Hi everyone

I understand that some of you are feeling a bit worried about sitting underneath the Neil Dawson cube scuplture that hangs above the desk in the Central Library. I’ve talked to Lydia about it and she has spoken to Plant & Infrastructure staff. I hope the following will allay your concerns:

The sculpture has been checked after both the September and February earthquakes and it is not at any risk of falling. It is well secured by three heavy gauge nylon cords, each of which can sustain up to 68 kg breaking strain. The work is bolted to the wooden ceiling panels and has a swivel attachment at the sculpture connection point. Additionally, a safety ring loops through the corner of the sculpture and into each cord. The work would fall only if the swivel and safety loop both failed or all three cords failed and this is incredibly unlikely. Lydia would also like to reassure you that the art work is surprisingly light and would not in actuality cause great harm in the unlikely event it detached. It is made of aluminium mesh and weighs a mere 1.5 kg.

FYI – Public sculpture in Christchurch by Neil Dawson that you may recognise include the Chalice in Cathedral Square which is shaped like an inverted conical spire, to reflect the Cathedral and Echo hanging above buildings in the Art Centre which literally draws its surroundings in metal rod. For more information on Lit LeWitt click on the link: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/sculpture/artists/neil_dawson.shtml

From Ferns in Wellington’s Civic Square and Chalice in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square, to Raindrops in Manchester, United Kingdom, and the Globe in Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, Christchurch sculptor Neil Dawson is recognised internationally for his spatial celebrations that are at once accessible and challenging.

If you have any questions or concerns about art around campus please feel free to contact Lydia (the UoC art curator)

I hope this is reassuring.

Jill