Update 2nd September. The 8th Anniversary...
I have not done an update for the Anniversary this year, as I have decided to discontinue this project for the time being to reassess the reasons, why I should continue to develop the timeline. When I first started on this project there was a sense of excitement and achievement, however now 7 years down the line, the excitement has long since gone. I think it is a state of mind, everything in this place takes so long to get done, and how I feel about this has not helped.
I started out with a style and a vision to reflect the changes, which I had hoped would have happened far faster, but it seems that instead of getting on with things, the locals just want to constantly argue for their own piece of ground...
Update 3rd September. The 7th Anniversary...
My latest version of the 04/09/10 Earthquakes Anniversary. It's hard to believe that now 7 years have gone by, since this first series of Tremors and Earthquakes hit the City and Region, and which are still being felt now...
For this new version, I offer up that the City and its people are at a crossroads, stuck in a rut of constant indecision, which has meant big projects, like the Cathedral, the new Rugby Stadium and the Convention Centre have stalled badly. 7 years on progress is slow in some areas, while in others the changes are coming to the for, we'll see what happens by the time the 8th Anniversary comes around.
Update 21st February. The 6th Anniversary...
My updated version of the 22/02/11 Earthquakes Anniversary. It's hard to believe that now 6 years have gone by, since this first series of Tremors and Earthquakes hit the City and Region, and which are still being felt now...This project continues to try and reflect the changes the city and people have been through. On a personal level, having now been here for nearly 5 years, I have seen the continual changes, but despite these, the loss on that day should never be forgotten...
It's about remembrance, and the artistic ways we can show this...
Update 3rd September. The 6th Anniversary...
My updated version of the 04/09/10 Earthquakes Anniversary. It's hard to believe that now 6 years have gone by, since this first series of Tremors and Earthquakes hit the City and Region, and which are still being felt now...
Saturday 13th February update...
The above image has been slightly adjusted in the colour and image areas. I thought that this was more the colour combination I have been looking for, and keeping in line with previous visuals.
Sunday 7th February update...
It is hard to believe that another year has passed since the 4th Anniversary, and now we are only a few weeks away from the 5th. I have once again been giving a lot of thought to the general mood and sense of moving postively on, which seems to be the thinking these days. The Rebuild has gathered a pace over the last 12 months in particular, with the demolition of the last group of Earthquake damaged buildings, being cleared to make way for the new city plan.
As 2015, this year 2016 is not just another year of development for the Rebuild and Remembrance, with the updated Typography and a new Kaleidoscope Image of flowers this time, but a more stark contrast between the negative and positive of the images. For this year the continuing project and what I would like to achieve with this body of work. For sure, the exploration of the visuality of the subject, and there will be a closer more detailed analysis of the background to this work. Having been developed as a strand of creative work from the Parent project MB150696 (and this year will be 20th Anniversary of that event in Manchester, UK) there are real strands of parallels with both projects, and the changed/changing urban landscape which resulted)
The above image has been slightly adjusted in the colour and image areas. I thought that this was more the colour combination I have been looking for, and keeping in line with previous visuals.
Sunday 7th February update...
It is hard to believe that another year has passed since the 4th Anniversary, and now we are only a few weeks away from the 5th. I have once again been giving a lot of thought to the general mood and sense of moving postively on, which seems to be the thinking these days. The Rebuild has gathered a pace over the last 12 months in particular, with the demolition of the last group of Earthquake damaged buildings, being cleared to make way for the new city plan.
As 2015, this year 2016 is not just another year of development for the Rebuild and Remembrance, with the updated Typography and a new Kaleidoscope Image of flowers this time, but a more stark contrast between the negative and positive of the images. For this year the continuing project and what I would like to achieve with this body of work. For sure, the exploration of the visuality of the subject, and there will be a closer more detailed analysis of the background to this work. Having been developed as a strand of creative work from the Parent project MB150696 (and this year will be 20th Anniversary of that event in Manchester, UK) there are real strands of parallels with both projects, and the changed/changing urban landscape which resulted)
Update 3rd September. The 5th Anniversary...
