The Way Things Used to Be

Every so often, in an idle moment, I scan through my digital photo files peering at old photos of Christchurch.

Old being pre-September 2010, before the 7.1 earthquake struck that is.

I'm always amazed by how much I have already forgotten, just three years on.

I took these photographs inside Christchurch Cathedral in the Square.

And as we all know, the Cathedral now sits in ruins - towers broken, steeple gone, roof collapsing, mould growing over the stone exterior, pigeons pooping through the interior.

It's a pale, sad shadow of what it used to be, of what you see here.

I'm not a religious person but I am very fond of church architecture and I often went into this cathedral - and, to my mind, the even more spectacular Catholic Basilica -  just to sit and watch and listen and contemplate.

Some of my favourite views are those minus people, or, as in this case, just a hint, a shadow of others.

(I've noticed that most of my photographs are either of people, or places - seldom both in one shot).

The famous rose window.

In storage somewhere now  (I think).

And with the choristers practising for the annual Christmas performance.

This year I guess they'll give us a tune in Shigeru Ban's Cardboard Cathedral - a very nice temporary replacement.

Same view, different day, different year and fewer people.

And the exterior view that dons a thousand (at least) tourist books.

I used to take this view so much for granted.

I take very little for granted any more.

Colouring a Cathedral

These two photographs pretty much sum up my approach to life - all or nothing!

In this case, I've gone the all or nothing way with colour in Christchurch's magnificent Cathdral interior, giving in to a little flight of fancy on PhotoShop. I've photographed the Cathedral interior many times before and you can see some of those images if you click on Christchurch Cathedral in the label line below this post. There's something about church architecture that keeps drawing me in and while I normally take a fairly 'regular' approach to photographing them, it's fun to let loose every so often and completely defy expectations.

A Decorated Cathedral

Merry Christmas

From New Zealand

2009

A Tree, A Window.....

...........A Cathedral....

Christchurch Cathedral

Christmas 2009

Cathedral Christmas

Blue Star

Aloft

On the Cathedral Christmas Tree December 2009

A Choristers' Christmas

When I was out walking last weekend, I dropped into the Christchurch Cathedral in the Square to see what was happening. I timed it perfectly for this colourful Christmas shot. One of the choirs was in full voice and the beautiful interior columns were a-glow with festive lighting. I've photographed this and many other churches, numerous times - click on Churches in the label line below for more - and it always surprises me just how different images of the same place can be, dependent upon lighting and circumstances.

Prison Architecture

When you think of well known 19th century Canterbury architect, Benjamin W Mountfort, you’re most likely going to think of Christchurch Cathedral, Canterbury Museum and the very beautiful Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers as highlights of his architectural legacy. It is unlikely that you’ll be thinking about prisons and cell blocks. But the old Addington Prison is yet another fine example of Mountford’s Gothic Revival architecture.

The Mountfort Cell Block was built in 1874 – constructed in 60cm thick concrete, which at the time was a relatively new material. When it opened it housed both sentenced and remand prisoners and later, it also served as a woman’s prison and then a military camp. The prison was finally closed in 1999 and it stood empty until 2006 when the building was purchased by an enthusiastic couple, who have since renovated the protected building and converted it into backpacker accommodation. I was out walking with a friend the weekend before last – exploring the backstreets of Addington – and when we came upon the old gaol, we took it upon ourselves to go in and get a feel for the place. The people in charge of the backpacker operation were more than happy to show us through – turns out they get plenty of curious passers-by keen to look inside. From the huge original gates that have been incorporated into the external landscape, to the protected drawings on cell walls created by former prisoners, it’s a real treat. Another friend talked about feelings of ‘bad karma’ but I never took that from the building at all. Rather, to me, it has an almost cathedral-like feel to it – not surprising I suppose when you consider than Mountfort did in fact design Christchurch Cathedral. I found the interior beautifully proportioned and with its all-white paintwork, its splendid timber staircase and its beautiful ceiling and stained glass features, it’s hard to even imagine it as a prison - more of a monastery to me. That said, as a paying backpacker guest, I would want to make sure that the thick steel cell doors definitely had a key on the inside! One quirky additional fact that amused me: The prison’s first gaoler was one Edward Seagar, who was also Canterbury’s first police sergeant and Sunnyside Mental Hospital’s first warden. Clearly he was a man who liked to be in charge of the keys! Anyway, if you feel like a night in lock-up, check out www.jail.co.nz

