A photograph of volunteers creating the Outdoor Music Room.
A photograph of a band performing at the Outdoor Music Room.
A photograph of the empty site where the Outdoor Music Room is to be created.
A PDF copy of pages 14-15 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Rent Party Club'. Photos: Laura Harper. With permission: Rent Party Club.
A PDF copy of pages 302-303 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Outdoor Music Room'. Photos with permission from Greening the Rubble
A photograph of a band performing at Gap Filler's first project.
A photograph of the audience at the Songs For Christchurch launch.
A photograph of the audience at the Songs For Christchurch launch.
A photograph of a band performing at the Songs For Christchurch launch.
A photograph of a group of people at the Songs For Christchurch launch.
A photograph of a group of people at the Songs For Christchurch launch.
A photograph of a turbaned man sitting on top of a pillar at the Songs For Christchurch launch.
A black and white photograph of performers at the Songs For Christchurch launch. In the foreground, an audience member gives the thumbs up to the camera.
A PDF copy of pages 374-375 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Songs for Christchurch Launch'. Photos: Barnaby Bennett, FLEDGE
A PDF copy of pages 316-317 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Art Beat'. Photos of stage and graffiti works fledge.co.nz. Photos of building and loss adjusters courtesy of the social.
Context of the project: On 4 September 2010, 22 February 2011, 13 June 2011 and 23 December 2011 Christchurch suffered major earthquakes and aftershocks (well over 10,000) that have left the central city in ruins and many of the eastern suburbs barely habitable even now. The earthquakes on 22 February caused catastrophic loss of life with 185 people killed. The toll this has taken on the residents of Christchurch has been considerable, not least of all for the significant psychological impact and disruption it has had on the children. As the process of rebuilding the city commenced, it became clear that the arts would play a key role in maintaining our quality of life during difficult times. For me, this started with the children and the most expressive of all the art forms – music.
Tina, the debut feature film of Miki Magasiva is a love letter to both Samoan culture and how choral music, across cultures, can assist people in change. The way art can enable acceptance of the richness of our difference. But Tina is also centrally about how Pasifika women are leaders in taking culture forward. The title translates in English as mother, or female elder. And in the lead role Anapela Polata'ivao plays Mareta, a mother struggling after the death of her daughter in the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake. Taking on a job as a teacher at a wealthy Pakeha-dominated private school, Mareta connects with kids who it turns out also really need support. She takes them all the way to the Big Sing National Choir Competition. Anapela Polata'ivao gives a remarkable performance. She is the constant, complex beating heart of this movie. As a director and actor Anapela has long played a significant leadership role in bringing Pacific voices to stage and screen, and last year became an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of her service. We welcomed her to Culture 101 to play 'Fast Favourites' where her choices were Lindah Lepou, Jordyn with a Why and writer directors Arianne Mnouchkine, Vela Manusaute and Nina Nawalowalo.