Bronze statue built for the digital age

A traditional-style statue soon to arrive in a Hamilton street has a distinctively modern touch.

The bronze sculpture of Sapper Horace Moore-Jones will have bronze replicas of his gear hanging off the plinth - and a look through his camera will reveal a digital display.

Passers-by will also be able to hook into a website for more information about the Hamilton artist, map-maker and World War I soldier.

The 200 kilogram statue will mark the entrance to the central street named after Moore-Jones and is set to be unveiled late this month.

Sculptor and defence force artist Captain Matt Gauldie said the bronze was a major project for him, especially as he saw Moore-Jones as the ‘‘founding father’’ of Kiwi military art.

‘‘I’m so pleased that this was able to be my first bronze because it means something to me . . . It’s personal.’’

And Moore-Jones’ gear – including a 1915-model Kodak – would be symbolically hung up for the last time on the side of the plinth.

He hoped some of the images in the digital display would include scenes that Moore-Jones would have seen through the camera.

‘‘People are going to learn about him and kids can look into that camera.

‘‘And perhaps a new generation can think about what he did.’’

The minicomputer and display system’s creator said the combination of a traditional bronze statue and the multimedia aspect was new.

A small computer in the plinth of the statue will drive a display about the size of a large smartphone, AUT digital design lecturer Jan Kruse said.

‘‘The main concept behind it is to be able to engage a different group of people. Young people mostly,’’ he said.

‘‘It draws you to the statue. You actually have to bend down a little bit and look into this thing.’’

But digital devices within wifi range will also be able to connect to a website for extra information.

The Moore-Jones statue is valued at $250,000.

It is being gifted to the city by the Theatre of the Impossible Trust (Toti).

Toti member Margaret Evans said the trust was working with the library’s heritage team to put the first lot of content into the viewing lens.

‘‘There’s all sorts of possibilities for the future,’’ Evans said.

‘‘The idea is that it can keep being added to.

‘‘We can reprogramme it any time that we want.’’

The statue stands near a street named after Moore-Jones, beside the site of the Hamilton Hotel fire of 1922.

Moore-Jones died from burns suffered while rescuing people from the blaze.

The statue’s unveiling on March 27 is being organised by Toti and the One Victoria Trust.

It will include dignitaries such as the Turkish ambassador, a donkey-back parade of student artworks and a play about Moore-Jones.

libby.wilson@fairfaxmedia.co.nz