I Like Your Form

An image of one of my favourite sculptures in Christchurch. Christchurch city centre is such an interesting back drop for art. The city is constantly shifting as space is opened and closed as buildings come down and new ones go up. This sculpture is on display at The Arcades which is on the site of a demolished hotel.

"I Like your Form is by Lonnie Hutchinson and is a 50-metre-long eel trap, or hinaki.

The giant hinaki is a reminder of traditions that might not be immediately apparent in the midst of Christchurch’s hectic rebuild. Hutchinson says the Avon River plays a unique role in the traditional economy and culture of local Māori.

“The intervention of the kupenga (net) tensioned between the two sets of arcades is a reclaiming of ‘site’ that is of significance to Ngāi Tahu.”

The sculpture was specially lit during FESTA.

On the Tourist Trail 2

Whilst visiting Utrecht I also climbed the famous Dom Tower. The Dom Tower’s bells ring out across Utrecht every hour, each time playing a different sequence so that the residents can tell what time of day it is. On the weekend the official bell ringer is in residence and treats the town to a campanological concert; I Love to Hate You by the Pet Shop Boys being amongst the choice chimes on the Saturday I was there.

Instead of a ticket for Dom Tower you get a little passport and some badges to take away. I’m unsure why you’d need a passport, as such, to climb a tower however as examples of collateral I think the Dom Tower’s artwork is nicely considered and much more fun than plain, old admission tickets.

The view from the top: Utrecht from above with Dom Tower's shadow