Ever dreamed your art would be visible from space? That millions of people worldwide could zoom into it with the click of a mouse? Christchurch’s freshest art competition asks participants to design a basketball court, or huge mural wall visible on Google Earth.

The competition, titled Re:ACTIVATE 2018: New Brighton, will see two new, community-driven public artworks enliven the foreshore of New Brighton. The coastal Christchurch suburb, an area hit hard by the Canterbury quakes, is already building a name for itself as a creative hub with a vibrant art and street art scene, and any artists over the age of 18 now have the opportunity to make their mark.

Re:ACTIVATE 2018: New Brighton is run by SCAPE Public Art. It is not a new initiative, but it is the first time exhibition of the winning artworks has been held in a location outside the Christchurch CBD and in conjunction with Development Christchurch Ltd (DCL). SCAPE has been delivering high quality artworks through Re:ACTIVATE every two years since 2012, and as part of this, has achieved significant attention and visitation to the exhibition sites, and boosted support for local artists.

The winner of the first Re:ACTIVATE competition, Resene Art in The Streets, was Rachael Dewhirst with her mural Kaleidoscopic Nights, 2012. At the time, she was a Fine Arts honours student at the University of Canterbury and has since gone on to establish her place as a full-time artist, exhibiting widely around New Zealand and having such distinctions as; finalist in the Parkin Prize, 2016 and her work in the collections of the James Wallace Trust and the University of Canterbury.

SCAPE Public Art Executive Director Deborah McCormick is excited to be able to facilitate the competition for artists once again. “Re:ACTIVATE is a great opportunity for anyone who considers themselves an artist, whatever stage they may be at, to have their work selected and exhibited in large-scale, visible to a wide audience,” she said.

“We are so pleased to have secured this location on the New Brighton foreshore to showcase emerging artists work in a fun and practical way. These two new Re:ACTIVATE works will add to the groundswell of art in the area and contribute to the wow-factor of New Brighton.”

Home to many artists, the neighbourhood is undergoing a lot of regeneration, and Coastal-Burwood Community Board chairperson Kim Money is equally enthusiastic and excited about this addition of public art. “We are doing all we can to make New Brighton a destination for Christchurch families and visitors alike to enjoy even more. The new beachfront playground has proven very popular and we hold some great annual events like Kite Day and are part of the World Buskers Festival. Support from SCAPE Public Art and DCL to bring a visual spectacle to our beach front is a great collaboration and further extends the appeal of the sunny, beachside environment here.”

Inspiration for the competition brief has developed from Project Backboard, a non-profit organisation in the USA that refurbishes neighbourhood basketball courts by covering them in art. Participating areas have seen increased usage of public courts and parks, and greater inter-generational play, helping people to understand each other and strengthen communities, and it is hoped the combination of art and sport will have a similar effect in Christchurch.

There is strong support in New Brighton for public art initiatives, according to the responses in the recent DCL residents’ survey conducted in April 2018. Survey responses identified public art in the area as one of the top priorities.

Canterbury Basketball General Manager Paul Duggan said, “Basketball and urban street culture have been intertwined since the early 70’s, especially in places like New York City’s Rucker Park and Venice Beach in Los Angeles.  Having an artistic element to the official FIBA 3×3 basketball court in New Brighton will enhance the sporting experience and attract participants from the wider Christchurch community. The Canterbury Basketball Association is committed to supporting this initiative and is excited to see this development occur in the eastern suburbs, where basketball and art have an already strong presence.”

Anyone over the age of 18 can enter Re:ACTIVATE 2018: New Brighton, and all entrants are encouraged to attend the 4th Re:ACTIVATE Public Art Development Workshop first.

The workshop is a practical guide for local and emerging artists, and tertiary art and design students. It covers all elements of public art delivery, including; how to respond to a brief and explore site issues, practical production requirements and expectations of delivery frameworks, funding, budgets and contracts, and the unique climate of creative opportunities in the city at present.

One of a cast of local artists and art activators speaking and advising during the workshop is Art Historian Dr. Reuben Woods, whose research has explored the performances of urban art in post-quake Christchurch. He believes the competition is a great opportunity for artists to turn their ideas into reality and provides a unique setting and scale to explore and transform. “Graffiti and street art have been major elements in the significant and continuing rebuild and recovery of the Christchurch CBD. But we have also seen them play a role in the transformation in New Brighton and other suburban areas of the city. SCAPE’s Re:ACTIVATE project provides an awesome opportunity for artists, and in a unique format that combines a significant visual platform with a functional community space.”

“Anyone with a vision for this space, even if you’re not sure how to convey it into a proposal, should come along to the workshop on 7 August. You’ll have a chance to talk to the people involved, learn more about how public art is produced and how to get your work out there,” says Deborah McCormick.

Winners will be selected by a panel made up of local community members, key organisations and art experts. Judging will take into consideration artistic quality as well as fit for the local area and its people.

The winning design for the basketball court will be implemented by Park-Life www.parklife.co.nz later this year.

The 4th Re:ACTIVATE Public Art Development Workshop will be held on Tuesday 7 August 2018 4pm – 8pm at the Grace Vineyard Church, 111-113 Seaview Road, New Brighton. It is free to attend. Registration is essential, register online here. There are 50 places available.

Re:ACTIVATE 2018: New Brighton is an open call to all emerging artists over the age of 18. The two briefs will be provided at the workshop, and are available online here.
Submission deadline is Thursday 30 August 2018.

Email further enquiries to education@scapepublicart.org.nz.