Red Cloud Confrontation in Landscape

by Leon van den Eijkel

I spent Thursday with another aunt (this one visiting form London, and not a client). We had a more relaxing day - though somewhat physically exerting in the heat and wind - going around Gibbs Farm overlooking the Kaipara Harbour.

Alan Gibbs is a NZ businessman who collects large scale sculptural works from NZ & international artists, most were commissioned for the specific location. Although the works are on his private estate, there are a number of (free, but booked in advance - well in advance) open days each year.

The Anish Kapoor - Dismemberment, Site 1 is truly impressive, but my favourite is Wind Wand by Len Lye, constructed posthumously once technology caught up with his imagination. I liked this work for itself, but also for the way that people interact with it.

Red Cloud Confrontation in Landscape
Leon van den Eijkel - 1996

25 cast formed and painted concrete cubes 17.5m x 17.5m

Tried and true colour harmonies based on the three primary colours of red, yellow and blue, are pitted against what van den Eijkel calls his "Pacific colours" in a dialogue between European modernism and the southern hemisphere environment.

- from the catalogue they give you at the gate.