May 17, 2008...11:47 am
Hanging over the harbour, Rusty’s back! May he rust in solace
Rusty is back! Rusty is the affectionate name we gave the larger than life Max Patté iron sculpture of a naked man with arms outstretched leaning into the harbour on the Wellington waterfront behind Te Papa. He was installed in February, but did not last there long because vandals pushed him two-thirds off his little pedestal and he had to be removed for repair.
Some time in the last week, Rusty has been returned in all his glory. It is so delightful watching schoolkids lean out precariously over the water to see if he indeed has all his glory.
Officially known as Solace in the Wind, Rusty was accepted by Wellington City Council’s Public Art Panel as a loan for one year.
Max, the senior sculptor at Weta Workshop, says he fell for Wellington’s waterfront a few years ago, when he turned to it for a place of contemplation and solace during a time of loss and grief.
“This city and its elements have been the inspiration for this work,” he said in February before Rusty was first installed. “The location where the sculpture will reside on Wellington’s waterfront is significant for me. It represents a time and place where I have felt so much. Wellington is truly a unique place to live.”
And Wellington’s magnificent waterfront is truly a magical place, a taonga. While walking along it towards Rusty last night, we came across the plaque on the Frank Kitts Park wall commemorating the New Zealand sailors who took part in the Arctic Convoy supplying Russia in World War II. There were fresh flowers under it, from the chief of the New Zealand navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson himself, no less.
Only in Wellington.
May Rusty rust in solace for the rest of his term, unvandalised.
23 Comments
May 17, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Reports of this blog’s demise &c ?
May 17, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Oh well, reports of my death, and all that…
May 17, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Good to see you back.
May 17, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I have a soft spot for Rusty too. Nice to see you back
May 17, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I was a bit confused yesterday but glad to see all is up and running.
May 17, 2008 at 3:21 pm
You’re supposed to wait three days before pulling this sort of stunt, mate….just don’t try walking on the harbour. Bit chilly.
May 17, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Rusty, whatever. It’s you we’re pleased to see again!
May 17, 2008 at 5:13 pm
what the! and here’s me just about to start a war with the right wing blogsphere.
“dear cameron slater,
you are an idiot.
regards,
che.
ps. honestly, you really are an idiot.”
May 17, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Aw, Poneke, you’re wonderful.
May 17, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Watch out Che, you’ll be photoshopped on to something nasty if you’re not careful.
Back on topic; the problem with Rusty is that he’s difficult to get a front on photo of.
May 17, 2008 at 5:45 pm
It was the advice to read poetry right, am I right…LOL.
May 17, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Ah the relief that you’re back, not than I’m addicted but mornings wouldn’t have been the same without a fix of Poneke.
May 17, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Good boy.
Now that’s blogocracy. We campaigned and all brought Poneke back.
If only getting rid of Dear Leader was as easy!!
May 17, 2008 at 7:53 pm
“Dear Leader”? Do you mean DPF?
May 17, 2008 at 8:38 pm
for kate yes, for a pesky leftie like you my dearest deborah, it’s mr brown.
May 17, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Change of mind
Fantastic
As I have said before don’t let those pricks grind you down
May 17, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Whew! Close one……
May 17, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Yipee!
I clicked on this site, in a numbed fashion (O well, it’ll be just the WordPress bar) and - waua! Everything go again!
Long may this site and all who sail/avail/derail-detail/escale & above all email themselves to it-
prevail
(which isnotinanywaycontestingponekestotalrightoverhisownbloginanyfashiontodowhateverhewantstowithit
thank you!
May 18, 2008 at 12:22 am
Meh. I like going my own way.
But I’m very glad to see Poneke in action again. If I had to ply a paddle in someone else’s waka, I would choose this one. As it is, I’m happy with a flanking action.
May 18, 2008 at 12:38 am
Che: as an Idiot, I’d prefer not to have my name applied to the sewer-dwellers. It’s rather insulting.
(And I’m also pleased to see this blog back).
May 18, 2008 at 9:25 am
I’m glad you’re back Poneke! A great decision….
Not everything revolves around politics, and I read your pieces with delight and I always learn something. Thank you.
May 18, 2008 at 2:36 pm
A lovely little allegorical tale, I thought.
It’s good to have you back, Poneke.
May 18, 2008 at 5:50 pm
woohoo! Great to see you back!
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