Phill Rooke, Manukau City Workers Project, EPMU

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drawings for the project.

"Working lives – A sculpture Project on the Manukau Foreshore"
Manukau City Worker's Memorial Art Project

The project is sponsored by the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) who also provides for the project management. The union has got agreement from the Mangere Community board and the Manakau City Council to establish a workers Memorial park in Norana Reserve in Mangere Part of this will be a large sculpture. Initial concept funding and support for the project will come from Manukau city council and the EPMU.

It is intended to commission an artwork which tells the story of the contribution that workers make and tells of their labour and energy in the workplace; work which too often ends in their ill health, disability or death. These important, but sometimes overlooked, events can seem mundane when filed in reports. We want, in this project, to draw attention to the contribution of working people and we consider a sculptural form would reach a wide audience and present the story in a new and vital way. It would be part of the ongoing process of telling the union movement's stories and those of their member's lifecycle.

To make this come about I will be talking to as many people as I can in industries covered by the union and the local community. I'll be asking them for ideas and encouraging them to become involved in the project. Over the coming months I will be showing some drawings for feedback. These will only be the start. Ideas and drawings will change. People have different stories. I need to hear these stories; I want them to be reflected in the sculpture. I hope that some members will become involved in the both the ideas and the making of the sculpture.

The model for the sculpture is to be displayed on the 28th of April at the International Worker's Memorial Day (WMD) event to be arranged by the Union. I look forward to meeting and working with people before this.

The beginning – Initial drawing
I have completed three drawings to be considered, these are not intended as the final concept for the sculpture the main motive for the drawings is to promote ideas
Physical considerations:
The large open space that the sculpture will be situated in will require the sculpture to be large in scale and noticeable as the work will need to be seen over a long distance both from the park and the harbour.
It will need to be very durable as it will be exposed to the full extent of the elements, including salt water.
At times the public space will be occupied by a lot of people and at others very few so intentional and unintentional damage has to be taken into account along with the safety of the public. An effective sculpture could not double up as a climbing frame.

Ideas:
I am only in my initial phase of talking to people but some ideas have come through: The sculpture is ultimately intended as part of workers Memorial Day to commemorate those who have died in the work place. To do this it seems to me that we need the sculpture to stories around workers culture in the broadest sense. This culture covers the whole spectrum of the life world, its inherent physical dangers, health risks and economic imperatives. The domestic; partners and the family, activities that occur outside the work place, community, sport and cultural activities can be overshadowed. Many workers are involved in activities that involve a close connection with the natural world something that is far removed from the industries they work in.

Drawings:
In these three drawings No 1. No2 and No 3. I have used the materials to 'talk about' the jobs that many members do and on the other hand. Large part of the structure would be bolted RSJ s. I have used direct representation to indicate many of the other activities that members are involved in. These drawings talk to me about many of the things that I have found among workers and are beginning to reflect some of the ideas that workers in the union have talked to me about. I need more of your imput if I am to achieve a real sense of your story.
Comments
Have a look and let me know what you think. I need and welcome your comments and suggestions of ideas for the sculpture or if you have any questions you can contact me:
Phone: 09 376-5172,
E-e mail [email protected]

Drawing No. 1

Drawing Number One.

Detail of
Drawing No. 1.

This work would be about 5 - 6 meters and be constructed of coloured annd galvanized steel.

Drawing No. 2

Drawing Number Two.

Detail of Drawing No. 2.
Click for larger view.

Drawing No 2. Again this work would be approximately 5 - 6 meters high, made of coloured and galvanized steel. The main structure would be made of large bolted, steel RSJs. The coloured triangles on the right would move in the wind.

Drawing No. 3 The structure of this work would be 5 - 6 meters high also of coloured and galvanized steel. The centrifugal governor on the top of the triangle could move in the wind and have some lighting.

Detail.

Detail.
Click for zoom in for a closer look.

Detail.

Comments
Have a look and let me know what you think. I need and welcome your comments and suggestions of ideas for the sculpture
or if you have any questions you can contact me:
Phone: 09 376-5172,
e mail [email protected]