Kingsley
Baird

Walking Sticks – a 25 metre-long steel and glass art canopy – abstractly mimics the characteristics of its urban environment including surrounding buildings and their existing canopies and new tree plantings. The metallic paint surface on the steel poles changes according to light conditions. The poles’ distinct form is disrupted by dot patterns projected from the glass canopy above. Poles and ground plane merge, and human passers-by – momentarily veiled by the dot patterns – blend with their surroundings.

The Telecom forecourt redevelopment design project, Telecom © Tory, was a collaboration between artist, Kingsley Baird (Walking Sticks canopy), and Boffa Miskell (landscaping). The project was recognised in the national design wards, 2004 Pride of Place Landscape Awards and 2005 New Zealand Year of the Built Environment Award.

The canopy no longer exists; it was removed during recent redevelopment of the forecourt.