An iconic Christchurch heritage landmark is about to be illuminated for Matariki.
From Wednesday night, the Christ Church Cathedral will be lit up by a powerful projection created by the Offline Collective’s Sam Emerson in collaboration with collective members Michael Duggan and Charlie Pitts, as part of the Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival.
Hurihanga will transform the cathedral’s exterior into a canvas of light, honouring stories of renewal, remembrance, and whakapapa through breathtaking visuals.
Creative lead Emerson said, “We created Hurihanga to reflect ancestral stories and the significance of Puaka, the star to which Te Waipounamu looks for Matariki.
“The brightest star in Tautoru (Orion’s Belt), in Māori mythology Puaka’s appearance means Te Waka o Raki is rising to bring loved ones to their final resting place in the celestial kingdom, a reminder to acknowledge those who came before us, but also to celebrate the present, and to dream for the future.”
“Hurihanga harnesses this wairua and draws on the symbolism of the cycles of time, of wind, rain, lightning and the growing, harvesting and storage of food, to create a sprawling, transformative story that takes viewers on a journey far beyond the physical setting,” Emerson said.
Flare project manager Selina Faimalo said this latest public art activation invites residents to pause, wonder, reflect and connect in a conversation.
“Hurihanga adds meaningful layers to the iconic cathedral to reflect Ōtautahi’s navigation of our past, present and future to reveal our connections to place and each other in recognition of Matariki,” Faimalo said.
The cathedral’s Dean Ben Truman said, “Offering the cathedral as a canvas for this Matariki celebration display continues our Anglican legacy of bicultural celebration and is an exciting way to unite our community around whakapapa and whakapono, remembering our personal and collective histories of family and faith.”
Explore a new way of seeing the heart of the city this winter with this striking collaboration every day from Wednesday 11 June, 6pm – 10pm, for one month.