My updated version of the 04/09/10 Earthquakes Anniversary. It's hard to believe that now 5 years have gone by, since this first series of Tremors and Earthquakes hit the City and Region. Though no lives were lost at this time, it significantly acted at the Catalyst for what was to follow 5 months later.
Update 22nd February. The 4th Anniversary...
The day of Remembrance here in Christchurch. So much has changed in the last 4 years, and the changes continue every day as the City rebuilds. But just for today we take a few minutes to gather our thoughts, and remember those who were lost...
Friday 6th February update...
I will be looking again at the 'Poster Series' over the coming weeks. My plan is to show a set of completed versions and one main poster with all the version being shown from the last 4 years. These are in final artwork stage, and will be going to print. In addition to this, I have just started on the book showing the background story to accompany, where the original influence and inspiration came from.
Sunday 1st February update...
As we start the new month, and now only 21 days away from the 4th Anniversary, I have been giving a lot of thought to the general mood and sense of moving postively on, which seems to be the thinking these days. The Rebuild has gathered a pace over the last 6 months in particular, with the demolition of the last group of Earthquake damaged buildings, being cleared to make way for the new city plan.
2015 is not just another year of development for the Rebuild and Remembrance, with the updated Typography and a new Kaleidoscope Image of Roses this time, but another year for this continuing project and what I would like to achieve with this body of work. For sure, continuing to explore the visuality of the subject, and there will be a closer more detailed analysis of the background to this work. Having been developed as a strand of creative work from the Parent project MB150696 (and this year will be the 19th Anniversary of that event in Manchester, UK) there are real strands of parallels with both projects, and the changed/changing urban landscape which resulted)
Some of the early development will be coming to the surface in the next few months, in between Feb 22nd and June 15th, and will be feature in the project update and a new book to be published through online publishers Blurb...
Tuesday 27th January 2015 Update...
A slight tweaking of the spacing of the top and bottom numbers, with more sliced off the curves to balance the space in the line feed. I'm hoping to this year, finally collate all this development work into some kind of book for publishing, and update the poster series for a gallery show. I have to say this has been one of the more frustrating aspects to achieve over the last 2 years. However I do hope to try and achieve this in 2015, and this may also form part of a greater artists gathering during this year, it's definitely a 'watch this space'...
Sunday 25th January 2015 Update...
The latest work on this project in advance of the 4th Anniversary Feb 22nd Earthquake. I have now looked at a slightly different approach visually for the top of the Artwork, reflecting some of the work from the September Visual. The bottom is now very much about the reflective memorial of the moment, and a freshening of the images. More thoughts to follow in the next couple of weeks...
Thursday 4th September - A few thoughts on the day.
A quick update on the day of the Anniversary, where have we come in 4 years, how will the next 4 years take us on the is road to recovery? From a personal point of view, I would like to think that there will be an opportunity to bring this project to a larger audience, in this time, who knows. I will though continue to develop this project, as a continuing Portal of Creative Development, mapping in a small way, the changes that lie before us in the future...
Monday 1st September - The first Official Day of Spring.
1st Day of Spring in Christchurch, and only a few days away from the 4th Anniversary of the 1st Earthquake in 2010. It was the beginning of what was to become the uncertain period, with more Quakes and Tremors in the 100's prior to the Big Earthquake of February 22nd 2011.
With this new development, I have focused on the positive thinking, which now forms part of the City's redevelopment, and the bringing back of one of the Pre-Earthquake Icons of the City, the Trams. I have also abreviated down the Typography to CHCH, as it the custom over here. The top image one of my Photograph's is of the familiar Landmark, which still stands in Cathedral Square is 'The Chalice Sculpture' by Neil Dawson, and has surprisingly survived all of the Earthquakes and Tremors over the last 4 years.
Below I have another one of my recent photograph's, this time of the CHCH Trams, which came back on a limited service basis earlier this year, and here is a clear indication of the desire to resume with some degree of normality the day to day of life in the CBD.
Reasons behind the work, and a reflection of the events of the 22nd February 2011. A week of being on an 'Emotional Rollercoaster'...
In the last few weeks I have once again give thought to the events of this time. It was during a Staff Training/Development day at Yoobee the other week, that this subject came up in conversation with Chris Mene, the Trainer who was leading the day. Part of looking at moments you share, and how you address these moments during our lives, and also access them.
