Check Out the Sites with Wellington's Art Community

The random placement of seven steel shipping containers dotted around central Wellington is not so much an elaborate public art stunt, but an effort to get people thinking about the urban design processes that shape this city.


INSite is an opportunity for the public to engage with local artists as they take residence in the containers and come up with a response to their immediate surroundings.

Bruce Mahalski plans to transform his container, located on Arthur Street, into a replica of a 1930-40s tram with famous Wellingtonians such as William Wakefield, Te Puni and Peter Jackson gazing out of the windows. He believes that the trams are an important part of Wellington's history.

"Wellington was the first city in the southern hemisphere to use steam trams – and later acquired an extensive electric tram network whose routes were like veins pumping life into the new suburbs that grew up around them. I like to promote Wellington's history in my art, and from this, I hope that people will check out the trams that are still operational at the Tram Museum at Paekakariki and also think about using other means of transport."

Bruce notes that many European cities have banned private cars from city centres and now encourage public transport systems based on the electric trams. He wonders what it would be like if that scenario took place here?

Some of the more abstract INSite projects are to be found at the container in the Railway Station forecourt. Enjoy Gallery has several artists working on two themes, We Are Moving Forward Positively and Make Space Your Space My Space. They are set to engage commuters with exhibitions and surveys and plan to stage a fake campaign to generate hype in a bid to get people thinking seriously about the urban space they are occupying.

Local video artist Rob Appierdo has teamed up with new media artist Morgan Barnard on Courtenay Place, where they will conduct a series of workshops that include melting down plastic bags to make courier bags, wallets and jackets. Sentimental Plastics will offer creative solutions on how to re-use plastic bags to encourage a more sustainable future.

These artists and others will be available to talk to passers-by throughout the month. INSite runs until Friday 5 October.

This series is part of IntensCITY Week, organised by the Council to draw attention to and celebrate the importance of good urban design. More information about events and activities can be found on the Council's website.