The SCAPE 7 Public Art Christchurch Biennial has released plans for SCAPE 7 Art Central, Christchurch’s temporary art, culture and education space from 27 September – 09 November 2013. Art Central will be located in the Performing Arts Precinct on the corner of Gloucester and Colombo Streets.

Positioned in the middle of SCAPE 7’s free-to-view public art walkway of eleven ambitious new temporary works of public art; two new, permanent sculptures and four existing installations, the 700m2 architecturally-designed space will play host to SCAPE 7’s opening weekend, public events, and school and community art programmes.

“Our aim is to create a welcoming central-city space where the community can engage with the new, cutting-edge public art that we are creating for SCAPE 7” says Bob Blyth, Chairman of the SCAPE Public Art Trust. “In addition to being the hub for SCAPE 7’s activities, we have also designed Art Central with additional capacity to permit us to share the space with other Christchurch Arts Organisations” he continues.  

Fulton Hogan have commenced ground-works at the Art Central site, and construction of the dramatic curtain walls and Portabuild units which LeadbetterCarr architects have specified for Art Central will be complete in time for SCAPE 7’s opening weekend on 28 and 29 September 2013.

Deborah McCormick, Director of SCAPE Public Art says “Hundreds of hours and materials and services have been provided on a sponsorship basis for the construction of Art Central. It’s important for Christchurch people to come and make the most of Art Central. Our city businesses have invested their time and energy to create it for us, and enjoying it will be our thank you to them.”

Art Central sponsors: Platinum: Westpac; Gold: Canterbury Community Trust, Christchurch City Council; Silver: Aotea Electric, Aurecon, CCDU, CERA, Fulton Hogan, Leighs Construction, NZ Steel, Placemakers, Spanbuild, RCP, The Press; Bronze: Orion, JA Schneideman Family Trust, Mackleys Transport.