'Mind map' applied to Wintec wall

People on the street are divided over the temporary art installation on the Wintec wall.

Some people couldn't see the releavance of the work while others think it's a colourful and welcome addition to the vast grey space.

Artist and Wintec visual arts lecturer Kim Paton created a mind map, a collection of thoughts, which has been installed on the wall using commercial-grade vinyl adhesive. The 170m creation will be up for about three months.

Kim created the mind map using ideas and words contributed by the public via a website. She refined the content from the website with plenty of research about Hamilton, going back as far as pre- and post-European settlement to "ensure a good reflection of the city as a whole".

"It's about finding some resonance ... one thing leads to another. You might start at 'poignant' and end up at 'weird' or 'funny'."

Hamilton News reader Sally Birch said "this is fantastic, a thought-provoking and a wonderful addition to the CBD".

Waimihi Hotere said "anything is better than nothing. Finally Hamilton's biggest elephant has been spoken for".

Kim expected public reaction to be mixed. "I really believe public art suffers from us thinking we can please every one. If nothing else I hope people realise the potential of the site."

Other readers suggested future plans for the wall that included a "living" wall, with grass or plants covering it.