Skinny dipper causes stir
North Auckland residents are describing a new sculpture of a figure doing a handstand as ‘‘different, weird and unusual’’, with one likening it to a roast chicken.
Called Skinny Dipping, the brass sculpture handstands outside the Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa, with manager Kim Boyd saying the artwork, inspired by Spanish artist Miro, has been generating a lot of discussion.
The artist who created the work, Philipp Ripa, was happy to have pushed boundaries to get people talking: ‘‘If something is nice and pretty, no-one will talk about it.’’
Ripa said he wanted to show what reality is. ‘‘People don’t have to hide behind clothes and curtains. They can show what they really are.
‘‘I work in design and people use Photoshop to hide things and make themselves look pretty.
‘‘But you can’t Photoshop your life away,’’ Ripa said.
Out of a group of six Orewa locals, five didn’t like it and described it as ‘‘different, weird and unusual’’. However, one of the group, Abo, who didn’t want to give a surname, said he liked bold art, and found it appealing.
Helen, from Orewa, said she didn’t like it ‘‘for obvious’’ reasons and preferred a mosaic chair near it better.
Fellow Orewa resident, Sue, thought it looked like a roast chicken.
However, a fun poll on Neighbourly found, of 109 voters, 61 per cent thought it was ‘‘art’’ and only 16 per cent found it offensive, with the remainder sitting on the fence.
Corinne Kirkham from Manly commented: ‘‘It’s wonderful! Creative and humorous. Very talented artist.’’
Nikki Slocomber from Orewa liked it and thought it was ‘‘quirky’’, while Linda Clune, from Glen Innes posted: ‘‘Love it. Would love one at the driveway entrance of my home.’’
Sue Elliot from Orewa, looked at it creatively, posting: ‘‘It’s all about being flexible and somewhere to park the bicycle.’’
Martin van lersel from Stanmore Bay said: ‘‘Glad I don’t have to see that every day as it’s just weird.’’
Travellers questioned by Stuff, generally liked the work.
Travelling from west Australia, Kim said she ‘‘loved it’’. ‘‘It’s gorgeous, clever and voluptuous, and definitely my reality.’’
Marcus from Los Angeles said he liked it and found it interesting and thought-provoking.
Though some have said the statue is Buddha-like, Auckland Buddhist Centre manager Karunajoti said she didn’t think the sculpture was a Buddhist representation and if it was supposed to be, it wasn’t accurate.