Christchurch's first suburb was originally known as West End. Long forgotten as such, in the 21st century its centre is now the city's cultural precinct. Dominating this locale is what has been charitably described as a warehouse in a tutu. Little more than a museum of artistic relics from bygone eras, it is the official Christchurch Art Gallery, but it's not a place where art happens.
On the other hand, and opposite side of Hagley Park, is another Christchurch Art Gallery. Situated in the long derelict livestock saleyards at lower Riccarton, it's a location where art actually takes place. As such it might well deserve equal recognition as a cultural precinct.
A photographic essay by Brendon Keenan of the Canterbury Saleyards art collection, where cameras are allowed, opens in a new tab or window.
6 comments:
ummm...err....oh...yes.
Luckily we're not of an elitist persuasion...
Good stuff!
Fortunately, no livestock are around - it would've scared the living daylights out of them.
More than just the livestock - it would probably scare the living daylights out of our smugly Puritan social purity experts (the Christchurch Social Purity League may have faded, but the memory lingers on).
Well, the last place (almost) the social purity experts would be likely to hang out would be the saleyards, even in the good old days.
This is an amazing post! Thanks for sharing!!
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