As we celebrate Māori Language Week – Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and on the eve of National Poetry Day a well-known whakataukī (proverb) fittingly describes the work of Christchurch’s Gap Filler Charitable Trust –
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is people! It is people! It is people!
Gap Filler is an urban regeneration initiative started in response to the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes. The team at Gap Filler along with an army of volunteers, temporarily “activate” vacant sites with creative projects. The result is a series of imaginative spaces that engage and entertain as they bring people together.
Look out for Gap Filler projects around Christchurch.
Poetica – Instant Poetry Wall
614 Colombo Street (formerly Begg’s Music)
From Friday 27 July, 2012 (National Poetry Day)
The Poetica site provides a blackboard space to write in chalk your own instant poem or post an existing poem that has inspired you. Poets can take a picture of their work and post it on the Poetica Facebook page. The 4 poems that are “liked” the most will be painted onto the Poetica wall.
Monopoly on Manchester Street
Corner Manchester & Dundas Streets (formerly the Cycle Trading Company)
From Monday 9 July, 2012
Helen Trappitt, a structural engineer, has transformed an empty lot into a Monopoly-inspired game piece. She came up with the idea after studying aerial photographs of Christchurch’s central-city red-zone buildings.
I Seem To Have Temporarily Lost My Sense of Humour
Collaboration with Christchurch Art Gallery
On Colombo Street, between Carlye & Byron Streets
From 23 December, 2011
Inspired by memories of his grandfather’s workshop, Wayne Youle has designed a huge shadowboard like those found in sheds and garages everywhere. Alongside hammers and other tools, Wayne’s board contains some familiar but unexpected things – like houses, toys and wedding rings. Wayne says, “this mural is for all those who lent their tools and their hands to all who needed help. Also to all those that lost something in the quakes, no matter what that something may have been. Don’t lose your sense of humour and ability to smile.”
Community Chess
Collaboration with University of Canterbury students
454 Colombo Street
From 25 November, 2011
Locals and visitors to Christchurch will remember that Cathedral Square used to be home to a giant chess set. The Community Chess project has restored this pastime to the city. It’s free to play and you can collect the key for the chess pieces from the new Honey Pot Cafe next door.
Think Differently Book Exchange
Corner Barbadoes & Kilmore Streets (formerly The Herbal Dispensary)
From Sunday 17 July, 2011
One year on, and still going strong! New life was breathed into an old fridge when it became a repository for a community book exchange. Check it out, you might just find something that will keep you amused for a few hours.