3 years on from that day of destruction and loss of life, below is part of the personal account, I originally wrote for an Online Article for Creative Times based in Manchester, UK. I have updated this, adding more details and some of the events which followed the days after, some of which has only been part published until now. It was certainly a week of very low and very high emotions for my Wife and I, detail which I will now share with you now.
The story beings thus...
"It was 7.30am in the morning on the 22nd February 2011, and I was in my hotel room near Euston in London preparing for breakfast and to attend the second day of the ‘4 Designers Seminar’ at Leicester Square with my HND Graphics Students from the University of Salford.
My Wife Ness, called me to say that another major earthquake had hit the city of Christchurch, and this time there were casualties. My first thought, was to get back home to Manchester on the train from London as quickly as I could. It was during this journey back that I made a note of a few thoughts ‘how to process this and offer any potential help?’ The journey felt like an eternity and at the time I was unable to really get my thoughts off the ground, due to being heavily involved in undertaking my Masters of Arts in Communications (also at Salford) and my teaching commitments. It would only be possible once I had completed these commitments, to set aside the time to get these ideas from my journal and into a form which could be offered up for potential discussion and collaboration.
After I arrived home in the afternoon, trying to get as full a picture as possible was the main priority. On the news details came through in dribs and drabs. My Wife;s family still mainly live in the City, and the shock of the devastation, and now the the loss of life as well, took a good while to sink in. We also had to wait on a few people to see if they were ok? This became the pattern of the next few days, in addition we both came down with a viral bug, I must have picked up in London? To say emotions were up and down would have been a major understatement, nothing like the next thing we discovered, that my Wife Ness was pregnant with our Son Gabriel. suddenly now had happened on my Wife's Birthday all in the same week, as the Earthquake.
The time to develop my thoughts for this concept work became available over Christmas 2011. The birth of our Son on the 8th November 2011, acting as the spur and the inspiration and since. Then 2 weeks after our Son's birth, Ness's Grandfather passed away, all this before Christmas 2011.
My first thoughts came together, were developed and conceptualised, which became the branding and is shown above and below, the latest version being above. The question I have been asked a few times now, is why do this? My answer for the following 2 reasons: Firstly to continue to raise awareness outside of New Zealand, and especially as the upcoming ‘3rd anniversary’ will be on the 22nd February.
It was very unfortunate that not long after in March 2011, the Earthquake and Tsunami hit Japan, and the shocking loss of life which went with it, however with no disrespect intended this completely took away any focus on the plight of Christchurch.
I also want to make it clear that this work is all ‘Not for profit’." In addition it is important to point out that despite a concerted effort to promote the awareness, the response from outside of CHCH initially, was quite poor, and in most cases ambivalent to what was happening down here, however since arriving in CHCH, and being on the ground I have been able to get a clearer local perspective on the work which is now being undertaken and the plans for the future, and I have a lot more positive support. Last June I gave a presentation to my Colleagues at Yoobee, of the story tell right from my very early work on the Manchester Bombing MB150696, and how this has now developed into my CHCH220211 project work and beyond, and this is now gaining interest in both Wellington and Auckland.
The work continues...
Update 9th February 2014 - Latest news... New visual development work.
The project continues to develop, with the latest time dating of the Identity and image update. I have for this latest version, kept things simple, as for the 220211 Identity it's all about remembrance and not branding. For the new version I have now included the 'CHRISTCHURCH 185 Typography' with the Typography, as a central theme. I felt that this is a more succinct theme of visuality for the look of the Identity, and offers a more poignant look to the theme. Added to this version, is an updated ime, date and casualty number Identity.
The project continues to develop, with the latest time dating of the Identity and image update. I have for this latest version, kept things simple, as for the 220211 Identity it's all about remembrance and not branding. For the new version I have now included the 'CHRISTCHURCH 185 Typography' with the Typography, as a central theme. I felt that this is a more succinct theme of visuality for the look of the Identity, and offers a more poignant look to the theme. Added to this version, is an updated ime, date and casualty number Identity.
