26 March 2014

Pink and White Terraces mural to adorn inner city street corner

A large mural is being painted in the central city as part of Rotorua’s Inner City Revitalisation programme.

Artists Jacob Chrisohoou and Jonny4higher are spray painting their aerosol artwork directly on to the walls of a prominent blue two-storey building on the corner of Tutanekai and Pukuatua streets, while passers-by enjoy the watching the mural unfold.

The finished artwork will depict Rotorua’s historic Pink and White Terraces, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world until its dramatic destruction in the 1886 Tarawera eruption.

Rotorua’s Inner City Focus Group chairman, Mike Steiner, said his group was very excited that the project was underway.

“This has been a few months in the planning, but the Pink and White Terraces mural will no doubt become a popular draw card for locals and visitors to the inner city.”

Rotorua District Council community arts officer, Marc Spijkerbosch, said the mural will form part of a living sculpture trail that to help breathe life back into the heart of the city while telling Rotorua’s unique stories.

“The council put out a nationwide call for interested artists two months ago and received 12 fantastic submissions from across New Zealand. Judges unanimously selected the collaborative design of local artist Jacob Chrisohoou and colleague Jonny4higher from Auckland. Their work is really going to light up the middle of town and kick things into life. We’re keen to keep the momentum going and we’re currently looking at other sites to follow suit,” he said.

District councillor Karen Hunt, who is portfolio lead for the district’s Inner City Revitalisation strategy, said the project was one way of bringing high foot-traffic areas to life by making use of strategic buildings to acknowledge and celebrate Rotorua’s rich heritage and culture.

“It’s also an ideal way to highlight some of the talented artists we have within our community,” Ms Hunt said.

Rotorua artist Jacob Chrisohoou said the pair’s vision was to bring memories of the Pink and White Terraces out of dusty books and forgotten folklore and to celebrate their glory in a bold and colourful mural.

“People once travelled long and treacherous journeys to marvel at this miraculous attraction yet, sadly, nowadays very few people from outside our country would even be aware they ever existed. We imagine re-starting the conversation and bringing that awe-inspiring environment back into the minds of visitors and locals alike.”

The inner city mural is expected to be completed next week.

ENDS

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