Up Front by Emma Hart

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Up Front: One, Redux

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  • Paul Williams, in reply to Deborah,

    Yes, because there’s not a lot we can do, except listen, and listen, and listen, for as long as people in Christchurch want to talk. Or not, just as suits each person living in Christhchurch.

    Deborah's said what I would've.

    Emma, thanks for your wonderful writing. PAS, with the many new and old voices, has helped me connect with this tragedy despite being on the other side of the ditch.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Reid,

    I spent 12.51 at my son's primary school. The kids all stood in 'The Big Field' in the class rows, surrounded by a large circle of parents, for two minutes of silence. It had a good feeling - the school community was there to remember people's loss and be there together to support our kids. The kids quietly sang a waiata, released balloons, and went down to the Heathcote to throw flowers and petals in the river.

    South Africa • Since Nov 2006 • 80 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Reid,

    The poor ducks looked a bit confused though - what is this inedible crap you're throwing in our river?!?.

    South Africa • Since Nov 2006 • 80 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Matthew Reid,

    Ourboys' school did similar, (by the Heathcote River too) and it was emotional: sad, fearful (of a big shake right then) and lovely. And now l a burden has passed in some strange way.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to Lilith __,

    There have been so few opportunities to forget the distress and tragedy of our ongoing situation

    Yes! Turned off the radio at about 7.10 today. Plenty to be getting on with. Not my time for looking back. I quite understand people do want to spend those moments together, though. At the university, a big crowd gathered for the memorial ceremony. Ok, lectures were stopped, and it was the only show on campus. But still: there's a place for public ceremony. We don't do it brilliantly in NZ, maybe, but still.
    And this.

    Today, we’ll all find our own paths. The only wrong attitude is not to understand that.

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • tim oliver,

    The traffic cones thing is pretty amazing. On the way to work today I passed ~150 cones. I didn't see one without a flower.

    Since May 2011 • 8 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    Attachment

    Church Corner, Upper Riccarton.

    Thanks Joe, I've been out and about. I bought a Japanese vase in the op shop. I got home, got out the car. the dog pushed me ,I dropped the vase, it is now in the bin.That has been my moment of silence. Instead of having it to admire and rearrange the entire room to accommodate it, I will now post a pic of a sculpture my friend has. It is a Virginia King piece called ..........not sure.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

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    And just to give one an idea of size. It is big and amazing. I have always found the words powerful.It may help someone down there??

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart, in reply to tim oliver,

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    From my phone, down my street.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

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    And just around the bend, something a little brighter.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Islander, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    What a glorious sculpture!
    It’s basic shape is a paper nautilus but – the words, the words…

    Sorry about the vase -

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • chris, in reply to Emma Hart,

    I love that second pic, it tells a great story and smells like home.

    Mawkland • Since Jan 2010 • 1302 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Dave Patrick,

    I'm not sure if it counts as confirming the rumour that they're doing the easy bits first, but there are a LOT of driveways and fences getting replaced out in Rangiora,

    Seems almost off-topic today, but it might be partly because those don't require much design/consent work. Or it's just more of the unfortunate bias towards the setting sun.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    It's so nice to see the flowers and the cones show a unity, also nice to see.
    Yes Islander it is a glorious piece. I thought the words were quite appropriate here. Enjoy.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Tony Kennedy,

    I want to live in a Wellington where the weather isn't shit.

    Can I just add that if you ever do decide to join the Christchurch diaspora now domiciled in Wellington you would be a very welcome addition to the wellington community

    You would have to adapt to the weather though :-)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 225 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Russell Brown,

    growing up in Christchurch and knowing that so many of the places I used to play are gone

    But surely, you grew up in Timaru :-p

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to tim oliver,

    traffic flowers...

    The traffic cones thing is pretty amazing.

    I have to agree, driving today their omnipresence made me smile a lot more than normal, this was in effect the river of flowers that would normally have graced the Cathedral at this time of year...

    The initiative's initiator, Henry Sunderland, is a local, if not national, treasure, many of you will remember him and his twin brother Eddie (sadly now deceased) and their regular spot on an after school TV show back in the latter part of the 20th century, they also put a book out of creative things to do with all sorts of things, Henry has created many 'art cars' in chchch and is a world famous Gnomologist, he is also on the trust that does the Kidsfest each year in Chchch as well as lecturing at the Polytech as Joe pointed out...

    Pete Majendies, who created the '185 white chairs piece' is also an indefatigable creator, an old mate of Michael Leunig back in Australia, he created the Christmas Ark on the vacant Sydenham school site last christmas, and each preceding year he has created large public christmas installations that give people a chance to reflect (usually in Latimer square or The Square) as well many smaller personal artworks, he does a good line in visual puns, too...

    it is these individual initiatives and responses that speak loudest to me and reinforce the place of art as one of the pillars of a balanced society...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe,

    We beheaded the garden to take flowers to school for the river ceremony

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe,

    Attachment

    ..

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe,

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    Flowers in the Heathcote River, Hansens Park.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    Wonderful sculpture; shame about the vase.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Hebe,

    Corolla corollary drollery...

    Flowers in the Heathcote River, Hansens Park.

    I guess that is what they call the 'Monet Shot"?
    :- )

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    My younger son's class spent Tuesday afternoon making flowers to put in the cones and it felt good to go down and beautify the cones round the hole on our corner (we took hydrangeas from the garden too) and to see what other people had added. The school run this morning was wonderful and surprisingly affecting.

    I spent today at school with my kids like I did last year except it was completely different with school at a new venue and so many faces missing. It felt like the right thing to do but there was definitely an emptiness at the heart.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I guess that is what they call the 'Monet Shot"?
    :- )

    Nice. Truth was it was annoyingly out of focus, so I fiddled with it. I am not finding the Fuji an easy companion -- many functions but we are not yet clicking.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Hebe,

    Oh. That's so beautiful, Hebe. Thank you.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

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