Long Modified Bench

Artist: Jeppe Hein

Year: 2011

Location: Waitematā Plaza

Winding its way through Waitematā Plaza, Jeppe Hein’s Long Modified Bench is far from your average park seat. With its ribbon-like curves, sharp turns, and rising arches, the sculptural form invites both rest and play, sparking curiosity and encouraging interaction.

Originally commissioned by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in 2011 and supported by the Edmiston Trust, the bench was first installed on a terrace overlooking Albert Park before being relocated to Waitematā Plaza in 2015. It’s part of Hein’s larger series Social Modified Bench, that developed out of his interest in proxemics, the study of how humans use space, and his belief that it is important to discover ways to connect people.

Notably, this is the first of Hein’s benches to incorporate light—adding another layer of engagement to its already dynamic design. More than just a place to sit, Long Modified Bench transforms public space into a shared experience.

Courtesy of the artist, Johann König, Berlin, and 303 Gallery, New York.