'Ugly' Centenary of Canberra balloon Skywhale under fire

IT won't be unveiled until tomorrow but Skywhale, commissioned for the Centenary of Canberra, is already dividing opinion.

IT won't be unveiled until tomorrow, but Skywhale - the gargantuan whale-like balloon commissioned for the Centenary of Canberra - is already dividing opinion in the nation's capital.

Talkback radio and social media were awash with claims Patricia Piccinini's 23m-high, 34m-wide whale-shaped artwork was "ugly'' and an "eyesore'', while the ACT government found itself under fire for a commission that will have a lifespan of just 100 flights.

In a public accounts committee hearing it was revealed the operating costs for the balloon, in addition to the artwork's $172,000 construction cost, would approximate $300,000.

"The total project cost for the balloon that's been allowed within the Centenary program is $300,000,'' Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said.

"That includes the licensing (and) all of the associated costs with flying the balloon throughout the year.''

ACT Oppositon Leader Jeremy Hanson blasted the government over the public artwork, commissioned by COC artistic director Robyn Archer and which has taken almost two and a half years to construct.

"While Canberra taxpayers will pay $300,000 for the hot air balloon, it is not actually owned by the Territory and has a design life of only 100 flights, with only one of those flights planned for Canberra so far,'' he said.

The artwork is owned by the ballon company that operates it, but its future will be decided by Piccinini.

Skywhale will officially be unveiled on Saturday at the National Gallery of Australia, to which it will be tethered ahead of a maiden flight on Monday.

The artwork - which depicts a giant whale, replete with dangling mammalian teets - is scheduled to appear at MONA FOMA in Hobart, before an appearance in Melbourne. 

Archer said Skywhale was a bargain for public art.

"This is cheap,'' she said. "It's a bargain for public art.''

Piccinini on Thursday seemed to concede not everyone would share her affinity with her work - she described it as a highlight of her career - but said that's what made its connection to Canberra all the more significant.

"This is a place of ideas, of debate,'' she said. "I can't think of a more perfect place for her.''