New Public Art For Central Christchurch The 6th Scape

Christchurch Biennial of Art in Public Space will proceed later this year after being twice interrupted by Christchurch’s earthquakes. Originally planned for launch in late September 2010, and subsequently for March 2011, the Art & Industry Biennial Trust is pleased to announce that many of the planned artworks will be installed in the central city later this year to coincide with the Christchurch Arts Festival and Body Festival.

SCAPE has been installing contemporary public art by local, national and internationally renowned artists in central Christchurch for over a decade. This year’s rethought event will continue this trend, with artists from New Zealand, Turkey, and Australia producing large-scale public art for temporary installation at new sites to inject a fresh hope and life around the central city.

Deborah McCormick, Director of SCAPE says “The artistic provocations that were developed by the 6th SCAPE curators and artists in early 2010 are still very relevant to the city rebuild issues in post-earthquake Christchurch. Artists were asked to explore the city as a collective civic space and to consider how we could achieve a more viable, populated and environmentally sustainable inner city. We expect that these artworks will inform and stimulate discussion, feeding into the process of re-planning our city that is currently underway.”

Four thought-provoking, large-scale artists’ works are confirmed for Christchurch. Darryn George of Christchurch’s The Lambs’ Book of Life (Folder Wall) will wrap the entire side of a central city building. Turkish artist Ahmet Öğüt’s interactive carousel Waiting for a Bus will provide a location for people to stop and consider the changing face of their city. Ash Keating’s fictional property development Gardensity will be able to be visited both physically and online at www.gardensity.co.nz . Anton Parsons’ Passing Time, a permanent installation, was installed in late 2010.

6th SCAPE is operating two earthquake recovery fundraising initiatives. An art auction featuring works by 27 highly regarded national and international SCAPE participant artists including Bill Culbert, Tacita Dean and Lonnie Hutchinson will be held on the 6th of August in Auckland. Additionally, a limited edition of t-shirts designed by SCAPE artist Anton Parsons are being sold online at www.scapebiennial.org.nz .

“While the challenges facing Christchurch in the rebuild are on-going, the Art & Industry Biennial Trust (producers of SCAPE) are delighted to be able to collaborate with the city, our local supporters and other events to deliver these significant public works of art at a time when people need artistic inspiration and sustenance” says Bob Blyth, Chairman of the Art & Industry Biennial Trust.

Public Programmes will also be offered as part of the 6th SCAPE Christchurch Biennial of Art in Public Space. Discussion panels, artist talks and children’s activities will be commencing in August.

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