David Lange Memorial PDF Booklet

DAVID LANGE
MEMORIAL
Front Cover Image : Edward Mee
DAVID LANGE MEMORIAL.
Artist’s Statement.
The David Lange Memorial was conceived as a tranquil space for contemplation and reflection,
an outdoor room. Defined by columns surrounding the courtyard, the space is enclosed by earth
mounds, large boulders and native planting.
Twelve columns represent the diversity of the Ōtāhuhu community and are banded with
symbols. The enclosure of the space is completed by a vessel form suspended above the
courtyard. Oriented East-West, the vessel references the pre European portage route between
the Waitematā and Manukau harbours. It symbolizes the passage of life and alludes to cycles of
time, sunrise and sunset.
David Lange was known as a man of words, and both sides of the vessel are laser cut with
quotations from his most famous speeches. On the North side are excerpts from the former
Prime Minister’s maiden speech to parliament in 1977. On the South side are excerpts from his
speech during the 1985 Oxford Union Debate.
Inlaid in the courtyard paving beneath the Vessel is a basalt ‘shadow form’ engraved with David
Lange’s attributes: Love, Mana, Justice, Passion, Humour, Courage, Confidence, Compassion,
Integrity, Morality, Honour, Aroha, Hope and Wit.
Visitors enter the Memorial courtyard from Mason Avenue where they can stand below the
suspended vessel or be seated on the surrounding boulders.
Virginia King 2008.
The David Lange Memorial is situated in Tōia, Mason Avenue, Ōtāhuhu, Auckland.
Image : Luke King
MEMORIAL COLUMN ICONOGRAPHY.
Kōtuku. (White Heron)
DAVID LANGE
The Kōtuku is a rare and endangered New Zealand bird with almost
mythical status, revered by both Māori and Pākehā for its elegant white
feathers. The Kōtuku is the symbol of Ōtāhuhu College where David
Lange was educated.
MEMORIAL
Rangimārie.
This Māori word translates as “peace” and is accompanied by the olive
branch, an international symbol of peace.
Elephant.
The Indian elephant is a symbol of good luck, representing royalty,
authority, power, wisdom and fertility.
Woven panels - Mānukau & Waitemātā.
The orientation of the vessel, East-West, references the historic portage
route between the Mānukau and Waitemātā harbours. The woven
imagery represents tāniko and tukutuku panels and alludes to the
weaving together of the community.
Hibiscus.
The brightly coloured Hibiscus flower is very popular throughout Pacific
nations. It is a symbol of love and life and is often used in lavalava fabric
design and tattoo.
Frangipani.
The Frangipani flower is the universal symbol of beauty and grace.
Chinese culture associated it with love; for the Buddhist community it
represented immortality, new life and birth; for Vietnamese it has
healing powers.
Tapa Print Frangipani.
The stylised Frangipani flower is commonly used in Polynesian tapa
cloth. Its geometric pattern appears in cultural designs from all across
the pacific.
MEMORIAL COLUMN ICONOGRAPHY.
Dove and Olive Branch.
DAVID LANGE
The Dove carrying an olive branch has been a symbol of peace since
Biblical times. Dove symbolism appears in Christianity, Judaism and
Paganism, as well as in military and pacifist groups.
MEMORIAL
Pātiki. (Flounder)
The diamond shaped design is based on the body of the Flounder, an
abundant shallow water fish. This pattern is often used in kete weaving.
Tāmure. (Snapper)
Once plentiful, this deepwater fish is a rich source of coastal food.
Due to unsustainable fishing practices, both commercial and
recreational, the population of this slow growing and long living fish is
now depleted.
Lotus.
To the Hindu community the sacred lotus flower is a symbol of purity
and spiritual perfection. It is a source of motivation and compassion as
its growth overcomes obstacles, and is unaffected by its surrounding
waters.
Frog.
The frog is a Celtic symbol representing healing. It has also been linked
to images of rebirth, fertility and metamorphosis. The New Zealand
native frog is an endangered species.
Pūkeko.
In Māori culture the pūkeko was held in high esteem because of its red
beak and legs. The colour red is associated with nobility and power.
Long Fin Eel.
The long fin eel is endangered. It breeds only once in its lifetime, when
it migrates across the Pacific to spawn. The eel larvae drift back to New
Zealand on oceanic currents.
MEMORIAL COLUMN ICONOGRAPHY.
Eight Pointed Star.
DAVID LANGE
The eight-pointed star is an ancient and universal symbol, as well as the
first compass. It is used here as symbol of fullness, regeneration,
navigation and guidance.
MEMORIAL
Tūī.
The Tūī represents David Lange’s skills as an orator. In Māori culture
these birds were tamed and taught mihi (greetings), as well as prayers
and proverbs. A Tūī that spoke with a loud and powerful voice was
called a manu rangatira – a chiefly bird.
Aum or Om.
The Aum symbol is an intonation, a resonant and vibrating sound made
up of three Sandskrit letters, representing harmony, peace and bliss.
Pīwakawaka. (Fantail)
Widespread throughout Aotearoa, this forest bird holds a significant
position in Māori mythology. Kupe’s canoe was alleged to have been
greeted by this little bird, and legend also links its postulating dance to
the challenge of the haka.
Early Christian Cross.
Apart from being a symbol of Christianity, the Christian Cross is a
symbol of the four seasons and a reference to self, nature, wisdom and
the divine.
Lizard.
In many cultures the Lizard is considered an omen of the underworld
and symbol of death. However Lizards facing opposite directions can
represent rebirth.
born august 4th 1942
died august 15th 2005
david russell lange
DAVID LANGE MEMORIAL.
Image : Brian FitzPatrick
The Artwork was commissioned by the David Lange Memorial Trust in 2007 and was opened in
September 2008 by the Governor General Anand Satyanand.
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Patron: Rt. Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand
Trustees: Andrew Beyer (Chair)
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19 Hall Avenue
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Ōtāhuhu, Auckland
For more information
visit the website:
www.davidlange.org.nz
Image : Virginia King
THE ARTIST.
Virginia King.
Image : Dorthe Scheffmann
Commissioned to create the Memorial in 2007,
Virginia spent around eight months in consultation
with Ōtāhuhu Communities and coordinated
sponsorship with local businesses who donated
materials.
She met with local Iwi, representatives from the
Pacific Islands, Indian and Asian Communities,
members of David’s family, friends and David’s
brother Peter Lange, to discuss the selection of
symbols for the pole iconography. Local Iwi also
advised on plant selection.
Virginia liaised with Natural Habitats and Jasmax to
finalize landscaping design.
Born in Kawakawa, Aotearoa in 1946, Virginia attended Ōhaeawai Primary School, Sacred Heart
College Lower Hutt, Wellington Polytechnic School of Design 1963, Elam School of Fine Arts,
University of Auckland 1964-65 and Chelsea Art School, Hammersmith, London 1978.
Virginia King’s public commissioned sculptures include:
Plume - Canberra Airport, Australia; Heart of Oak - Ōhinetahi, Governors Bay, Canterbury;
Woman of Words - Lambton Quay, Wellington; Hīnaki - Hobsonville Wharf, Auckland;
Rewarewa Creek Footbridge - New Lynn, Auckland; Aramarama Millennium Footbridge - Mission
Bay, Auckland; Reed Vessel - Melbourne Docklands, Victoria.
www.virginiakingsculptor.com
Image : Luke King
Back Cover Image : Simon Young
David Russell Lange 4th August 1942 - 13th August 2005
Prime Minister of New Zealand 1984 - 1989