A flashing keyhole, an abandoned trapeze, a miniature temple or semaphore shadows on the footpath – expect the unexpected from new contemporary artworks in and around Auckland’s busy Learning Quarter from July 31.

A flashing keyhole, an abandoned trapeze, a miniature temple or semaphore shadows on the footpath – expect the unexpected from new contemporary artworks in and around Auckland’s busy Learning Quarter from July 31.

The works are all part of a newly installed public art project Micro Sites, an Auckland City Council public art initiative developed in partnership with The University of Auckland and AUT University.

Micro Sites is a series of discrete temporary artworks that will make for surprising discoveries for people living, working and walking through Auckland’s Learning Quarter.  The Quarter encompasses Albert Park, The University of Auckland, AUT University and the surrounding streets and neighbourhoods.

“The works are unlabelled and intended to be chanced upon,” says Councillor Greg Moyle, chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee.

“This project is an opportunity for artists to create small-scale artworks that run against the grain and interfere with everyday perceptions of a place.  Micro Sites brings an innovative approach to public art in a dynamic and diverse part of Auckland’s cultural landscape,” he adds.

The Micro Sites artists are a mix of established artists, emerging artists and art students - Anthony Cribb, Trenton Garratt, Tessa Laird,  Xu Li, Asumi Mizuo, Ryan Monro, Amber Pearson, A.D. Schierning, Rachel Shearer, Agnes So, Thomas Stewart, Tiffany Singh, and Taarati Taiaroa.

Their installations were selected from a wider group of concept proposals, submitted at the invitation of the council’s public art manager and the Advisory Panel for Public Art.  They are designed as medium-term projects with a lifespan of up to five years.

For more information and a downloadable map of the locations of the artworks visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/publicart.