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Seven Steps To Heven

Image by Keith Miller

11. Seven Steps to Heaven

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Artist Mary-Louise Brown
Year
Location On an elevated lawn on the western side of Civic Square
Tour directions From Fault, walk towards the elevated lawn at the western end of Civic Square

Seven-year itch

The number seven is regularly asscribed mystical powers. It is relevant in many religious contexts (days of creation, sins, sacraments, Islam's seven heavens, seven chakras...).

Sculpture background

Seven Steps to Heaven comprises seven basalt stepping stones laid out on an elevated lawn in Civic Square. Each stone is inscribed with a three-letter word, progressing from SEA to SKY, with one letter only changing with each step.

The full word ladder is made up of: SEA, SEE, SET, SAT, SAD, SAY, SKY. The word ladder could exist without the words SEE and SAD, but seeing and sadness are important parts of any journey.

To experience the full sculpture, the viewer must walk forwards along the grass, completing the journey of the sculpture physically and mentally.

Wellington City Council commissioned the sculpture after winning Creative New Zealand's inaugural Creative Places Award. 

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