I will also be sending this out to both local NZ Media and UK Online Media, in the coming week, to show my continuing work on this project. In recent weeks I have also made a number of very exciting new connections on a local level here in CHCH, and in the North Island, which will help give my work more exposure. In addition in recent months I have taken on a more envolved role with Yoobee School of Design here in CHCH, and have hopes of promoting this work, as part of my new role as Short Course Co-ordinator in Digital Skills.
Update 9th February 2014 - Latest news... New visual development work.
The project continues to develop, with the latest time dating of the Identity and image update. I have for this latest version, kept things simple, as for the 220211 Identity it's all about remembrance and not branding. For the new version I have now included the 'CHRISTCHURCH 185 Typography' with the Typography, as a central theme. I felt that this is a more succinct theme of visuality for the look of the Identity, and offers a more poignant look to the theme. Added to this version, is an updated ime, date and casualty number Identity.
Update 21st January 2014 - Latest news... The first update of the new year!
So we are 1 month away from the 22/02/11 Earthquake Anniversary. It is hard to believe that it is now 3 years since that fateful day, where 185 people lost their lives after the quake struck at 12.51pm, and the CHCH City Landscape changed forever.
There will be an update of the Identity, and once again this will be sent out through Media channels, however this year, there will be a slight difference, where my aim will be to celebrate looking forward to the potentially exciting future, for the City and it's people.
This last year has also seen for me a number of changes on a Personal level, and Professionally where I'm now part of the Team at Yoobee School of Design, Managing their Short Courses Programme. It has also given me the opportunity to use this new challenge to tell a little of the back story to this ongoing and very personal project, and show some reasoning behind my connection to these events and the City.
Update 17th November 2013 - Latest news...
Following up on the last post regarding having had encouraging news of potential support from the North Island, which could lead to a Printed Series of Posters? This is still in discussion over the next few weeks, as I have not had the chance due to other commitments, but have not given up on something being developed in the next few months, with Educational Backing.
Following up on the last post regarding having had encouraging news of potential support from the North Island, which could lead to a Printed Series of Posters? This is still in discussion over the next few weeks, as I have not had the chance due to other commitments, but have not given up on something being developed in the next few months, with Educational Backing.
In recent weeks I have still continued to develop updated versions of the Typography, looking at a 'more positive forward thinking visuality' for the Concepts, and this is now developing into a series of A1 Posters (printed locally) and a 20 page Newspaper (to be printed through the Newspaper Club in the UK) both of these to form part of the Show I hope to secure in the New Year? The screengrabs of which have been posted to show the updated developments and the connectivity of both ends of the creative work. In addition there is still creative work being undertaken on the Colour Palattes, which forms the background and foundation to this project...
In the meantime I'm still pursuing the local options, and hoping to have a showing of some form in the early New Year either local or up in Auckland or Wellington?...
Update 30th September 2013 - Latest news...
I have had encouraging news of potential support from the North Island, which could lead to a Printed Series of Posters? In the meantime I'm pursuing the local options, and hoping to have a showing of some form in the early New Year?...
Update 3rd September 2013 - Thoughts behind the visual...
In recent months, I have had a number of conversations with local people, regarding where potentially how this project can proceed and develop? One of the first pieces of feedback, from Julie Goodman, who manages the Social Media for Cashel Mall ReSTART. Julie wrote as follows: "Hi Peter, love your work. I manage the social media for Cashel Mall ReSTART, the container mall in Christchurch. I would be very interested in using your graphics sometime on our page, but would need to take the creative direction of growth, rebirth, etc. Do you have any thoughts on that?"
Short answer was yes I have, and the new direction is shown above and below...
To start with I have shortened the type to CHCH, when here, everyone knows this. Also included now are images of the 'old Christchurch', shown with the 'new Artistic works going on display'.
For example the top Branding show the Busy Bee Wall Display from the Museum, coupled now with the Patterns from the Square surrounding the Cathedral. Below a section of one of the Stained Glass Windows, coupled with an image of one the Large Garden Gnones, standing outside the Gallery.
I have also included images of the new Cardboard Cathedral, and Artbox Cubes, some of which are currently in development and will be online in the next few days...
Update 2nd September 2013. More work now added 'CHCH040910.
