Eight new public art works dotted around central Christchurch as Scape 2022 kicks off

A car hanging high in the air, 3D animation, eight portraits of ancestors, a low brick wall and an interactive game all feature in the 2022 Christchurch Public Arts Festival.

Scape’s public art season, titled Sweat Equity, begins Saturday and runs through January 29.

A route has been created through the city, taking in all the new artwork from Armagh Street around the River Avon to Hereford Street, the Arts Centre, Botanic Gardens and Victoria Street. The second route will also feature 15 existing Scape artworks dotted around the city.

Eight local and international artists have contributed works for the 2022 festival, including a white car suspended high in the air on a steel structure with water constantly pouring from its windows.

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Auckland-based artist Eddie Clemens’ work was inspired by the Danish TV police drama and explores the invisible work associated with television.

Produced by former Christchurch artist Scott Flanagan​, who now lives in Port Chalmers Oh God!​, an immersive work that invites the audience to step through a thick vinyl curtain and see their perspective change.

Jon Jeet, an artist of Maniapoto and Fijian Indian descent, will present his corten steel toki. Traditionally Maori designed and used the toki – a cutting tool made from pounamu or stone – for many purposes, including gardening and wood carving.

First exhibited at the Hawaii Triennial earlier this year, the Pacific Sisters artwork comprises eight full-body portraits created in collaboration with photographer Pati Tyrell​. Each shows an ancestor and addresses the question “Who are you?”.

Wendelien Bakker​, who lives in Auckland but hails from the Netherlands and Christchurch, developed a low wall on the banks of the Avon River from recycled bricks left in storage after the Canterbury earthquakes.

Young-Hae Chang​ Heavy Industries, an art collective from Seoul, presents two video artworks with black text on a white background with jazz accompaniment.

Auckland-based Hye Rim Lee created a five-minute 3D animation depicting a vast digital dreamscape.

A sound installation and interactive multi-sensory game created by Lyttelton-based multimedia artist and wine writer Jo Burzynska​ will be in the Botanic Gardens. Speakers placed inside the pergola in the fragrant garden will amplify the sounds present in the site.

Scapa executive director Deborah McCormick​ said the organization was proud to bring more public art to Ōtautaha.

The event will add to the vibrancy of the central city and build on the legacy of creativity and innovation that Christchurch has been known for, McCormick said.

A number of special events are planned for the opening weekend, including free guided walks led by Chief Curator Jamie Hanton​ who will provide background on the artworks and artists. He will also talk about the production process and his vision for the season. Reservations are required.

Artwork from the winners of the Re:Activate Aspiring Artist Competition will be launched on Saturday and will be on display in Hagley Park.