Part of the Kiwi brain drain to Australia, Christchurch artist Mike Hewson prepares to show his new countrymen the impact of the earthquakes on his hometown and his art.
Part of Mike Hewson's installation 'Homage To Lost Spaces' in the Cramner Courts building, photographs of people riding bicycles have been inserted into a gap in the building. The photographer comments, "Cranmer Courts was very badly damaged in the quakes that unexpectedly hit Christchurch. Originally big photographs were put into the holes where the doors and windows were, but now these massive pictures have been put across the boarded up ends of the buildings to keep them alive in the minds of the people of Christchurch. The project was thought up by Mike Hewson".
Part of Mike Hewson's installation 'Homage To Lost Spaces' in the Cramner Courts building, a photograph of a young man working at a desk has been inserted into a gap in the building. The photographer comments, "Cranmer Courts in Christchurch, New Zealand was very badly damaged in the earthquakes that have rocked the City for the past two years. Mike Hewson thought he would try to bring life back into the buildings by putting photographs into the spaces where the doors and windows were. There was a month or so when no one seemed to know or admit who had put the pictures up, but it was done officially. It seems that though very badly damaged the buildings may get restored".
Damage to the Cranmer Courts. Mike Hewson's art installation, 'Homage To The Lost Spaces (Government Life Building Studio Series)' can be seen on the bottom right.
Detail of the artwork 'Homage To The Lost Spaces (Government Life Building Studio Series' by Mike Hewson. These were installed on damaged buildings, this one being the Cranmer Courts.
A PDF copy of pages 32-33 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'View From the Studio'. Photo: Andrew Hewson
A PDF copy of pages 30-31 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Homage to the Lost Spaces'. Photo: Andrew Hewson
Detail of the artwork 'Tony De In The Door (Government Life Building Studio Series' by Mike Hewson. These were installed on damaged buildings, this one being a building opposite the Cranmer Courts.
A video of interviews with four enterprising young Christchurch residents recorded two years after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The video includes interviews with Gap Filler Director Coralie Winn, Arts Centre Director Andrew Lovatt, artist Mike Hewson, and Student Volunteer Army leader Jason Pembleton. The interviewees are asked four questions: 'What do you think Christchurch city centre will look like in 10 years?', 'What do you most want to see in the new city?', 'What do you miss most about the old city?', and 'What keeps you in Christchurch?'.
A PDF copy of pages 366-367 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Government Life Suspension'.
A PDF copy of pages 364-365 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Deconstruction'.
Part of Mike Hewson's installation 'Homage To Lost Spaces' in the Cramner Courts building, a photograph of a skateboarder has been inserted into a gap in the building. The photographer comments, "Although Cranmer Courts are in ruins pictures have been inserted into the windows to make them look more 'normal'".
Part of Mike Hewson's installation 'Homage To Lost Spaces' in the Cramner Courts building, a photograph of a young man working at a desk has been inserted into a gap in the building. The photographer comments, "Although Cranmer Courts are in ruins pictures have been inserted into the windows to make them look occupied".