One Whale = Ten Elephants

Last weekend I was playing croquet at Palmerston North. We were staying out of Town with friends but went into Town for a take-away on the Saturday evening and I was shown this amazing sculpture by the New Zealand artist Paul Dibble in the forecourt of the library.

The sculpture entitled 'All Creatures Great - One Whale = Ten Elephants' sits outside the main entrance to the Central Library in Palmerston North. The sculpture is based on a notion from an old children's nature book. Paul says "When I was a kid in the 1950s, some English books used to use numbers of one thing to give an idea of the size of something else. For instance, the height of 10 elephants equals the height of one whale". These endangered mammals hold a lintel upon which is an oversized arm holding a plumb bob."The elephant is the largest land mammal, and the whale the largest sea mammal. Lots of emotion is attached to saving these creatures and one of the great concerns as we reach the end of the century is saving the planet. The hand and the plumb bob signify 'it's in our hands' as we manage the planet, the environment. It goes back to preciousness, balance and protection. It's a very fine balance." The piece was entirely cast here in Palmerston North at the Dibbles' studio.

Also designed by Paul Dibble and architect John Hardwick-Smith is The New Zealand Memorial in London's Hyde Park Corner which commemorates the enduring bonds between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and our shared sacrifice during times of war. It is a symbol both of our common heritage and of New Zealand's distinct identity. The memorial consists of 16 cross-shaped vertical bronze 'standards' set out in formation on a grassy slope. Each standard is adorned with text, patterns and small sculptures. "Through the words and images, any New Zealander visiting the memorial will recognise home, and British people may learn something of the relationship between our two countries," explains Paul Dibble.

Dance Express

Catriona and Fraser go to hip hop dancing at the dance studio featured in the last posting (Wall Paintings). Until now I, like Wendy when they said that's what they wanted to do, have rather dismissed hip hop. I suppose because of its association with the New York of the 1970s and the rap movement hip hop had negative connotations in my mind. Having seen the recital on Sunday my view has completely changed. And with it, as a result of a little bit of research to satisfy my curiosity, my sub-conscious prejudices.

Hip hop is far more multi-faceted and complex than the dancing we saw and yet that which we saw was exciting and, on the whole, more entertaining than the other dancing that day.

The Recital (an annual event to case show the efforts of the school and its pupils) comprised 35 dance routines performed by somewhere over a hundred participants - mostly young children - but ranging from about 5 to 35. The organisation alone was very impressive.

Wall Paintings

There are quite a few wall paintings around Napier and Hastings and I showed some in my Blog last visit. Here are two from a liquor store and the dance studio where Fraser and Catriona learn. In New Zealand spirits can olnly be purchased in liquor stores (or public houses and hotels for consumption on the premises) although wine is sold in supermarkets, shops, liquor stores and wineries.