The Arts Festival Opens

Christchurch. July 2009. Ajr

I went along to Cathedral Square for the opening of the Christchurch Arts Festival Winter Garden 2009 last night. It was all bright lights, photographers, television crews, laughing crowds, song and dance - just the way to kick off a brilliant festival programme in the middle of a freezing winter. This shot shows the Christchurch Anglican Cathdral glowing in the dark. If you'd like to see photographs of the opening Maori performance by Ngai Tahu's Tuahiwi Kapa Haka group, click on the black and white carving at the top right of this home page and you'll be delivered straight there. I'll be featuring dozens more festival photographs in the coming weeks, so if you're interested in what's happening in Christchurch, stay tuned. www.artsfestival.co.nz

Cathedral Rose

Christchurch Cathedral. Dec. 2008. Ajr

It's been a while since I featured one of my church photos on a Sunday - I'm sure some of my friends were beginning to think I had turned into a religious zealot. But it's always been about the architecture - and the serenity of a church space - not my personal religious (or non-religious) affiliations. I just love church buildings and I rarely enter one without coming away with a photograph that I'm happy with. I particularly like this one - taken inside Christchurch Cathedral. That's the gorgeous Rose Window above the main door. I did take copious notes about it on the day but now I can't find them; but I'm sure if you visit the Cathedral's website, you'll be able to read about it. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

Something Suitably Sunday-ish

Christchurch Cathedral. Feb 2009. Ajr

I couldn't resist a shot of all these verticals and horizontals around the spire of Christchurch Cathedral. There's lots of inner city crane activity at the moment so I'm happier than a pig in mud. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

Sunday Scene

Christchurch Cathedral. Jan 2009. Ajr

From inside Christchurch Cathedral

www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

Grapes and Spires

Christchurch Anglican Cathedral. Jan. 2009.

I've walked around the Christchurch Cathedral Many times and never previously noticed the thriving grape vine that grows on the north side. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

Peering Over My Shoulder

Cathedral Square, Christchurch. Jan. 2009. Ajr

As far as public sculptures go, this Terry Stringer bronze might be one of the most overlooked works in Christchurch. Yet oddly, it is in one of the most prominant positions in town - right outside the doors of Christchurch Cathedral, which receives thousands of visitors a week. Perhaps it is overshadowed by the dramatic architecture of the Cathedral itself; or maybe it is dwarfed by the more obvious, much bigger (and shinier) sculpture, 'Chalice' by Neil Dawson? And it is the kind of thing I WANT to overlook - it is kind of shapeless and ugly after all. That said, I do wish there was a little plaque somewhere with its name and artist information so people could at least find out more about it. Maybe there is. Maybe that's easily overlooked as well?

It's Sunday Again......

Christchurch Cathedral. Jan. 2009. Ajr

I slipped into Christchurch Cathedral the other day to escape Canterbury's heatwave - and of course to test my new camera on this very splendid interior architecture. I wasn't alone. A volunteer was busy straightening pews; another was pointing out architectural highlights to tourists, cameras were snapping left right and centre; and just one man was seated quietly as if in contemplation of the scene - or perhaps immersed in a little spiritual reverie. Who could blame him? It's a beautiful place. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

A Small Sunday Moment

The Crucifix

Christchurch Cathedral Altar

Re-Visiting the Basilica

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch. Oct. 2008. Ajr

Since it’s Sunday I’m going to continue the church architecture theme with these shots I took this morning outside the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, the Catholic Basilica. It’s a building I totally adore for its mammoth bulk and majestic heft. Designed by architect, Francis William Petre, the Basilica is too often overlooked in favour of the Christchurch Anglican Cathedral in my view. Sure the latter IS a lovely building but I think the Basilica is a far grander architectural statement. You can see an earlier post I made, along with an interior of the above domes, in my July index to the right. It's entitled "A Visual Climax."

Chess or Church?

Cathedral Square, Christchurch Sept. 2008. Ajr

Decisions, decisions!

The Inner Sanctum

Christchurch Cathedral. Sept. 2008. Ajr

As I've mentioned before, I love photographing churches - not because I'm religious but because I love the grand architectural statements they make. And I've decided Sunday is the perfect day to display some of my 'treasures.' For anyone who has never been to Christchurch, this is what the interior of the famous Christchurch Anglican Cathedral looks like. It's one of the South Island's most visited attractions and if you're dead set on getting a bird's eye view of the city, you can climb the 133 steps up the tower. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

Craning My Neck - Again

Christchurch Cathedral Spire. August 2008. Ajr

A nice interplay

of old and new