Million dollar Hundertwasser art plan back on agenda for Whangarei's Town Basin

ECONOMIC BOOST? The Hundertwasser model. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

An art gallery to honour world acclaimed Austrian artist Frederich Hundertwasser is still on the cards for Whangarei's Town Basin - but a model of the planned building is being kept under wraps, for now.

Whangarei District Council has received a model for the museum - to be constructed in, on and around the old Northern Regional Council Building - but it's keeping details under cover.

The council is carrying out an economic impact assessment and a quantity surveyor is assessing how much it will cost to construct should it gain approval.

In the early 1990s, internationally-renowned artist Hundertwasser offered to turn the old NRC building at the Town Basin into an organic art gallery using his unique designs.

But the then WDC turned down Hundertwasser's offer and he went on to produce a multi-coloured toilet block for Kawakawa which now attracts tourists from throughout the world.
The Whangarei plan was rehatched by then mayor Stan Semenoff in 2008 when he announced plans for a $9.5 million Hundertwasser museum at the site.

But despite saying at the time the centre could be open within 18 months, the council has been largely quiet on the museum plans since.

Last month the council received the model, which was created in Vienna from the plans drawn up for the NRC building based on the sketches Hundertwasser made of the building in 1993, WDC chief executive Mark Simpson said.

Mr Simpson said the Hundertwasser Foundation, in Vienna, supported the design, prepared by Heinz Springmann, who worked extensively with Hundertwasser.

The foundation said architect Springmann was vital to the success and exemplary effectiveness of all Hundertwasser's architecture, while the artist admired his skill and knowledge.

"The model is of the design by Heinz Springmann based on Hundertwasser's own sketches," Mr Simpson said.
He said the model would be displayed at some stage, to raise awareness of the project, and would eventually be displayed within the Hundertwasser centre, if it goes ahead.
The project had yet to go to the full council so issues about securing funding were premature, Mr Simpson said.
In 2008 Mr Simpson said none of the money for the centre would come from ratepayers, and funding would be sought from the Government and other sources, such as community trusts and the Lotteries Board.
When asked what input the wider Whangarei/Northland art community has had into the project, Mr Simpson said this week it had not gone out for any consultation at this stage.
Artist Joanne Hardy, who was chairwoman of the original Hundertwasser Art Gallery Trust while the artist was still alive, said if there was only so much public funding to spare she would prefer it went toward an art museum for the notable Whangarei collection.
"From what I understand the current idea is just for a Hundertwasser museum. We need a functioning space that is more than a tribute to one artist," Ms Hardy said.