Latest update - With only 2 days to go before the 3rd Anniversary of the 1st Earthquake, I have created the next in the series of my 'Typographic development', or Visual Response to these events, which have happened over the last 3 years in my now Adopted City. I hope to in the next 24 hours, get these Creative Developments out there on the net, through the already established networks...
The emphasis runnig through the latest work, shows a more Colourful, and hopefully positive feel, which is in keeping with the ongoing Artistic Creative Initiatives running through the City. More details to follow in the coming days...
Update 28th August 2013. Meeting with Henry Sunderland, Artist and Educator.
In the last couple of weeks I was very lucky to be able to meet the Artist Henry Sunderland, who created the Concept of the 'Flowers in the Cones'. This is a big break for my project work, as Henry very kindly invited me to join his own FB page created for the Campaign of ongoing remembrance here in CHCH.
I'm hoping to have further discussions with Henry, in the coming months...
Update 8th March 2013. More work now added 'CHRISTCHURCH 185'.
Latest update - More Creative development working around the lives lost and the time the 2nd Quake happened, now focusing on the small cones with flowers tributes seen around the city in the days leading up to the Anniversary. I have added typographic development and the Illustration of the cones with the rose, taken from my own photography. More to follow, watch this space...
Update 26th February 2013. More work on the 'The Day of Rememberence'.
Latest update - More Creative development working around the lives lost and the time the 2nd Quake happened, added 185 for lives lost and 12.51pm the time it happened, in the coming days more development showing specific numerical consequences of the this 2nd Tragic event.
Watch this space...
Update 22nd February 2013. 'The Day of Rememberence'.
Latest update - More Photomontage, and article about the project is published online, both in New Zealand with the Rebuild Christchurch Website and Creative Times the UK. Details of which will follow in a new project folder...
http://www.rebuildchristchurch.co.nz/blog/2013/2/chch-220212-now-220213-earthquake-awareness-project-two-years-on-
http://www.creativetimes.co.uk/articles/building-a-creative-community-post-earthquake
Photomontage of images of flowers to reflect the 22nd Anniversary, to represent the memorial, last 2 years, showing a cross section of destruction, damage and repairs being undertaken in the CBD and a few suburban areas, cross displayed with the Floral Tribute. The above latest Creative development acknowledges the look ahead to next year, and as the next Anniversary will be upon us on 04/09/13, there are a number of supportive variations of the Typography which will be developed, for potential gallery and online viewing...
Update 19th February 2013.
Latest update - Photomontage
This latest visual development shows a Photomontage of images, both my own and donated in the last 2 years, showing a cross section of destruction, damage and repairs being undertaken in the CBD and a few suburban areas.
This montage will be included in the next 220211 - 220213 Visual Typographic Development, and this is will be included as a 'compare and contrast' for a further series creative development of the visual identity, which is slowly being established here now in Christchurch, and should hopefully lead to a certain level of collaboration in the coming months? There will be also a 'current postive montage of new developments, taking place, nw buildings and Arts Initiatives'.
Update 18th February 2013.
As already posted in the last few days, the 2nd Anniversary of the February 22nd Earthquake in 2011, is now only a few days away. New development work on the project is now posted in advance of the Anniversary. In addition to this as also mentioned in recent posts, i'm currently putting together a Presentation of how this project has developed and writing an article on the journey and contacting local organisations to gather support for local and International exposure, this will also be posted in the coming weeks, as part of a larger assembly of development work being created.
As already posted in the last few days, the 2nd Anniversary of the February 22nd Earthquake in 2011, is now only a few days away. New development work on the project is now posted in advance of the Anniversary. In addition to this as also mentioned in recent posts, i'm currently putting together a Presentation of how this project has developed and writing an article on the journey and contacting local organisations to gather support for local and International exposure, this will also be posted in the coming weeks, as part of a larger assembly of development work being created.
This latest work now features visually 'the Artbox Project' which brings together Creatives from a varied selection of Backgrounds from the City of Christchurch. My aim is in the coming months to develop further Creative Work, to promote Internationally as well as Nationally this work.
These will be published online in the coming months, to coincide with a table of local and national events here in New Zealand.
Watch this space...
Watch this space...
