United for Truth at Te Henga Bethells Beach

Interactive and participatory, United for Truth is a large-scale art installation that uses natural material found on beaches to create a sculpture with a social or environmental message.

Leading the project, Gisborne-based artist Adel Salmanzadeh and his whānau invite the community to come together to make something beautiful and impactful as a collective. Two installations over two weekends – one at Te Henga Bethells Beach, and the other at Narrow Neck Beach, Takapuna – will use sculpture to focus on the word ‘Truth’, investigating what it means to each of us as individuals and as a collective.

The great ocean will eventually wipe out the words, showing the true force of nature. Our presence on this planet is temporary and we have the power to do immense damage to our world’s destiny. The grace of the ocean wiping the slate clean is a symbol of the second chance we have to correct the balance.

Image: Carmel Aroha Salmanzadeh