More wow factor for the city

A call has gone out to Hawke’s Bay artists as Hastings District Council starts planning more large-scale interactive pieces for temporary installation in the central city – bringing vibrancy and colour to the heart of the district.

Installation dates will depend on the COVID-19 situation, with none occurring until isolation conditions have been lifted.

Over summer 2019/20, Hastings District Council’s city activation team organised five large-scale interactive installations in the city,  Shrooms, UV Spaghetti, Trumpet Flowers, Hybocozo and Trilogy.

“They were hugely popular with thousands turning out over the summer evenings to make the most of them,” said Council’s city centre activation officer Andrea Taffe.

“Depending on when the current isolation rules are lifted and as we get towards warmer weather, we will be putting in more pieces designed to draw our residents into the city.

“While we will tap into installations that are touring the country, we do want invite local artists who would like the opportunity to work up large-scale projects with real wow factor to be part of the programme.”

Information has gone out through a range of channels, with recipients encouraged to share the information with others who might be interested.

Proposals need to be submitted on-line. “Given the complexity of installing large interactive art pieces into public spaces, the proposals do require a lot of detail, especially around health and safety, security and insurances. We are imagining that people with different skill sets might collaborate on a project to enable all issues to be covered off.”

The large-scale installation project is part of the Hastings District Council’s city centre activation initiative, a key component of the Hastings City Centre Revitalisation Plan (adopted 2019), which identifies projects to be completed over the next five years, They are aimed at:

• Reinforcing the City Centre as a key destination
• Recognising and celebrating character, history and culture
• Improving accessibility and connectivity
• Creating vibrant and distinctive places that attract people
• Creating functional and usable spaces
• Creating stronger first impressions of the city centre.

The activation plan includes a number of stands and further opportunities will be communicated to the arts community as it progresses:

• Street art
• Interactive public art
• Lighting projects
• Street games
• Performance

Hastings District Council’s city centre activation initiative is aligned with Toi Tū Hawke’s Bay; a strategic framework supporting the region’s creatives and creativity.

For more information, email andreat@hdc.govt.nz.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 28 MAY 2020

You can lodge completed proposals here:

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