Hamilton's Anglesea St wall is to become a concrete canvas as it is transformed by a temporary art installation.

Wintec visual arts lecturer Kim Paton will create an "interactive mindmap" whereby members of the public are able to contribute to the art project.

The mindmap will cover most of the wall and be about 150m long.

The project will start with one word – which is likely to be "Hamilton" – with other words branching off this starting point.

A yet-to-be-launched website dedicated to the project will allow members of the public to contribute ideas and words to the mindmap.

Miss Paton said the nature of the project was unique.

"What you come up with is quite often an entirely surprising outcome," she said.

She has developed the installation from previous artworks that featured in Wellington and New Plymouth galleries and a piece that featured at Wintec's Ramp gallery earlier this year.

Her previous works have featured vinyl adhesive and black marker pens to create a "whiteboard-style drawing".

The installation will run from August to October and is to coincide with Wintec's International Spark media, art and design festival.

Hamilton City Council is funding $5000 to the project on condition that the remaining funds are raised and materials used for the piece are tested on the wall ahead of installation.

Mayor Julie Hardaker said there had been talk for decades of using the wall for artwork.

"This is an opportunity to put a spotlight on a unique part of the central city, and do something creative and adventurous," she said.

"It's also a chance to see one of our local artists at work, and I'm excited about seeing the outcome."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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