Interactive sculpture chosen for CPIT commemoration

15 August 2012

Interactive sculpture chosen for CPIT commemoration

Chris Reddington’s sound sculpture concept Song Song (A Musical Bridge) has been selected as CPIT’s earthquake commemoration artwork, the CPIT Council has announced.

The Christchurch-based artist, who is a CPIT Art and Design graduate and former CPIT Jazz School student, impressed the judging panel with his concept of an interactive and human-sized enclosure. The artwork will create a contemplative space on the lawn next to the Rakaia Centre and will be unveiled for the anniversary of the 22 February.

“The elemental nature of these vibrations and resonances would provide quiet yet transformative experiences relating to losses and scarring from the recent earthquakes; via the formal physical properties of vibrations, plates, tensions and movement, but also through the symbolic bridging of other metaphysical distances,” Reddington’s proposal stated.

A self-employed sculptor of 10 years, Reddington has worked with local artists Neil Dawson and Graham Bennett (on Reasons for Voyaging sculpture outside the Christchurch Art Gallery). In 2004 he established the contemporary music group Silencio Ensemble and has worked on a number of projects exploring musical crossover with live sculptural performances, film, theatre and light. Since 2008 he has also worked as the technician for the University of Canterbury’s Theatre and Film department.

The artwork features two curved steel plates that create a space for people to enter. Inside they will find 28 strings attached to each plate that can be plucked or strummed to create an acoustic interplay with the sculpture.

“CPIT felt it really important to acknowledge those who had a connection with CPIT and perished in the February 2011 earthquake. Chris’ sound sculpture concept is sensitive and very well considered work,” CPIT Council Chair Jenn Bestwick said. “It will be an appropriate and enduring memorial to the 28 CPIT whanau who lost their lives as well as a place where all of us can contemplate the many changes to our own lives and our city.”

The commemoration artwork was an initiative of the CPIT council. The judging panel consisted of CPIT Chief Executive Kay Giles, CPIT Council member Lynne Harata Te Aika , artist Neil Dawson and CPIT tutor/artist Bing Dawe.

ENDS

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