Albert Square's Nesting Phoenix swoops on Hastings

Hastings' Nesting Phoenix installation was produced by a collective of local artists. Photo / Supplied

Hastings' Albert Square has a new resident – a towering, mythical creature created by local artists to inspire during October.

It's the latest in the series of Hastings District Council's city centre works that have popped up over the past few months bringing "free, uplifting public art to the community".

Called the Nesting Phoenix, this installation has been produced by Vesica Aotearoa in collaboration with local talent Cinzah, Fish Aberadi, Dali Susanto, Joseph Rowntree, Sophie Watkins and Ant van Dorsten.

Sustainably made from recycled materials, it symbolises the need for the Phoenix to rise again from a world ravaged by Covid-19, say its makers.

"The collective believes that our world needs to be nurtured, the world's rebirth needs to be considered and maternal."

The sculpture's first outing was at the Outfield Festival, held at Clifton Downs in February this year, but it has since been refined for a wider audience.

Made from recycled materials, the head of the 4.5m creature is made from 35-gallon drums and the neck and nest are made from recycled timber.

To further enhance the display, a lighting element has been added to the nest.

Council's city centre activations officer Andrea Taaffe said it was an exciting addition to the city to complement the Harcourts Hawke's Bay Arts Festival and Fringe in the Stings.

"This stunning sculpture is a must-see – it has an other-worldly presence that's sure to be enjoyed by young and old.

"It's fantastic to have the talents of the creators right here on our doorstep at a time when Covid-19 presents challenges to bringing national and international public art to our city."

Surrounding shop owners were positive about the statue, including Julie Phillips from Caravan, who said she loved it.

"The bird is so fascinating."

Elise Tasker from Once Upon a Time said, "I am very excited to see if the bird will do anything after dark. I think it is great, but I'd really like to know what the statue means."

Rebecca Norman from Panoply, across the road from the square said: "It was cool and interesting to watch it being put together yesterday."

However, some passersby on Thursday weren't as excited by it. Shelley Masters said: "I think it is awful. Whoever commissioned that should be ashamed."

The Nesting Phoenix will be in place until October 27.