About the Season

SCAPE’s Season 2019 ignited Ōtautahi Christchurch’s outdoor spaces with stunning new contemporary artworks and events for all from 5 October to 16 November.

It was our 21st festival and we brought more than a dozen new temporary artworks by local and internationally renowned artists to the city. It was also an opportunity for people to revisit our impressive base of 15 permanent works, including VAKA ‘A HINA, by Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine that was unveiled in October 2019.

SCAPE Season 2019 took the iconic game Rock, Paper, Scissors as its starting point. Managing Curator Emma Bugden selected artworks that brought a sense of solidity and location to Ōtautahi – inspiring us to think about what home means, the emotional resonance of materials, and the patterns and rituals that help us make sense of the world.

SCAPE Public Art Walkway

The artworks were linked via the SCAPE Public Art Walkway and were complemented by a stimulating assortment of free interactive activities.

Event highlights
Most events were free of charge and included guided walks, art workshops, an exhibition at Tūranga Central Library and artist talks. Highlights included:

• Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists Finalists Exhibition
• Touch-Stones workshops – junior, young people’s and adult
• Guided walks
• Schools education programme, from 14 October
• Touch-Stones performance, parade and ceremonial installation, Saturday 16 November

Rock : Paper : Scissors

Playful strategy or a battle of wills: SCAPE Public Art 2019 took the iconic game Rock, Paper, Scissors as its starting point. The artworks that populated the city made us think and feel: about what home means, the emotional resonance of materials and the patterns and rituals that help us make sense of the world.

 

Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists

Re:ACTIVATE is a programme that promotes the creative arts by mentoring aspiring artists. 2019 was the fourth year SCAPE has partnered with Lewis Bradford Consulting Engineers to bring it to the city, with support from Christchurch City Council and Christchurch City Libraries.

The winning designs for the 2019 Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists programme were:

We Are One, Alex Sands

Sticks of Rock, Tessa Marshall

Strength in Sisterhood, Rosetta Brown, Hazel White & Georgina Jolly

Negotiation, Helena McCondach

Physiological Manipulation of Space, Emily Higham

 

Public Art Walkway

Public events

Playful strategy or a battle of wills: SCAPE Public Art 2019 takes the iconic game Rock, Paper, Scissors as its starting point. The artworks that populate the city make us think and feel: about what home means, the emotional resonance of materials and the patterns and rituals that help us make sense of the world.

Managing Curator Emma Bugden introduces more than a dozen artworks that populate the city making us think and feel: about what home means, the emotional resonance of materials and the patterns and rituals that help us make sense of the world.

Check out all the things you can see, do and explore throughout the SCAPE Public Art Season 2019, in our programme below:

Guided Walkway Tour
Saturday 9 November, 10 – 11.30am
Departs from the Arts Centre, i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 28 Worcester Boulevard

Explore the temporary and permanent artworks that form the SCAPE Public Art Walkway for Season 2019. Join experienced guide, art historian Dr Reuben Woods, as he shares insights into the artists’ practices and artworks during this enjoyable and informative walk through the central city.

• Free – all welcome, accessible tours available by appointment.
• Limited spaces, bookings essential by clicking here.
• OR email us.

Re:ACTIVATE Aspiring Artists Finalists Exhibition
Monday – Friday, 9am – 8pm
Saturday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm

Tūranga Central Library, ground floor, 60 Cathedral Square

Be wowed by selected entries from the school students who submitted design proposals for Season 2019 artworks, with designs by junior and senior students on display.

The winning designs have been produced and are on show in Hack Circle, City Mall, at the intersection of Cashel and High streets.

• Free – all welcome.

Schools Education Programme
Monday – Friday (from 14 October to 6 December)
10am and 12.30pm daily (excludes Labour Day Monday & Show Day Friday)

Tūranga Central Library, Activity Room Level 1, 60 Cathedral Square

School and community groups can get involved in this free education programme that offers art-making activities linked to the New Zealand Curriculum. The programme builds on students’ existing art skills and will help them develop new ways of thinking and working – through exploration, discussion and recording ideas visually.
Group activities focus on artworks from the SCAPE Public Art Season 2019 that derives its theme from the iconic game Rock, Paper, Scissors. Students will respond to concepts such as identity, belonging, cultural myths, diversity and community.

Choose from:
• VAKA ‘A HINA (2019), by Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine – the city’s newest permanent public artwork.
• Made in China (2010) by internationally acclaimed Chinese contemporary artist Sui Jianguo, in partnership with Canterbury Museum.
• Touch-Stones (2019), an evolving community engagement project with artist Audrey Baldwin.
• Conduct Cumulus (2017) by Seung Yul Oh, modelling in three dimensions.
• Free – all welcome. *Limited spaces, bookings essential

The People Have Spoken! Anderson Lloyd People’s Choice Award –
Vote and Win Return Flights to China
Throughout the festival
SCAPE Public Art Walkway
Vote for your favourite Season 2019 artwork and you could win return flights for two to China, thanks to generous sponsors China Southern Airlines. Simply fill in the SCAPE Season 2019 survey at www.scapepublicart.org.nz for your chance to win.

Biketober
Self-guided
City-wide

As part of Biketober’s Passport Challenge, hop on your bike to visit SCAPE’s towering new permanent artwork at Rauora Park in the East Frame – VAKA ‘A HINA, by Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine.
• Saturday 5 October, 8pm: Rainbow Rave, Biketober’s grand opening event – a light-hearted cruise around the city that departs 145 Worcester Street.
• Free – all welcome.

Throughout the season

For the complete week by week programme and opening weekend programme, download it here:

Download Public events programme
Download Opening Weekend programme