Update 17th February 2013.
The 2nd Anniversary of the February 22nd Earthquake in 2011, is now not far off. New development work on the project will be posted in the next few days in advance of the Anniversary. In addition to this as also mentioned in recent posts, i'm currently putting together a Presentation of how this project has developed and writing an article on the journey and contacting local organisations to gather support for local and International exposure. These will be published online in the coming months, to coincide with a table of local and national events here in New Zealand.
Watch this space...
The 2nd Anniversary of the February 22nd Earthquake in 2011, is now not far off. New development work on the project will be posted in the next few days in advance of the Anniversary. In addition to this as also mentioned in recent posts, i'm currently putting together a Presentation of how this project has developed and writing an article on the journey and contacting local organisations to gather support for local and International exposure. These will be published online in the coming months, to coincide with a table of local and national events here in New Zealand.
Watch this space...
Update 1st January 2013.
The 2nd Anniversary of the February 22nd Earthquake in 2011, is now not far off. This month I will be posting in the an updated development of the branding created over a year ago, the first development ideas from this are posted now. In addition to this as also mentioned i'm currently putting together a Presentation of how this project has developed and writing an article on the journey and contacting local organisations to gather support for local and International exposure. These will be published online in the coming months, to coincide with a table of local and national events here in New Zealand.
Watch this space...
The 2nd Anniversary of the February 22nd Earthquake in 2011, is now not far off. This month I will be posting in the an updated development of the branding created over a year ago, the first development ideas from this are posted now. In addition to this as also mentioned i'm currently putting together a Presentation of how this project has developed and writing an article on the journey and contacting local organisations to gather support for local and International exposure. These will be published online in the coming months, to coincide with a table of local and national events here in New Zealand.
Watch this space...
Update 13th December 2012.
The 2nd Anniversary of the February 22nd Earthquake in 2011, is not far off. I will be posting in the next month an updated development of the branding created over a year ago. In addition to this, i'm currently putting together a Presentation of how this projects has developed and writing an article on the journey so far. These will be published online in the coming months, to coincide with a table of local and national events here in New Zealand.
Watch this space...
Update 26th November 2012.
Continuing the series of updates for this project, it will be 2 years on the 22/02/13 since the 'Major Earthquake' hit the City of Christchurch in New Zealand. This project has now taken on a more direct meaning as I'm now based in the city permanently, and seeing first hand the devastation on the ground and the changes, but now also the renewed positive actions of the City's Creative Industries is an area which will form part of future Creative Development...
Update. 31st August 2012.
Another update on the progress of this project. The 04/09/12 will be 2 years to the day since the first earthquake struck Christchurch, as a remembrance of this early event (6 months before the 2 major quake of the 22/02/11 which claimed 185 lives) I feel it's appropriate to now offer another creative offering to my project.
The 2nd Anniversary of the February 22nd Earthquake in 2011, is not far off. I will be posting in the next month an updated development of the branding created over a year ago. In addition to this, i'm currently putting together a Presentation of how this projects has developed and writing an article on the journey so far. These will be published online in the coming months, to coincide with a table of local and national events here in New Zealand.
Watch this space...
Update 26th November 2012.
Continuing the series of updates for this project, it will be 2 years on the 22/02/13 since the 'Major Earthquake' hit the City of Christchurch in New Zealand. This project has now taken on a more direct meaning as I'm now based in the city permanently, and seeing first hand the devastation on the ground and the changes, but now also the renewed positive actions of the City's Creative Industries is an area which will form part of future Creative Development...
Update. 31st August 2012.
Another update on the progress of this project. The 04/09/12 will be 2 years to the day since the first earthquake struck Christchurch, as a remembrance of this early event (6 months before the 2 major quake of the 22/02/11 which claimed 185 lives) I feel it's appropriate to now offer another creative offering to my project.
The main aim of this project is to continue raising awareness for the need to continue to support the people and creative industries in the city. This is not a one off, we will producing materials and the means to become involved in the coming months, so please pass this link on through your own connections, if you can this will be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Peter Godkin, MA MCSD, MDINZ.
CHCH 220212 awareness project - 1 year on.
