Google: Tech-giant’s bold plans for indigenous sculptures at Sydney HQ

Tech giant Google has unveiled plans to build a massive Google Maps ‘pin’ as part of a million-dollar Indigenous-themed sculpture plan for its Sydney headquarters.

Tech giant Google has unveiled plans to build a 4.5m tall ‘pin’ as part of a million-dollar sculpture plan for its Sydney headquarters.

New plans show the larger than life sculpture inspired by the ‘pin’ function on Google Maps would tower over pedestrians outside Google’s Pyrmont headquarters, in a move the company hopes will encourage visitors to engage with the Google brand.

Plans by the tech giant state the sculpture would celebrate Australia’s role in developing the Google Maps web mapping platform back in 2005.

The artwork would also feature Indigenous elements and languages by incorporating words of Sydney traditional lands – Wangal and Gadigal – in a visual acknowledgement of country.

The massive pin would be fixed in place by a steel frame, clad with sheet metal and have a light diffuse in its centre which would illuminate at night.

A concept plan of the sculpture.

The plan would stand 4.5m tall.

The sculpture – proposed to be located on Pirrama Rd adjacent to Pyrmont Bay – would cement the tech company’s growing presence on the peninsula.

“The sculpture identifies Google as a key anchor within the Sydney innovation corridor – a precinct critical to Sydney’s economic and cultural prosperity,” the plans state.

A photo showing the proposed location on Pirrama Rd.

A photo of the second sculpture, called Moodji.

“It is a visual symbol of Pyrmont’s strategic direction and Sydney’s commitment to tech, creativity and innovation.”

The sculpture is one two public artworks planned at the Google campus with a second Indigenous themed sculpture called Moodji proposed to be built within Google forecourt fronting on to Darling Island Rd.

Moodji – a colloquial Indigenous term for ‘friend’ – would incorporate a design developed by Indigenous artists through a workshop led by Sydney design studio Yerrabingin.

The 6.2m tall sculpture would be suspended 4m above ground by suspension roads.

The sculptures are the latest development proposed in Sydney by Google, with the tech giant planning to adapt historic navy warehouses in Pyrmont into new office spaces.

Pyrmont resident Elizabeth Elenius, a convener of the Pyrmont Action Group, had mixed thoughts on the artworks.

“I can’t say I like it personally, and it is big but it pales into insignificance compared to some of the other developments in Pyrmont and the backdrop of the edifice of the Crown Casino,” she said.

“I think it’s large and obtrusive and I can’t see that having a sculpture of a corporate logo will add anything to the visual amenity of the area.”

The cost of the sculptures would tally a total of $1,000,577. The City of Sydney is currently assessing the proposal.