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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Charities Commission No: CC11046 Patron: Rt. Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand Trustees: Andrew Beyer (Chair) Margaret Pope Brian FitzPatrick
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c/- Ōtāhuhu Mainstreet & Commercial Association 19 Hall Avenue (PO Box 22– 166) 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