"Albatross", Tanya Ashken Fountain

Heritage object

The Lagoon, Frank Kitts Park, Te Aro
❰ ❱
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Map

  • Constructed

    1986

  • Architect(s)

    Tanya Ashken

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • Albatross has high artistic value. The sculpture is bold in form and materials; its organic shapes echo the hills of Wellington and its use of water blurs the line between the city and the harbour.

    Albatross’s maker, Tanya Ashken, is an acclaimed and accomplished New Zealand sculptor. It was Ashken’s’ strong desire to provide Wellington with a public sculpture that. Albatross also has a strong association with the Wellington Sculpture Trust, which was formed from the prolonged process from which Albatross was born. Albatross was a rallying cry for public sculpture advocates and it was a catalyst for the relatively prolific public sculpture scene in Wellington.

    Albatross has considerable cultural value to Wellington. It is a significant piece of public art, artistically and socially. It also remains a highly valued sculpture for the Wellington Sculpture Trust.

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  • close History
    • Tanya Ashken’s Albatross has quite a history, and the sculpture and the story serve as a catalyst for much of the public art presence on Wellington’s waterfront.

      The impetus for the sculpture came from Ashken herself; she was determined to produce a public sculpture for Wellington and was looking for both a site and funding.  Ashken showed City Council Town Planner Ken Clark a model of the sculpture and he agreed to provide a site if the funds were raised. Ashken raised around $20,000 before Wellington philanthropists Henry Lang and Dr Ian Prior took over the fundraising role. Lang and Prior subsequently established the Wellington Sculpture Trust in 1982 in order to advocate for and aid future installations such as Ashken’s.

      Albatross was installed in 1986. Though it is quite common to have a list of donors listed on a sculpture, the donor list on the base of Albatross is perhaps more poignant considering what the sculpture went through to be sculpted and installed.

      Hone Tuwhare wrote a poem in honour of the occasion, dedicating it ‘to those who found Albatross a home in Wellington.’  The poem – Toroa – Albatross – was read at the sculpture’s unveiling. 

      Albatross has made a considerable contribution to Wellington. Its artistic value is significant – the three abstract shapes reference the albatross and, in the words of the sculptor, ‘its size, its power and its awesome grace’.  The boulder and water interaction is also highly evocative of the sea, an obvious reference considering its position. 

      Albatross also has had a considerable social effect on the city. Albatross was a turning point for public sculpture in Wellington. It spurred the formation of the Wellington Sculpture Trust, which has had an incredible cultural influence on the city with their championing and funding of numerous public art installations.
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      Albatross is comprised of three large, white, abstract ferro-cement shapes arranged in a raised circular fountain. Water cascades from all three shapes, giving the sculpture significant kinetic and aural qualities.

      In Albatross, Wellington curator Aaron Lister sees an artistic connection between the sculpture and the Wellington Sculpture Trust, writing that ‘its abstracted forms, which harness natural rhythms and energies, embody the Trust’s early ideals and objectives’ in a statement of ‘cultural and spiritual values in the face of the city’s redevelopment’.  Lister also believes Albatross tries and succeeds at interacting with Wellington’s natural landscape :

      Its gleaming white surfaces reflect the light and colours of its harbour-side setting, while its organic shapes echo the hill forms of this evocative natural environment. Ashken’s use of water as both a malleable sculptural form and a symbolic force serves to bring the power of the harbour closer to the heart of the city.


    • Materials close
      Ferro-cement, water
    • Setting close

      Albatross’s setting is quite spectacular. Located on the northern edge of the lagoon, on the edge of Frank Kitts Park.

  • close Cultural Value
    Albatross has high artistic value. The sculpture is bold in form and materials; its organic shapes echo the hills of Wellington and its use of water blurs the line between the city and the harbour.

    Albatross’s maker, Tanya Ashken, is an acclaimed and accomplished New Zealand sculptor. It was Ashken’s’ strong desire to provide Wellington with a public sculpture that. Albatross also has a strong association with the Wellington Sculpture Trust, which was formed from the prolonged process from which Albatross was born. Albatross was a rallying cry for public sculpture advocates and it was a catalyst for the relatively prolific public sculpture scene in Wellington.

    Albatross has considerable cultural value to Wellington. It is a significant piece of public art, artistically and socially. It also remains a highly valued sculpture for the Wellington Sculpture Trust.
    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        Albatross has high artistic value. The sculpture is bold in form and materials; its organic shapes echo the hills of Wellington and its use of water blurs the line between the city and the harbour

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        Albatross has considerable townscape value. It adds a high degree of visual interest to an area that is already a very attractive part of the city. It is a landmark of Wellington’s public sculpture collection.

      • Group

        Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

        Albatross can be considered part of a group with other Wellington Sculpture Trust pieces

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        Albatross’s maker, Tanya Ashken, is an acclaimed and accomplished New Zealand sculptor. It was Ashken’s’ strong desire to provide Wellington with a public sculpture that. Albatross also has a strong association with the Wellington Sculpture Trust, which was formed from the prolonged process from which Albatross was born. Albatross was a rallying cry for public sculpture advocates and it was a catalyst for the relatively prolific public sculpture scene in Wellington.

    • Scientific Value close

      Not assessed

    • Social Value close

      • Identity - Sense of Place - Continuity

        Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

        Albatross contributes to a sense of Wellington as a city that values art and culture. Albatross’s echoes of the landscape also ground it as very much a sculpture of Wellington.

      • Sentiment - Connection

        Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

        Albatross remains an item of connection for the Wellington Sculpture Trust.

      • Symbolic - Commemorative - Traditional - Spiritual

        Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

        Albatross has considerable cultural value to Wellington. It is a significant piece of public art, artistically and socially. It also remains a highly valued sculpture for the Wellington Sculpture Trust.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Rare

        Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

        Albatross is an outstanding piece of public sculpture.

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        Albatross remains in original condition.

      • Importance

        Is the item important at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        Albatross is important at a local level.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      17/57

    • Legal Description

      Lot 2 DP 436892

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not listed

    • Archaeological Site

      Risk unknown

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Unknown

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 10/4/2017 12:12:46 AM