How to turn a library into a moving vessel

Customers at New Brighton Library were silenced (a rare occurrence!) by a performance from members of the Silencio Ensemble. Metal poles, a sink, old shelving and a cymbal were played by an assortment of hammers, bows and sticks.

Chris, Mike, Reuben and Tom responded to the library’s architecture by suspending poles from the pipeline alongside the buildings main pillars, creating a musical experience for people to listen to from all parts of the building. The sound varied from temple-like tinkering to cacophonous metal hammering.

Customers displayed bemusement, confusion, fascination, curiosity, and horror. The rhythms of the waves coupled with the rhythm of the gongs within our ship-like structure made one person say that it felt like being inside a moving vessel.

This performance is a forerunner to a project being developed for the Christchurch Arts Festival in August. Live music performed by the Ensemble will accompany a screening of the 1948 silent movie, “Joan of Arc”.

• Posts about New Zealand Music Month 2011
• New Zealand Music Month events
• NZ Music Month 2011 — official site

River crossing cars, 1903 style

Both these cars were specially designed to cross rivers. They were exhibited at the Canterbury A & P Show, by the Ranger Motor and Cycle Company, in 1903. Do you have any information on these vehicles, or the company? Please contact us if you’d like to share it. We also accept donations.

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Celebrating our scenery, Port Levy – Image of the Week

Do you have any information about this Steamer at Port Levy, circa 1921?

Please contact us if you’d like to share it. We also accept donations.

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Celebrating our people, Girl Guides and Brownies – Image of the Week

Rakaia Girl Guide and Brownie (in the white hats) packs in 1933.

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Christmas on New Brighton Beach- Image of the Week

New Brighton beach at Christmas, 1927.

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A summer outing- Image of the Week

A motor boat approaches a moored yacht on the Estuary at Redcliffs, 1960.

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Sunbathing at New Brighton- Image of the Week

Sunbathing at New Brighton beach, Christchurch. 1918.

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December yachting- Image of the Week

Area adjoining the Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Club’s shed at Lyttelton during the second day of the regatta. 1964.

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Pioneers at Akaroa- Image of the Week

Image of the Week has taken a break with all of the earthquake madness and other such adventures. But we’re back highlighting more great images from our collection.

“Pioneers at Akaroa” 1886. Photograph by A. E. Preece, 1863-1946.

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Need a drink with that aftershock? – Image of the week

Serving a customer at Maling & Co. Ltd, 86 Gloucester Street. Circa 1960.

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Also contact us if you have any further information on any of the images. Want to see more? You can browse our collection.