No regrets over Sheeran mural
John Christie is sleeping well: The Enterprise Dunedin director said he was genuinely surprised by the reaction to the Ed Sheeran mural but he stood by the controversial decision to commission it.
The mural of the British popstar, which cost ratepayers $8350, was finished by Dunedin artist Tyler Kennedy Stent earlier this week.
It is just a short stroll from Christie’s office and every time he visits the site in Bath St, there are people taking photos and selfies in front of the Enterprise Dunedin commissioned artwork.
But there has been a lot of debate about it.
Hayley Holt, a host on television programme Breakfast, was one of the more high-profile detractors, suggesting that its creation would stop her visiting Dunedin.
But after Stent revealed he was including Holt’s name inside a love heart tattooed on one of Sheeran’s arms in the mural, Holt said she had changed her mind.
Christie said the commissioning of the artwork was not designed to generate national or international headlines
‘‘I have been surprised by how much national attention it has given for us.
‘‘It was a really strategic piece of marketing around how we engage with our community and those visiting the city.’’
Christie, who had sought permission from Sheeran’s promoter, said he thought it would be a place where locals and visitors would snap a selfie and post it on Facebook, rather than a water cooler conversation.
‘‘When you weigh up the public comment and the media attention over the weekend in particular, if I knew then what I didn’t know back then would I still have made the same decision?
‘‘I think the answer would still be yes.’’
Christie said the cost of the mural, which included resource consent, scaffolding and artist fees, was a good use of the city’s marketing dollar. ‘‘I sleep easy on it.’’ It was also giving great exposure to the artist, who earlier this week told Stuff he could understand the concern of some people.
The self-confessed Sheeran fan also revealed he hadn’t got tickets to the Dunedin concerts (Ed: if you are reading this ... ).
The street art was facilitated by the Dunedin Street Art Trust, which has commissioned more than 40 artworks adorning walls around the city’s central business district.
Sheeran arrives in New Zealand at the end of March, to embark on a six-date tour starting in Auckland.
Dunedin will host more than 60,000 visitors and 100,000 concertgoers.
To capitalise on the occasion a festival will be held over Easter.
After sold-out shows at Auckland’s Mt Smart, the British pop star is playing Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 29, 31 and April 1.
Opening acts are Six60 in Dunedin and Drax Project in Auckland.