This spring festival, a world-class art event comes into full bloom in Christchurch in October. It is the 20th anniversary of the annual SCAPE Public Art festival so expect celebrations to be large-scale, impressive and unforgettable.

A towering bronze sculpture by world renowned artist Tony Cragg, a glittering gala dinner with Justin Paton (Curator of International Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and famed author of How to Look at a Painting), and more than a dozen daring new public artworks for Christchurch by some of the most exciting artists in the world, are just a few of the offerings that make up the SCAPE Public Art Season 2018 (6 October – 17 November).

The 5.5m metre tall, bronze sculpture Mixed Feelings by Tony Cragg has already been announced as one of the SCAPE Season 2018 artworks, with further contributing projects to be revealed as the countdown ticks towards Friday 5 October – when opening weekend begins.

The announcement of artworks now flows into the build towards the season opening and includes favourites by artists returning from Seasons past; Michel de Broin, Paul Hartigan and Caroline Rothwell. New presentations include a selection from Tom Dale, Hannah Beehre, Erica van Zon, Piri Cowie, Brett Graham, Chris Ulutupu, Ben Pearce and George Rickey. The 20th anniversary will also be marked by the permanent installation of artworks by Nathan Pohio, David McCracken and a new commission by Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine.

Eclectic, artistic, intellectually enquiring and a little bit off the wall – this is the Christchurch that locals know and love. Where the city’s charms were largely shrouded during the post-earthquake rebuild, the revitalisation of many places of significance and nostalgia is seeing this uniquely Christchurch spirit radiate once again in its people and spaces.

Christchurch is a city building a reputation for its urban art and ingenuity in hospitality, architecture and public spaces. The combination of old and new – the beloved Christchurch Trams, Tūranga (the city’s new state of the art central city library), the Arts Centre, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, CoCA, the Botanic Gardens – all will feature as locations in this SCAPE Season.

For this year’s 20th anniversary Season, SCAPE Public Art Executive Director, Deborah McCormick has been delighted to secure an enviable lineup, “I’m very excited about what we have planned. Artistically it is a high quality selection that, I believe, any major city worldwide would be proud to exhibit. Adding our own uniquely Christchurch flavour makes it all the more special.”

“We have been growing the SCAPE Seasons over 20 years, and now, featuring the likes of Tony Cragg and Justin Paton, the high calibre of the event is front and centre. It’s a must-see for both arts professionals and enthusiasts. Our offering is free-to-view and particpate in – the festival is truly for everyone,” she said.

Loren Heaphy, General Manager of Destination and Attraction at Christchurch NZ says, “SCAPE Public Art and its philosophy is inextricably integrated with the spirit of Christchurch. It’s an important event on our local calendar in spring, and many visitors nationally and internationally make a pilgrimage to experience the annual event.”

“It’s a great time to visit Christchurch, there are new things popping up all the time as more and more people are exploring our new central city. Events are a great way to experience our Christchurch lifestyle and SCAPE’s Seasons are not to be missed.”

SCAPE Curator, Heather Galbraith’s selection is based on the theme Our Braided Future.

“For this momentous occasion,” she said, “We’re looking back at SCAPE’s history and the artworks that they’ve developed in response to Ōtautahi Christchurch, as well as casting our minds to the possible futures facing the city and its peoples where multiple voices and perspectives are heard and valued. We’ve brought together works from SCAPE’s archives, with existing works never before seen in the region, and brand new artworks too.”

The public can view the artworks – for free – and participate in a diverse public programme, during the six-week season, from Saturday 6 October – Saturday 17 November 2018. But to taste the festival at it’s freshest, when the artworks are the talk of the town, and artists and curator are visiting for the big reveal, one must consider attending the opening weekend.

A weekend of intense art appreciation, it’s your time to mingle with the people and artists involved, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and be one of the first to interact with the artworks and limited-time-only activities arranged to compliment their opening.

What’s On – Opening Weekend

Lights, camera, action! Friday (5 October) evening will commence with a vibrant whānau fashion show in the Arts Centre’s Great Hall. With artistic direction from Ngāi Tahu artist, Piri Cowie, every garment has been painstakingly thought through, using only natural dyes and customised patterns inspired by nature and her Ngāi Tahu cultural heritage. Beyond Opening Weekend, Piri’s works will transform into a participatory project. The event will feature kapa haka, waiata, mahinga kai and unique taonga made by the artist. It is titled MAURI MOANA –

ko Au Te Moana ko Te Moana ko Au,
I am the Ocean and the Ocean is me.

The same night, watch as the foyer and façade of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū is illuminated in a kaleidoscope of multi-coloured lights moving and reflecting around the architecture and surfaces. Paul Hartigan’s, Alphabetica Redux 2004/18 is a blast from the past, one of the people’s favourites from an earlier SCAPE Season returning as part of 20th anniversary celebrations. He’ll be on-site drawing the images live as they’re projected, on 5 October 2018 only. It’s an immersive and otherworldly experience, a 3D visual spectacle that brings the space to life after dark.

Gala Dinner

20th anniversary celebrations; the glittering black tie Gala Dinner and the Anderson Lloyd SCAPE Public Art Business and Arts Partnership Awards ceremony, begins. It will be a night of sublime entertainment; including a certain raven haired trubador who cannot yet be officially announced (stay tuned for updates…), and the acclaimed guest speaker Justin Paton.

Tables of corporate sponsors, art influencers, plus you and yours (secure your tickets now), will be dining with the SCAPE artists, swinging to the fabulous live music, and diving into the inner workings of one of the most prolific public art producing organisations in New Zealand. It only comes around every 20 years, and it’s an extraordinary history worthy of celebration.

Sunday (7 October) will be one for learning, exploring, discovering and lively discussion. There are many opportunities to get out in the spring sunshine on the Public Art Walkway guided walks, or take your chance to ask a question of our artists during public talks. It’s astounding how much thought and preparation goes into a SCAPE Season artwork, and attendees can pick up some cool insider tips to be shared with friends next time you’re in central Christchurch.

Pictured: Paul Hartigan Alphabetica Redux 2004/18. The artist previews his work in the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Image courtesy of the artist and SCAPE Public Art. Photo by Jade Cavalcante.