A giant floating octopus artwork by well-known artist Lisa Reihana has arrived at Viaduct Harbour.
This marks the beginning of a busy season of arts in Auckland’s city centre. The sculpture, Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, will be on display until May 14, as part of the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail.
The piece is inspired by a famous Māori legend about a mighty octopus pursued by the explorer Kupe. It is part of Reihana’s Kura Moana series and has appeared at major events like the Venice Biennale. At 15 metres wide, the sculpture features bold red patterns and maze-like designs representing traditional Māori weaving.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says the artwork is a powerful way to begin Auckland’s winter arts season, which includes everything from opera and comedy to street festivals and Matariki celebrations.
Visitors can also use their phones to scan a QR code at the harbour and unlock an augmented reality (AR) experience, where the octopus appears above the water and tells her story with a modern twist.
Besides Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, eight other large sculptures by top New Zealand artists are also on display along the harbour for the art fair, which runs May 1–4.
The rest of the arts season includes over 140 shows and events across the city from April to June. Highlights include musicals like Annie and Chicago, The Gruffalo for younger audiences, the Auckland Writers Festival, and special Matariki celebrations.
