Cordons around Ōtautahi’s Square have been replaced with vibrant hoardings bearing signs, symbols and geometric architectural patterns, bringing new life to a dormant cityscape. A contemporary whare made of scaffolding, plastic bread baskets, and living plants also sits as a thoughtful juxtaposition to the ruined cathedral.
Kaituhituhi Adrienne Rewi reports.
These works, by two leading New Zealand artists, Chris Heaphy and Sara Hughes, are part of the Transitional Cathedral Square Project, a Christchurch City Council initiative in collaboration with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. The works pay homage to the Māori and Pākehā history of the area.
“Because of my Ngāi Tahu heritage, I feel very privileged to be involved,” says Heaphy. “For me, to use a whare at the heart of the city was an opportunity to explore both the cultural conversations between the cathedral and the whare, and ideas around the fragility of life.
