A new moving image projection and sound work on the former Christchurch City Council Municipal Chambers building will explore journeys past and present – including that of the building itself.
The installation, called Te Haerenga is part of Tātai Whetū, Tātai Tangata – a gathering of stars and people – the Council-produced cultural festival marking Matariki in Ōtautahi, which begins on Wednesday night.
Visual artist Sam Emerson (Ngāi Tahu) and sound artist and DJ Bea Gladding (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou) have created the eight-minute work exploring southern environments and journeys to faraway lands.
The theme was partly informed by the location for the projection, which is next to the statue of famed Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott.
“It’s a journeys-inspired visual trip – some parts are more literal, showing snow or waves or the wind that comes up from Antarctica – and some are more like the journey of the Municipal Chambers building,” Council said in a statement.
Expect to see a variety of imagery projected onto the building, from old scientific maps and whale illustrations to hand drawn elements created by Sam Emerson himself.
“There’s also a lot of 3D work where I’ve recreated the building so I can move lights around the surface and create shadows and movement,” says Mr Emerson, who last year created a projection for the Christ Church Cathedral at the Tīrama Mai Festival.
“I could only use certain colour spectrums because the building is red brick. I couldn’t use blues for instance, and some reds get washed out. Even the mortar between the bricks can give its own effect so it’s more whites and high contrasts that I’ve used.”
Tātai Whetū, Tātai Tangata runs from Wednesday 8 July to Saturday 11 July, 5pm-9pm, with events and installations centred around Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Worcester Blvd, Oxford Tce and Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.