Before Christmas 2011, I felt it was the right moment to put the word out about my own contribution to the healing support service for my Wife’shome city, about the continuing problems still being encountered every day, by the General population a large number of whom, in the last 18 months have lost everything. This is where the very personal perspective comes to the fore, as my Wife and I have Family and friends over in Christchurch, and have regularc ontact with them, the difficulties they have faced especially post the earthquake which struck with such devastation on that day, killing 184 people still continue. Thankfully all our Family and friends were ok, however of these a few lost their homes and it has taken a very long time to actually get to a point of when they can rebuild with a promised compensation.
Secondly though not as directly personal but it is still important to help support the ‘existing initiatives’ for fellow creatives in Central Christchurch. I also hold International membership of DINZ (Designers Instituteof New Zealand) in addition to my CSD membership, and I can bring a dual perspective to any discussion on how to move forward. It is also not widely known that many of the creatives in the city who have been affected, are from the ‘Entrepreneurial level’ or ‘Small Business sector’ and have lost their livelihoods in the space of those traumatic few hours.
As a fellow Entrepreneur and now Educator the empathy is there, by putting out the word through International networks online in the ‘CreativeIndustries’ through ‘Creative Strategies’ of Poster Design, Online Branding, Skill Donations to collaborative projects and if possible also raises funds, then this will be a bonus. One of my specialist areas is ‘Typographic Branding’ and the visual shown are the early creative developments of the process, and have followed on from my MB96 Manchester Bombing creative work.
I have also created a ‘call to action’, for potential collaboration with other people in the creative industries and this has led to contact in the creative sector, the beginning of a collaborative development with ChrisFlack, a London based Kiwi creative, who is also from Christchurch, and who has experience of fundraising in this area. This information has been posted on Linkedin and Facebook networks with visual supporting evidence through Behance.
In conclusion any support with this will be very much appreciated. A further information release is due out on the 15/02/12 with more details of howthings could progress. In the meantime please send on this link through your own network and connections, if you can this will be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this article.
Peter Godkin MA, MCSD, MDINZ
engineroomcreative.
CHCH 220212 awareness project - 1 year on.
It was 7.30am in the morning on the 22nd February 2011, and I was in my hotel room in London preparing for breakfast and to attend the second day of the ‘4 Designers Seminar’ at Leicester Square with my HND Graphics Students from the University of Salford. My Wife Ness, called me to say that another major earthquake had hit the city of Christchurch, and this time there were casualties. My first thought, was to get back home to Manchester on the train from London as quickly as I could. It was during this journey back that I made an note of a few thoughts ‘how to help?’ The journey felt like an eternity and at the time I was unable to really get my thoughts off the ground, due to being heavily involved in undertaking my Masters of Arts in Communications (also at Salford) and my teaching commitments. It would only be possible once I had completed these commitments, to set aside the time to get these ideas from my journal and into a form which could be offered up for potential discussion and collaboration. The time became available over Christmas 2011, and the first thoughts came together were developed and conceptualised, which became the branding and is shown below. The question I have been asked a few times now, is why do this? My answer for the following 2 reasons: Firstly to continue to raise awareness outside of New Zealand, and especially as the upcoming ‘1st anniversary’ will be on the 22nd February. It was very unfortunate that not long after in March, the Earthquake and Tsunami hit Japan, and the shocking loss of life which went with it, however with no disrespect intended this completely took away any focus on the plight of Christchurch. I also want to make it clear that this work is all ‘Not for profit’.
Before Christmas 2011, I felt it was the right moment to put the word out about my own contribution to the healing support service for my Wife’shome city, about the continuing problems still being encountered every day, by the General population a large number of whom, in the last 18 months have lost everything. This is where the very personal perspective comes to the fore, as my Wife and I have Family and friends over in Christchurch, and have regularc ontact with them, the difficulties they have faced especially post the earthquake which struck with such devastation on that day, killing 184 people still continue. Thankfully all our Family and friends were ok, however of these a few lost their homes and it has taken a very long time to actually get to a point of when they can rebuild with a promised compensation.
