An intermittent collaboration between the Centre of Contemporary Art and a series of local artists looking to present new work which explores the realities of the post-earthquake cultural landscape in Christchurch. The artworks by Ed Lust, Sam Eng, and Robyn Wester each utilise the empty window space of the window and carport of the damaged COCA building which is awaiting repair.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 5 August 2013 entitled, "Neither window nor wall".
Located on the edge of two tectonic plates, New Zealand has numerous fault lines and seismic risk across the whole country. The way this risk is communicated affects whether people prepare effectively or at all. Research has shown that perceptions of risk are affected by slight changes in wording, and that probabilities commonly reported by experts and media are often interpreted subjectively based on context. In the context of volcanoes, research has found that given a certain probability of a volcano in a specific time window, people perceive risk as higher in later time intervals within that window. The present study examines this pattern with regard to earthquakes and aftershocks in the New Zealand context. Participants in both Wellington (N = 102) and Christchurch (N = 98) were presented an expert statement of earthquake risk within a given time window in Wellington and aftershock risk in Christchurch, and asked to rate their perception of risk in specific intervals across the time window. For a Wellington earthquake, participants perceived risk as incrementally higher toward the end of the 50 year time window whereas for a Christchurch aftershock, risk perception increased slightly for the first three intervals of the 12 month time window. Likelihood of preparing was constant over the time windows, with Wellington citizens rating themselves more likely than Christchurch citizens to prepare for either an earthquake or aftershock, irrespective of current level of preparedness. These findings suggest that people view earthquakes as more likely later toward the end of a given time window and that they view aftershocks very differently to scientific predictions.
A photograph of the house number spray-painted on one of the windows of 468 Oxford Terrace.
The Canterbury earthquakes succeeded in all but destroying modern-day Christchurch, but from the rubble has emerged a surprising bonus - an insight into the city's history.
A photograph of the house at 424 Oxford Terrace. The glass and casings of the windows have been removed. Wire fencing has been placed across the front of the property as a cordon.
A photograph of the house at 468 Oxford Terrace. The grass has been mowed but the dead grass has not been removed. The house number has been spray-painted on one of the windows.
A photograph of the house at 468 Oxford Terrace. The grass has been mowed but the dead grass has not been removed. The house number has been spray-painted on one of the windows.
A broken window in the Canterbury Pacific Trust building on Worcester Street.
Broken windows and 'For Lease' signs on Natcoll House on Hereford Street.
A PDF copy of pages 106-107 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'COCA Windows Project'. Photos: Ed Lust, Chloe Geoghegan. With permission: COCA Gallery.
The cordoned-off Design and Arts College building on Worcester Street. The windows have been boarded up.
A photograph of an architectural detail above a window of Donna Allfrey's house at 406 Oxford Terrace.
The iStay building viewed from Liverpool Street. A broken window and warped awning can be seen over the security fence.
Broken windows and damaged cladding on the iStay building. Security fences have been placed around the building to restrict access.
Broken and open windows in the Canterbury Pacific Trust building on Worcester Street, viewed from behind security fencing. The interior of the building has been gutted.
A broken window in the Canterbury Pacific Trust building on Worcester Street, viewed from behind security fencing. The interior of the building has been gutted.
A damaged building on Liverpool Street. A sign in the window reads, 'Our family home'. Security fencing has been placed around the building to restrict access.
A photograph of Robin Duff's house at 386 Oxford Terrace. The grass has not been mowed and one of the windows has been boarded up with plywood. A yellow sticker on the door indicates that the access to the house is restricted. There is also a sign in the window to the left, depicting a bulldozer with a line through it. The photographer comments, "Avon Loop resident Donna Allfrey made the sign for Duff".
A photograph of Robin Duff's house at 386 Oxford Terrace. The grass has not been mowed and one of the windows has been boarded up with plywood. A yellow sticker on the door indicates that the access to the house is restricted. There is also a sign in the window to the left, depicting a bulldozer with a line through it. The photographer comments, "Avon Loop resident Donna Allfrey made the sign for Duff".
When this building was first brought on site I spent a few hours removing the tape/paper that had been covering every window.
An abandoned cafe located in the Pavilion building on Cashel Street. Magazines and newspapers are laid out on the counter and the reflection of Les Mills Gym can be seen in the window.
An abandoned cafe located in the Pavilion building on Cashel Street. A dead plant, magazines, and newspapers are laid out on the counter and the reflection of Les Mills Gym car park can be seen in the window.
A photograph of the house at 466 Oxford Terrace. The house number has been spray-painted on one of the windows. Wire fencing has been placed across the front of the property as a cordon.
A photograph of Robin Duff's house at 386 Oxford Terrace. Plastic sheeting has been placed over sections of the house to keep it water tight. One of the windows has also been boarded up with plywood.
A photograph of Robin Duff's house at 386 Oxford Terrace. The garden is overgrown and one of the windows has been boarded up with plywood. A yellow sticker on the door indicates that the access to the house is restricted.
A photograph of Robin Duff's house at 386 Oxford Terrace. The garden has overgrown and one of the windows has been boarded up with plywood. A yellow sticker on the door indicates that the access to the house is restricted.
A photograph of Robin Duff standing on the porch of his house at 386 Oxford Terrace. There is a sign in the window to his left depicting a bulldozer with a line through it. The photographer comments, "Avon Loop resident Donna Allfrey made this sign for Duff".
A photograph of Robin Duff standing on the porch of his house at 386 Oxford Terrace. There is a sign in the window to his left depicting a bulldozer with a line through it. The photographer comments, "Avon Loop resident Donna Allfrey made this sign for Duff".
A photograph of Robin Duff standing on the porch of his house at 386 Oxford Terrace. There is a sign in the window to his left depicting a bulldozer with a line through it. The photographer comments, "Avon Loop resident Donna Allfrey made this sign for Duff".