Latest news with #TaupōSculptureTrust
1News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
Jurassic-sized fuss over Taupō's new dinosaur sculpture
A nearly 10m-tall dinosaur sculpture sitting atop a large geometric rock is the latest attraction in Taupō, but not without controversy. The Taupō District Council contributed a one-off $100,000 grant towards the sculpture, which was made by the Taupō Sculpture Trust. But the grant has angered some residents, who are facing a rates increase of more than 8%. Taupō Mayor David Trewavas told Morning Report artwork always has the capacity to cause controversy. "We had sort of a dozen well-meaning artists and business people [who] came to us probably 15 years ago to say, 'Hey, let's put a bit of colour into the town, but we'll go away and raise half the money, and would you guys contribute?'" Trewavas acknowledged locals were facing a large rates rise, but the Taupō District Council committed to the project a number of years ago, and he hoped it would bring more people into town. Trewavas said he had already heard of people keen to visit Taupō to see the new sculpture. "A family has just rung from Masterton telling me they are coming up this weekend to have a look at it." Taupō had a reputation as a place that holds sporting events, with the Ironman and Supercars, and Trewavas said it was time to support the arts community too. "The poor old arts community, they haven't had much over the years to be fair, and this is our way of demonstrating to them that we support those guys as well. We are all about community partnerships and people getting involved." And as for the sculpture itself, Trewavas said it had "grown on him", and he shared the reasoning behind a dinosaur. "[Dinosaurs] used to roam around here. They were in the Mohaka River out on the Napier-Taupō Road." But ultimately, it was the artists who selected what to install in the town. "If there's one thing for sure, I'm not going to get the councillors to select the artwork."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jurassic snark: New Zealand dinosaur sculpture fuels debate
Some have called it an "eyesaur". Many more have described it as "fabulous". But one word Boom Boom, a seven-metre tall stainless steel dinosaur sculpture in New Zealand, could never be associated with is "boring". Just days after the sauropod statue was installed in Taupō Sculpture Park, in the scenic centre of New Zealand's North Island, Boom Boom has already prompted heated debate among locals. The artist - and the team that commissioned it - say that's exactly the point. The mirror-finish sculpture was commissioned by the Taupō Sculpture Trust and created by Slovenian-born artist Gregor Kregar. Kregar said that he wasn't "particularly surprised" by the furore that quickly surrounded his work. "Sculpture sometimes stops people from their everyday interactions with the world," he told the BBC from his home in Auckland. "It's really hard to hate a sculpture of a dinosaur." Still, public opinion on Boom Boom is split. "Fantastic! Getting people talking about art. Broadening the conversation," said one commenter on a social media post announcing Boom Boom's arrival. But another wrote: "Public investment of $100,000 from the local ratepayers, many of who would have rather seen the money spent elsewhere in the community." Funding for Boom Boom was finalised in 2018, before recent hikes in Taupō District Council's rate which is similar to a council tax. After several years of negotiations, the work was completed and installed in the park last week. Others still criticised the work as having no connection with Taupō, named New Zealand's most beautiful town in the 2023 Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards. But Kregar said the rock that the dinosaur stands on is inspired by the volcanic history of the area. Lake Taupō, from which the town takes its name, is a large caldera, a volcano that has collapsed in on itself. It last erupted around 1,800 years ago. Sauropods, the inspiration for Boom Boom, are one of a few species of dinosaurs that paleontologists say lived in New Zealand. They became extinct 66 million years ago, along with most other non-avian dinosaurs. Kregar says the spirited debate around the sculpture means Boom Boom could eventually win round "the haters". "You put the sculpture out there, there is reaction, people start falling in love with it, and then it becomes something that they start embracing, part of the local identity," he said. Kim Gillies, secretary of the Taupō Sculpture Trust, told the BBC that the decision to commission Boom Boom was not taken "lightly", but that it was chosen because "it would help put Taupō on the map". Gillies added that when it comes to the art, "safe is a bit boring, right?" No bones about it.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Taupō: New Zealand dinosaur sculpture Boom Boom fuels debate
Some have called it an "eyesaur". Many more have described it as "fabulous".But one word Boom Boom, a seven-metre tall stainless steel dinosaur sculpture in New Zealand, could never be associated with is "boring".Just days after the sauropod statue was installed in Taupō Sculpture Park, in the scenic centre of New Zealand's North Island, Boom Boom has already prompted heated debate among artist - and the team that commissioned it - say that's exactly the point. The mirror-finish sculpture was commissioned by the Taupō Sculpture Trust and created by Slovenian-born artist Gregor said that he wasn't "particularly surprised" by the furore that quickly surrounded his work."Sculpture sometimes stops people from their everyday interactions with the world," he told the BBC from his home in Auckland. "It's really hard to hate a sculpture of a dinosaur."Still, public opinion on Boom Boom is split."Fantastic! Getting people talking about art. Broadening the conversation," said one commenter on a social media post announcing Boom Boom's another wrote: "Public investment of $100,000 from the local ratepayers, many of who would have rather seen the money spent elsewhere in the community."Funding for Boom Boom was finalised in 2018, before recent hikes in Taupō District Council's rate which is similar to a council several years of negotiations, the work was completed and installed in the park last still criticised the work as having no connection with Taupō, named New Zealand's most beautiful town in the 2023 Keep New Zealand Beautiful Kregar said the rock that the dinosaur stands on is inspired by the volcanic history of the area. Lake Taupō, from which the town takes its name, is a large caldera, a volcano that has collapsed in on itself. It last erupted around 1,800 years the inspiration for Boom Boom, are one of a few species of dinosaurs that paleontologists say lived in New Zealand. They became extinct 66 million years ago, along with most other non-avian says the spirited debate around the sculpture means Boom Boom could eventually win round "the haters"."You put the sculpture out there, there is reaction, people start falling in love with it, and then it becomes something that they start embracing, part of the local identity," he Gillies, secretary of the Taupō Sculpture Trust, told the BBC that the decision to commission Boom Boom was not taken "lightly", but that it was chosen because "it would help put Taupō on the map".Gillies added that when it comes to the art, "safe is a bit boring, right?"No bones about it.