Secondly though not as directly personal but it is still important to help support the ‘existing initiatives’ for fellow creatives in Central Christchurch. I also hold International membership of DINZ (Designers Instituteof New Zealand) in addition to my CSD membership, and I can bring a dual perspective to any discussion on how to move forward. It is also not widely known that many of the creatives in the city who have been affected, are from the ‘Entrepreneurial level’ or ‘Small Business sector’ and have lost their livelihoods in the space of those traumatic few hours.
As a fellow Entrepreneur and now Educator the empathy is there, by putting out the word through International networks online in the ‘CreativeIndustries’ through ‘Creative Strategies’ of Poster Design, Online Branding, Skill Donations to collaborative projects and if possible also raises funds, then this will be a bonus. One of my specialist areas is ‘Typographic Branding’ and the visual shown are the early creative developments of the process, and have followed on from my MB96 Manchester Bombing creative work.
I have also created a ‘call to action’, for potential collaboration with other people in the creative industries and this has led to contact in the creative sector, the beginning of a collaborative development with ChrisFlack, a London based Kiwi creative, who is also from Christchurch, and who has experience of fundraising in this area. This information has been posted on Linkedin and Facebook networks with visual supporting evidence through Behance.
In conclusion any support with this will be very much appreciated. A further information release is due out on the 15/02/12 with more details of howthings could progress. In the meantime please send on this link through your own network and connections, if you can this will be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this article.
Peter Godkin MA, MCSD, MDINZ
engineroomcreative.
A Creative response to bring to the World's attention, the continuing problems of the People of Christchurch, this is seen as a very positive response and a way of helping not only the general public, but fellow creatives down there as well.
On a personal note my Wife and I have a strong connection to Christchurch in NZ, on my Wife's side with both family and friends there, and I have thought for a good while that I should get a project going to still highlight the persistent problems the people of the city are having with the continuing earthquakes/tremors which now number in the thousands and once again in recent days tremors and earlier in the Xmas period where they have suffered 3 extensive quakes, which have weakened areas already very week from the major quakes of 04/09/10 and 22/02/12.
A Press release and supporting articles will appear over the next 2 weeks, on the 15th and 22nd Feb, plus further details of how you can get involved.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
More development work to follow...
New article featured in Idealog from New Zealand http://idealog.co.nz/blog/2012/02/godkin
For the early visual work, I used photopgraphy taken by my Wife Vanessa on her visit to CHCH in 2009. These images really, when in comparison with how the city looks now, show a very dramatic change of appearence and dynamic the city has undergone in the following 2 years since 04/09/10 and later 22/02/11. The images helped to provide the base for ongoing development.
The seeds of this project were sown back in September 2010 after the first earthquake hit the city. At the time I had just completed for my MA course my Learning Agreement setting out what my direction of development would be for the first 3 months of the course. My initial draft of the proposal submitted focused on CHCH but this was rejected by my course management, as they felt I could not undertake the study required, without visiting the city to gather information first hand from the sources locally.
I instead focused on my home City of Manchester, and the sketches which follow below show how I developed the 'Anniversary timeline concept' for the 'MB96 Project' and which later became 'Manchester Bombing Personal Memories' for the 'Royal Exchange Theatre Installation', and the supporting print, the branding I created for MB96 has moved on to be adapted for CHCH.
Now eighteen months later I have the opportunity to explore this area without hinderance, and to fully develop the Identity of this project. The following set of images show the early 'creative development' from my sketchbook, focusing on the visual basis of how a traumatic event can effect an environment, and later how we overcome this and rebuild.
I instead focused on my home City of Manchester, and the sketches which follow below show how I developed the 'Anniversary timeline concept' for the 'MB96 Project' and which later became 'Manchester Bombing Personal Memories' for the 'Royal Exchange Theatre Installation', and the supporting print, the branding I created for MB96 has moved on to be adapted for CHCH.
Now eighteen months later I have the opportunity to explore this area without hinderance, and to fully develop the Identity of this project. The following set of images show the early 'creative development' from my sketchbook, focusing on the visual basis of how a traumatic event can effect an environment, and later how we overcome this and rebuild.
The jump off point for the images within the numbers, started at this point in my sketchbook development, as I was looking at how I could represent the significant Architectural & Urban Colour development which had taken place since the bombing in the city centre.
