2007 Free Flight
2007 Free Flight
The winged form of the sculpture is intended to signify speed, a shape that could be imagined as moving rapidly through space.
Outside Cookie Time Bakery Shop, 789 Main South Road, Templeton, Christchurch
Commentary
Commissioned by the Dyslexia Foundation, this sculpture is designed to reflect the dreams of speed and flight of Christchurch inventor and engineer, John Britten.
Britten, who was dyslexic, developed and built the world record-setting Britten racing motorcycle.
Dibble worked with Britten’s wife Kirsteen to design Free Flight, which stands in part as a memorial to her late husband.
The winged form of the sculpture is intended to signify speed, a shape that could be imagined as moving rapidly through space.
On one wing is a large B, in the style of the logo on Britten’s motorbikes, next to the words “the boy who could do better” - a quote from an old school report. On the other wing sits a globe with New Zealand at the top, signifying Britten’s success.
The sculpture was originally installed outside the Dyslexia Foundation headquarters on Worcester Boulevard, across from the Christchurch Arts Centre. After the Foundation vacated the premises, Free Flight was moved to its current location outside the Cookie Time Bakery Shop as part of a dyslexia discovery exhibit thanks in part to the Cookie Time Charitable Trust.