Ōtākaro Plant Parade by Fiona Jack for SCAPE 8

Fiona Jack Ōtākaro Plant Parade 2015. Commissioned by SCAPE Public Art. Image courtesy of the artist. Photo by Bridgit Anderson.

[image caption] The Ōtākaro Plant Parade took place at 11am on Sunday 4th October, walking 1.1 kilomtres along the banks of the Ōtākaro Avon river from the corner of Kilmore and Madras to the Hereford Street Bridge.

Ōtākaro Plant Parade was an artwork by Fiona Jack which was developed for SCAPE 8: New Intimacies. Fiona spent time in Christchurch talking with people and learning about ecological stories and histories of the Garden City. Along with some local collaborators, Fiona handmade a number of banners that weaved a web of connections across the flora and social groups of Christchurch, from the historic trees planted by Samuel Barker along Oxford Terrace, to the daffodils which appear every year through the efforts of the Christchurch Beautifying Association; from the Cabbage tree at Burnside High School to the self-seeding weeds that occupy the city’s vacant lots.

Individuals, families, members of societies and lovers of plants were invited to join the parade, to bring along their own banners, dress up, or take their pot plants for a walk. The documentation of this project is on display at the Ibis Hotel Christchurch.