfare in 2007 and have asked SCAPE Public Art to take care of producing and installing this artwork in Christchurch. The Christchurch City Council made a generous contribution of $350,000 towards the installation of Fanfare, but this is a small percentage of the $3.3m total asset cost. The majority of funding has been provided by local businesses and individuals, for which SCAPE Public Art is incredibly grateful. We know we have a low maintenance structure that will last a long time.
News Release 19 June 2014
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Has SCAPE Public Art considered the social and environmental impacts of installing Fanfare?
Yes, several locations in Christchurch were considered for Fanfare before the final site at Chaney’s Corner was chosen. Numerous social and environmental factors were taken into consideration when determining this site as suitable, including sight lines, impact upon drivers, the sound from the fans, long-term land availability, minimising risk of bird strike and traffic safety, to name a few.
The New Zealand Transport Agency and the Christchurch City Council agreed that Chaney’s Corner is the best location for Fanfare to be installed as it will achieve the objectives set out for the sculpture and will not compromise the safe and efficient operation of the Northern Motorway approach to the city.
What are the engineering requirements of installing Fanfare in Christchurch?
Fanfare has undergone rigorous engineering testing to upgrade it to ensure the safety of the sculpture and those viewing it, including the development of an innovative braking system to slow the fans during high-speed winds. Engineers are developing road engineering schemes to ensure that people can safely access Fanfare, both in a vehicle and on foot.
Why is Chaney’s Corner on the Northern Motorway the best site for Fanfare?
As Neil Dawson, the sculptor of Fanfare, says “The Chaney’s Corner site is so good because it’s set in a landscape. Because of its size, the sculpture is not something you can put in the middle of a roundabout. It will be experienced by thousands of people every day because of this position at the Christchurch end of the Waimakariri Bridge.”
News Release 19 June 2014
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Neil Dawson also believes that the best vantage point to view Fanfare is from 50 metres away, making this site ideal for viewing. To add to this, Fanfare on its State Highway 1 site at Chaney’s Corner will have an average of 49,500 motorists a day passing by the sculpture.