Plane
Warwick Freeman (New Zealander, b.1953), Artist 1998 © All rights reserved See full details
Object Detail
Description
The design for ‘Plane’ originated from a free plastic toy in a cereal pack (c1960s - 70s) and was originally the ‘found' model for the work ‘Weka’s Nest’ (1988). As a stand-alone piece, it conflates the boundaries between high art and commercial culture, and continues Warwick Freeman’s interest in exploring pakeha identity within a pacific context: playing on ideas of migration, distance, belief and death.
In Geoff Chapple’s “Terrain” (2015: 69), Freeman describes the Boeing 747 as “a big energy in an island, kind of bottom-of-the-world culture. It’s the way out. Out to the Manukau Heads, and crank a right.”
The shape of a plane is also not unlike the symbol of the cross and with it Freeman creates a link to the work “Boy, I would say get out” from the Jet out series by Colin McCahon who both celebrates and feels frustrated by New Zealand culture, in turn suggesting a tension in the belief that a spiritual death is a release, escape or transition from everyday existence.
The artist is also aware that within a 21st century context the plane can be seen as a weapon associated with terror attacks, further symbolising the spiritual and political distance that can occur between people.
In Geoff Chapple’s “Terrain” (2015: 69), Freeman describes the Boeing 747 as “a big energy in an island, kind of bottom-of-the-world culture. It’s the way out. Out to the Manukau Heads, and crank a right.”
The shape of a plane is also not unlike the symbol of the cross and with it Freeman creates a link to the work “Boy, I would say get out” from the Jet out series by Colin McCahon who both celebrates and feels frustrated by New Zealand culture, in turn suggesting a tension in the belief that a spiritual death is a release, escape or transition from everyday existence.
The artist is also aware that within a 21st century context the plane can be seen as a weapon associated with terror attacks, further symbolising the spiritual and political distance that can occur between people.
Title
Plane
Production date
1998
Media
oxidised silver, stainless steel
Measurements
46 x 49 x 12mm (h x w x d)
Credit line
Collection of The Dowse Art Museum, gifted by Jim Barr & Mary Barr 2015
Accession number
2015.1.1
