Artists shy away from art bridge
Artists appear to be steering clear of a national design competition for a proposed ‘‘art bridge’’ over the Avon River in central Christchurch.
The competition to design a $2.5 million pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Avon River between Colombo and Manchester streets attracted 13 concept design entries.
The project is being run by Crown regeneration agency Otakaro.
Stuff understands there was only one artist at a site visit for about 30 people interested in entering the design competition.
Christchurch artist Neil Dawson, who designed the Chalice sculpture in Cathedral Square, artist Chris Booth, who has a 1997 artwork on the site of the proposed bridge, and landscape architect Di Lucas all chose not to enter the competition.
Dawson said the brief for the art bridge competition was ‘‘rather ponderous’’.
‘‘It was like 60 pages of requirements. I find that it is not conducive to creativity.
He was concerned about who would own the copyright to any design he entered for the art bridge competition.
Booth was concerned the bridge would have a ‘‘destructive impact’’ on his 1997 Taurapa sculpture on the banks of the Avon River where the bridge was planned. The brief for the competition states the sculpture should be incorporated into bridge designs.
A spokesperson for O¯ takaro said the brief was written to ‘‘ensure it is both a functional and distinctive piece of infrastructure’’. ‘‘The response to the [competition] has been strong and no concerns were raised with O¯ ta¯ karo . . . during the three months groups had to submit a concept design. Copyright is a matter that will be worked through as part of the selection process.’’
Competitors have been told a winner will be chosen by April 27. Otakaro has said the bridge could be complete by next year.