Exercise

Photo from our travels through Taupo in the central north island of New Zealand - taken about 4 years ago.  These sculptures symbolizing exercise are down by the waterfront as the town is mostly flat and very popular with walkers, runners and cyclists.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Sun Court Shopping Sculpture

In Taupo is this stone platform with a round sculpture on top. I thought it was a bit weird but it was big enough to stand out so I snapped this photo. Apparently it was made to honour the shopping court in the background in 1969. The plaque says: "Sun Court Shopping Centre. Opened 10th October 1969 by J.E. Storey, mayor of Taupo and dedicated to The Happiness of all Who Enter this Court." Architects were Ewen Christie and Associates, built by E.A. Mahmood.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

The Giant Trout

In Taupo on the corner of Ferry Road and Tongariro Street near the boat marina is this giant Trout sculpture. The town is famous for it's freshwater lake in which the fish roam around. The sculpture was erected in 1999 to replace a previous trout sculpture built in 1985 for the Dawn Walker Trout Fishing Competition. 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Travel Tuesday, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Swell!

On Taupo's waterfront this sculpture named "Swell" was created local artist Colleen Ryan-Priest. The glass reflects the clear blue waters of Lake Taupo below, and sits on the side of the main road through Taupo.

The Taupo Sculpture Trust who presented the sculpture to the people of Taupo, describes the art work on their website as: 

"A technical term for a type of wind wave, which is a long-wavelength surface wave that travels long distances across a body of water like the ocean. It is a stable, clean wave free of chop and doesn’t break. The long gentle curves of the proposed stainless steel and glass sculpture reflect this type of wave."

The environmental meaning of the work looks to oceanography and in particular the natural cycle of wave and wind patterns to identify any potential impact from extreme weather events precipitated through increased global warming and climatic change.

It is intended that this work be recognised at one level as a waveform but also to make people aware of the critical importance of water in our environment and the impact if we interrupt the natural patterns.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.