After much thought (and one wacky idea!) I have finally decided on what I want this virtual cache to be about. In doing so I have made sure the sculptures (waypoints) to be visited are in a flat part of the city and therefore wheelchair accessible, something which is important to my family.
I’ve chosen 11 sculptures, some because I like them others because they are interesting, different, made me wonder how they were made and their significance.
I hope you enjoy this selection of the art work in our city.
Your task:
As usual you need to visit the published coordinates and then five other sculptures of your choice from the list below. You can either start at the published coordinates or finish at them.
Please take a photo of the sculpture at the published coordinates and then photos of five other sculptures you visit (i.e. a total of six). 'Bonus points' to those of you who show the sculptures in a different way (e.g. close up, etc). Please include a personal item, such as a trackable or a piece of paper with your geocaching name on it, in each photo.
Please upload these six photos, including the name of the sculpture, with your log.
Locations:
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Published coordinates.
Merging Blocks, on the pliths outside Te Papa.
These sculptures are temporary and will be on display until February 2026.
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Merging Blocks are four large coloured and mirrored glass three-dimensional shapes, in varying proportions and orientations. Each block has been designed to reflect a different aspect of the city: the faces of those passing, the tangle of clouds or the emptiness of the sky.
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Choose 5 of the sculptures listed below to visit and photograph.
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WP 1
The Philanthropist's Stone
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This work commemorates and celebrates the prominent Wellington businessman and philanthropist, Thomas George Macarthy. It marks the centenary of the Trust T G Macarthy established on his death in 1912. |
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WP 2
Albatross
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This was the first sculpture bought by the Wellington Sculpture Trust.
Albatross is three abstract shapes interacting with each other, with the water evoking rocks and the sea.
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WP 3
Protoplasm
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Protoplasm is a kinetic sculpture. The work looks at the study of matter, protoplasm being the inside active part of any living cell.
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WP 4
Invisible City
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Invisible City is about how we see, how we acquire information and how some things in life are hidden.
The poem in Braille relates to the physical experience of the blind poet, Peter Beatson, walking around Wellington.
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WP 5
SkyBlues
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The work comprises seven slim, tapering stainless steel poles, each nearly eleven metres tall, set out in the pattern of a Fibonacci or koru spiral. The top five metres of each pole support three (for a total of 21) twisting spirals of blue neon light.
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WP 6
Spinning Top
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The symbols on the lower side are astrological, and on the upper side they trace the history of Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington). The artwork makes whimsical reference to an old vehicle turntable previously on the site.
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WP 7
Woman of Words
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The work is designed to capture the essence of Katherine Mansfield while celebrating her literary heritage.
During the day the sculpture reflects the colour, movement and ambience of the surrounding area. At night, illuminated from within, the work becomes a lantern of silhouetted words.
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WP 8
Nga Kina
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Nga Kina acknowledges the history and physical geography of the area including the Kumutoto stream which flowed from Woodward Street to the sea and the location of the Kumutoto Pā.
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WP 9
The Grove
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Made from recycled wood from a former Wellington ferry wharf, The Grove honours the maritime history of Wellington's waterfront.
The Grove consists of 16 ‘copper headed nails’ of various heights hammered into the pavement. The shou sugi ban method of burning the exterior of the wood and applying oils accentuates the hand scalloping and provides the wood with one of the best preservatives known.
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WP 10
Walk the Line
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The Wai Piro Stream was culverted many years ago and is now running below Bowen Street, Lambton Quay and Whitmore Street. This artwork, 231 carved jade discs, marks the original bed of the stream which once flowed down what is now Bowen Street across the precinct to the nearby foreshore.
Running under the discs is a below-ground speaker system providing the sound of a running stream, all recorded from several stretches of water around e Ahumairangi/Mt Tinakori which feed the Wai Piro stream. You can hear it better in the early morning or mid/late evening.
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Well done TwigNZ for innovative photography, especially visiting an office and leaning out their window to take a photo of Sky Blues. 👏🏻❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well done Bruzie for innovative photography -close ups. I never thought of doing that. 👏🏻❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well done YetiNZ for innovative photography, especially with all the Little 'ns. I see giraffe ducky is missing from the Spinning Top photo. No doubt they went for a slide, as I would do 🤣. 👏🏻❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.