Mark Houlahan column: A bumper batch of conversation starters to begin the new year (mention)

POP ICON: Riff Raff represents Hamilton's newest photo opportunity.

Source: http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,3150064a6580,00.html

08 January 2005
By MARK HOULAHAN

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Speaking of Hamilton, the new statues should get you through several rounds of drinks. On the city side of the river there is, of course, Riff Raff in all his metallic splendour.

I knew the launch would be fun, but I had no idea how elegant the final piece would look in daylight. Full marks to Mark Servian, who kick-started the whole idea, and welcome to Hamilton's newest photo opportunity.

At this point traditionalists will harrumph (though of course a pop culture icon which has lasted since the early 1970s is its own tradition).

Anyway, send naysayers over the bridge to Memorial Park, where the new Spitfire is poised for flight into the western sky, forming a lovely triangle with the anchor of the Waikato (with matching flower bed) and the cenotaph itself. The Spitfire was launched 12 hours after Riff Raff; two aerodynamically pleasing public works of art.

On this topic, I would add also that the ceremonies devised to launch both pieces were excellent – appropriate, well-designed and executed and, of course, superbly well-attended. No rule book for either, since each event by definition was unique.

Could it be that we are developing a public culture at long last?

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