Last night (Wednesday 6 March 2023) the beautiful Ka mua Ka muri was unveiled as part of the Multicultural Centre Opening ceremony. Ka mua Ka Muri, which translates as “looking backwards to move forward”, is an incredible artwork that we are proud to have collaborated with artist Kazu Nakagawa on. In 2014 we worked with Kazu on the Waiheke Library, where his magnificent artwork has been fully integrated into the facade, wall linings and floor of the Library. It has been gifted to the people of Christchurch after the terror attacks. ‘I looked at the sculpture that stood in front of me, thinking of people who lost families and friends, imagining they were also looking at this view… I decided regardless of obstacles I wanted to send Ka mua Ka muri to the people of Christchurch.’ – Kazu Nakagawa
Ka mua Ka muri was originally created for Sculpture on the Gulf in 2019, held on Waiheke Island – and so it had a few obstacles in its journey, travelling all the way from Waiheke Island in Auckland, down to Christchurch in New Zealand’s South Island. The artwork was created with the idea of architecture 100 years ago, and what buildings might look like 100 years in the future – “looking backwards to move forward”. Conversations with Pacific Environments Architects helped lead Kazu to the idea of origami, faceted shapes that eco the natural modular forms found in nature, and so the two large open rings were crafted, leaning in and depending on the other to stay upright. “Time folds in on itself as we take our past with us into who we become.”
With the support from Trish Clark Gallery, a fundraising campaign and Pacific Environments, Ka mua Ka muri made its journey to Christchurch towards the end of 2019.
By gifting it to the people of Christchurch, it is hoped that the work provides a point of reflection “Our shoulders touch. They are us. We are them. In one act many lives were lost. We couldn’t rewind them back to life or give an explanation for these people disappearing. I couldn’t feel anything negative or bad, not even anger — just heavy pain, entirely. It was just too much for my understanding at that time, when we were all suddenly forced to confront such an act of anger.”
It is so special that the artwork is now officially handed over to the people of Christchurch, and we hope that when you are next in Christchurch (Hagley Park) you can take a moment to visit and reflect.
Photo: From its time at Sculpture on the Gulf
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