The Ruminator

Ch-ch-ch-changes

• Donna Robertson
• 5
• Posted on June 24, 2014June 30, 2014

I worked in Christchurch’s CBD until Labour weekend last year. Now I work in Linwood, but I still commute via the CBD. It gives me a good chance to keep an eye on what’s changing around the central city.

There’s a lot to see, and the pace is relentless. I’m nosy – I like to see what is happening. I usually have a camera too, so have plenty of pics to keep track of it all.

Here are some things spotted in the last few weeks.

Some things are behemoths and can’t be missed. The Government Life building in Cathedral Square is to be demolished, and it is now all covered in scaffolding and white wrap. Its famous digital clock is already gone.

The tiniest things can be pleasing, and these stickers are like a little secret for pedestrians only.

The Government Life will be the demolition to watch now, recently it was the Majestic Theatre – all gone now…

As is the old Christchurch City Council / Millers building on Tuam Street.

It looks a bit like Deadwood down on Madras Street. These ghost signs were revealed by the earthquakes, but it looks like they are on their way out now.

Art – and nature – are necessary antidotes to demolition. Julia Morison’s Tree Houses for Swamp dwellers is all lit up on Gloucester Street.

Ronnie van Hout is a sight in the Christchurch sunrise. He hangs out on top of the building that is home to C1 Espresso, Alice in Videoland, Christchurch Art Gallery, and The Physics Room.

Art leaves the building. I spotted artist Mike Hewson taking down his work off the Crossing on Colombo Street on Saturday.

But art comes too. Today Mike is working on a new installation on the Trinity Church.

Last week All Right? released some research on the post-earthquake experience of Cantabrians. It found that more than two thirds of people are still grieving for what has been lost. It is worth a read to explain a bit about how Christchurch people are doing.