Giant Poppy Art Project Proposal

idea is to build an art installation in the shape of a “ My Giant Poppy in the Auckland Domain where everybody has an opportunity to participate in its creation.

This will honour the 100 Year Anniversary of WW1 and the ANZAC’s sacrifice to protect our ongoing freedom and democracy

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Tony McNeight Artist

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Why the Giant idea?

My family were involved in both WW1 and WW2. My great uncle died in France in WW1. Every year I go to the ANZAC service with my father’s medals and have always wanted to lay my own wreath.

On ANZAC Day in 2014, I had an epiphany to create an art installation so everyone would have the opportunity to personally pay their respects.

My young multi-national colleagues also planted the seed when they asked what ANZAC Day was, they had no idea.

Some of them came from countries where freedom and democracy are not a given.

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What is the Giant idea?

Red recyclable metal disk

= Approx 59,000 Disks

150cm

Personal message

• An installation consisting of 59,000 specially minted red metal discs placed on the ground to create a giant poppy shape. • These discs will make up a giant poppy 40 metres in diameter making it the biggest commemorative poppy ever created.

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Where and when does the Giant idea come alive? • The Auckland Domain (beside the museum on the sports grounds) • It will be created by the artist and those who choose to participate from April 15 to 25th ( ANZAC DAY)

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40m

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How the Giant idea works

I want to involve Aucklanders, New Zealanders, new New Zealanders, expats and everyone who wants to pay their respects to the ANZAC’s and recognise the gift of our freedom and ongoing democracy.

There are two ways to become involved.

1. Visit the Auckland Domain, make a donation to the RSA, receive a disc and with the help of the Giant Poppy Crew write a message and place it as part of the artwork.

2. There will be a website for everyone who cannot visit the domain.

They can go online to www.giantpoppy.co.nz, make their RSA donation and a poppy disc will be placed in the poppy area on their behalf.

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About the Artist and the Giant installation art installation is about the ANZAC’s, for the “ My ANZAC’s and their sacrifice for our freedom and ongoing democracy.

I am a commissioned artist who has had a deep passion for this subject. The culmination of creative thought and this very important commemoration year, resulted in my idea to create a Giant Poppy that gives everyone a chance to make their personal tribute.

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NB: I think it is important that I answer this question as it has come up on a number of occasions. I acknowledge and admire the British commemorative Poppy artwork at the Tower of London.

However it had no influence on my original idea. (My idea for the installation was conceived on ANZAC Day 2014 before the UK project became public). The success of the UK art piece, which was far greater than ever anticipated, reflects the depth of public feeling for this anniversary.

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Communicating the Giant idea • Launch February • NZME (NZ Herald and all NZME publications and radio stations) have committed to the Giant Poppy Art Project • PR – constant and ongoing editorial through all television networks, radio, newspapers and magazines etc • Documentary with Maori Television – ANZAC Day broadcaster of record • An online TVC • Saturated social media – facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo etc • Activation through supports networks – links through their websites, billing etc to all their communities • Activation through other organisations e.g Kea ( expats organisation) etc • Print, posters, billboards, radio ads etc.

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What is our Giant history?

New Zealand has a proud but sad heritage of supporting the British Empire in 1914-18 War – The First World War. This year 2014 and on to 2018 is the 100 year Anniversary of sending men and women from New Zealand to Gallipoli and the trenches of Europe to fight ‘the war to end all wars’. The ANZAC’s suffered severe casualties with many of their finest young men and women killed or wounded.

New Zealand had the biggest loss per head of population of any country in the then Empire.

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The Giant idea supporters (to date)

• • • • • • • •

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NZ Steel – the discs and funding NZME Image Centre NZ Cranes Rush Security Majestic Textiles Canon BDO International Accountants

What do you get for your giant support?

• An opportunity to be a frontline supporter of a major event with heritage significance - ANZAC Day and the World War 1 Centenary • One of the major opportunities is being seen to be proactive at this historic time. Giving your staff, clients and wider networks in Auckland, and also nationally and internationally through the website, an opportunity to recognise those that protected their freedom and democracy.

• Brand identification on all Giant Poppy collateral including posters, website, advertisements, identification at event.

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• Involvement in launch activities • An opportunity for your staff/clients to be actively involved as volunteers during the creation of the Giant Poppy.

• Opportunity to leverage your support with your own communications – public relations, advertising, social media, client/suppliers communications.

• Use of the RSA logo in conjunction with the Big Poppy logo – all use to be approved.

Contact Tony McNeight mobile : 021 925 031 website: www.giantpoppy.co.nz

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