Public artworks for a bike-themed art trail have been labelled as a ‘waste of funds’, but aiming to be a ‘cheeky gesture’

A $200,000 series of public artworks around Adelaide has been condemned by residents, but the artist responsible said it was a tongue in cheek work.

Cyclist, David Apps with one of the bike art installations in Adelaide, as part of the Adelaide City Bike Art Trail. Picture: Matt Loxton

An unusable ‘bike rack’ in a $200,000 series of public artworks around Adelaide has been called a “waste of funds” and “out of touch” by residents.

However, the artist responsible said it was a “cheeky gesture” that was never meant to be primarily used as a parking spot.

Last week, the SA Government Facebook page spruiked the council’s bike-themed art trail, which takes cyclists on an 11-stop journey between the CBD and North Adelaide.

However, the centrepiece of its social media launch, Karl Meyer’s “Motion” outside the Festival Centre, received a frosty reception.

“This is not practical at all,” Quanhao Echo wrote.

“It parks fewer bikes than the old traditional racks, it’s also harder to lock both the wheels and the frames.”

Stephen Humble took aim at government funding priorities: “There are certainly people who struggle to pay their rates and taxes, so unless funds are providing useful bike facilities, they should be trying to lower costs not spending on frivolous unnecessary crap.”

Claire Simpson-Smith with one of the bike art installations in Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton

More than a dozen others echoed their thoughts.

“Motion” was originally built in 2013 and relocated during the Festival Centre upgrades, but was recently restored to its original King William Road location.

Mr Meyer, 52, told The Advertiser the commission for his three contributions to the trail was $15,000 apiece, which included materials and wages between all workers.

He said there was never a functioning bike rack there in the first place.

“The squiggle was really around the playfulness of the Festival Centre, and as a form that expressed and celebrated the venue,” Mr Meyer said.

Cyclist, David Apps with one of the bike art installations in Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton

“The idea was never meant to be, ‘I can put my bike here and it’s just meant to be a bike rack’ – these things were meant to be a cheeky gesture in a playful form.

“It’s like saying with the bronze pigs in Rundle Mall, ‘Why can’t I use the rubbish bin?’”

Mr Meyer said the art trail drew attention to famous cultural landmarks in a “low-cost, high-volume” way.

"Camouflage" sculpture by Karl Meyer outside Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Experience Adelaide

Other pieces include Michelle Nikou’s bronze sculpture “Paper Bag”, which sits alongside busts of famous faces on North Terrace, and Meyer’s own “Camouflage” outside the Adelaide Zoo.

“The idea was to look at these destinations and fundamentally to get people around the city,” he said.

“Like all public art work, it’s meant to challenge, and to bring about pause and reflection.”

An Adelaide City Council spokesman said the selected works were chosen by a panel in 2013 to celebrate the Tour Down Under.

"Paper Bag" sculpture by Michelle Nikous on North Terrace. Picture: Experience Adelaide

They were jointly funded by the local and state governments at a cost of $200,000.

The council was previously embroiled in another arts stoush in 2020, when staff signed off on Paul Sloan’s stainless steel “Pigeon” sculpture located in Rundle Mall.

The $174,000 spend went over the head of elected councillors, who said it was inappropriate timing while more than 80 staff were being laid off in cost-saving measures.

Claire Simpson-Smith, who works in the city, said she walks past “Motion” every day and didn’t notice the installation because of how “everyday” it looks.

“I’m definitely for public art, it makes the city interesting,” she said.

“I think it’s always good for artists to have opportunities - I think the bike rack is aesthetically interesting, and why not make functional things more interesting?”

Originally published as Public artworks for a bike-themed art trail have been labelled as a ‘waste of funds’, but aiming to be a ‘cheeky gesture’