The Otago Settlers Museum is hoping to install an unusual "sonic well" art project in the Octagon as its contribution to the Rugby World Cup next year.
The initiative of Sydney-based artist Allan Giddy, the well would allow people in Dunedin to speak directly to people at another set up in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The plan was noted yesterday at a Dunedin City Council public meeting to discuss the Octagon fan zone to be held in conjunction with the 2011 world cup.
Museum acting director Jennifer Evans said yesterday the museum had less space for exhibitions while redevelopment was under way.
Until it was finished, the museum was "very keen" to try new ideas and new locations.
Giddy had approached the museum with the idea, as he was looking for cities with sister cities on the other side of the world.
Ms Evans said the museum was "very interested" and had seen the opportunity to make the project its world cup initiative.
The location of the "well" in both Edinburgh and Dunedin was still to be finalised, but it would make the most of Dunedin's sister-city link with Edinburgh, and the Scottish team's visit during the tournament.
Giddy, who was born in Morrinsville, New Zealand, practises "active public art" in his works and has set up a well linking Sydney and Cork, in Ireland, that allowed each to listen to ambient sound from the other using internet technology.
For the Dunedin project, the "virtual hole through the Earth" would allow people in Dunedin and Edinburgh to talk to each other at certain times of the day, using the same technology.
Museum director Linda Wigley was investigating the Edinburgh end of the project and it was hoped she would soon confirm it.
At yesterday's meeting, some Octagon business owners, including Ra Bar and Cafe owner Beth O'Connor, called for the fan zone to be set up from 6am rather than the suggested time of 1pm.
The earlier starting time would lessen disruption from setting up the zone, and bring people into the Octagon earlier.
Council marketing communications agency manager Debra Simes said she would be "hesitant" to do so, as the fan zone would need a "critical mass" of people to develop an atmosphere, and that would be difficult to attract early.
There was some support for having marquees during the world cup, though Ms Simes noted the Octagon could lose the "flow" the council wanted, and they took time to set up.
Ms Simes said nothing was "fixed in concrete" for the event, and the feedback from the meeting would be considered, bearing in mind the budget, which was yet to be fixed, and the council's ability to provide a strong live performance programme.
The submission period for feedback on the fan zone ends on November 22, and development services manager Kevin Thompson said a report on the issue would go before councillors early next year.
