Embarrassment for the Gold Coast as council votes to remove a $2.1million light installation spelling out the city's name - because drivers can't read it from the road
- The Gold Coast council have voted to remove a $2.1 million light installation
- Ada Tolla, the US artist behind the sign labelled the decision as 'a real insult'
- Councillors argued the sculpture could only be read by those on the side roads
- The removal of the sign will cost taxpayers $255,000 and $1 million to relocate
An American artist has slammed the decision to remove her controversial $2.1 million light installation - and doing so will cost taxpayers $255,000.
Gold Coast councillors voted to remove the sign in the middle of the M1 in Yatala, north east of the city on Tuesday in the hopes New York based designer Ada Tolla will buy it back.
'This is a real insult. The installation is completely site-specific ... the sculpture follows and adapts to the highway constraints and regulations,' Ms Tolla told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Councillors argued during a transport committee meeting the sign named 'HI-LIGHTS' could not be clearly read in all angles.
Gold Coast councillors have voted to remove a light installation in the middle of the M1 in Yatalla
The sculpture (pictured) named 'HI-LIGHTS' was installed before the Commonwealth Games in 2018
'The sculpture was meant to be experienced in motion, in one direction and then reverse, depending on the direction of traffic.
'It was never envisioned as a ''sign'' to be seen straight on,' she said.
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Ada Tolla (pictured) has slammed the council for their decision
The piece is comprised of 97 light poles that spell out 'Gold Coast' when lit up at night and was installed before the Commonwealth Games in April 2018.
Councillor Dawn Crichlow said relocating the installation would cost $1million while the removal would cost $255,000.
Ms Tolla was saddened to realise authorities had plans to dismantle the piece and place it in a council depot before the poles and lights were placed in parks.
The pieces will be redistributed if Ms Tolla declines to take back the piece within a ten-day period.
The artist was initially invited to submit a proposal for a 'large piece of public art' after a council email wrote the city was 'searching for an artist to deliver iconic gateways to Gold Coast'.
The piece is 100m in length, 11m in height and is comprised of 97 light poles that spell out 'Gold Coast'
