Arena (1970) was a formal structure 2 x 2 metres square with an outer enclosure of barbed wire on galvanised steel posts 1600mm high (approximating average eye level, a middle enclosure of barbed wire (later modified to two strands of coir rope) at crotch height, an inner enclosure at knee height or rope wrapped with strips of clothing donated by friends and family. Stringing the posts with barbed wire generated a square structure superimposed on a diagonal steel cruciform base.

Arena was first exhibited with a companion piece titled Community (Small triangular structures surrounded by chopped strands of barbed wire).The barbed wire gave Arena a very aggressive stance given that the spectator's immediate contact was eye level to a strand of barbed wire, a big step from the usual gallery experience. Nevertheless Arena had far reaching connotations beyond the obvious of barbed wire shielding a soft and intimate core. Arena (and the whole notion of arena(s) led in practical terms to the development of the later work New Zealand Environment no 5, O-AR and Contact. The barbed wire enclosure became the enclosures, the means, to encircle concepts and strategies.

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