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Jurassic-sized fuss over Taupō's new dinosaur sculpture
Artist Gregor Kregar says the large rock in his sculpture relates to the giant boulders ejected by the volcanic force of Taupō's historic eruptions. The mirror-polished stainless steel Sauropod dinosaur is based on an inflatable toy and represents the town's playful 'holiday destination' aspect. Photo: Destination Great Lake Taupō / A nearly 10m-tall dinosaur sculpture sitting atop a large geometric rock is the latest attraction in Taupō, but not without controversy. The Taupō District Council contributed a one-off $100,000 grant towards the sculpture, which was made by the Taupō Sculpture Trust. But the grant has angered some residents, who are facing a rates increase of more than 8 percent. Taupō Mayor David Trewavas told Morning Report artwork always has the capacity to cause controversy. "We had sort of a dozen well-meaning artists and business people [who] came to us probably 15 years ago to say, 'Hey, let's put a bit of colour into the town, but we'll go away and raise half the money, and would you guys contribute?'" Trewavas acknowledged locals were facing a large rates rise, but the Taupō District Council committed to the project a number of years ago, and he hoped it would bring more people into town. Trewavas said he had already heard of people keen to visit Taupō to see the new sculpture. "A family has just rung from Masterton telling me they are coming up this weekend to have a look at it." Taupō had a reputation as a place that holds sporting events, with the Ironman and Supercars, and Trewavas said it was time to support the arts community too. "The poor old arts community, they haven't had much over the years to be fair, and this is our way of demonstrating to them that we support those guys as well. We are all about community partnerships and people getting involved." And as for the sculpture itself, Trewavas said it had "grown on him", and he shared the reasoning behind a dinosaur. "[Dinosaurs] used to roam around here. They were in the Mohaka River out on the Napier-Taupō Road." But ultimately, it was the artists who selected what to install in the town. "If there's one thing for sure, I'm not going to get the councillors to select the artwork." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Taupō dinosaur sculpture Boom Boom creates a stir at Riverside Park
A lot were critical of the sculpture with people questioning the dinosaur's connection to Taupō and saying it was a 'waste of ratepayer money'. Amanda Maclaren described it as an 'Eyesaur', with Wendy Johnson commenting it looked 'tacky ... and ridiculous'. Maxine Hay commented: 'Good god!! And how much did THAT MONSTROSITY COST', while Lynette Clunie said it looked like 'a cheap foil party balloon' for kids. However, other people disagreed, saying it was 'cool'. Thea Davies commented: 'Love it, brought a smile to my face when I saw it earlier - can't wait to see what else gets added to the trail'. Kimberley Gillies agreed. 'He is fabulous! Well done Taupō Sculpture Trust.' Boom Boom was created by Auckland-based artist Gregor Kregar and is the 13th artwork of Taupō's sculpture trail, which starts on the lakefront near Rifle Range Rd, continues through the town and culminates at Riverside Park. The park will be transformed into a dedicated sculpture park to revive the space, with Boom Boom being the first of 21 artworks Taupō Sculpture Trust hopes to add to the park over the next decade. In Kregar's concept art document, he explained the inspiration behind the piece was Taupō's environment. 'Taupō is an extremely important geological site and has produced two of the world's largest eruptions. 'My work makes reference to this history and how it has shaped and influenced the area.' The rock base would echo 'the giant boulders that would have been ejected by the volcanic force of the Taupō eruptions ', while the Sauropod dinosaur would resonate 'with the pre-historic history of the location'. Kregar also said the style of the dinosaur was inspired by an inflatable toy to represent the town's standing as a 'playful holiday destination'. As part of the 2018-28 long-term plan, Taupō District Council agreed to give the trust a one-off grant of $100,000 towards a 'destination sculpture' provided the trust could raise the same amount. Talking to the Waikato Herald this week, Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said the arts community had waited a long time for support and deserved the grant. 'We are quick to support lots of sporting events, like the Ironman and Supercars, and no one says a thing ... Why can't the arts community have a go.' Trewavas wouldn't comment on what he thought of Boom Boom. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... It's certainly a bit out there, but art is meant to spark conversations. [Boom Boom] certainly does that.' Councillor John Williamson, who holds the council's Arts and Culture portfolio, agreed. '[The sculpture] created a lot of interest ... I personally have no objection to it.' Williamson said he didn't believe the sculpture was a waste of money and believed it would be a 'great asset' to the town. The sculpture park project was granted resource consent from the council in November 2023. The trust wanted to revive the park which they believed was 'under-utilised', apart from being 'phenomenally successful for events like the Summer Concert'. Within the next year, the trust expects to add two further sculptures. All sculptures are selected by the trust.
