The New Zealand Fire Service wanted to recognise the considerable help they received from a the thirteen teams of international rescue workers during the February 2011 earthquake. Rather than a ‘traditional’ award we set out to create a collection of memorable sculptures made of material from the Christchurch Cathedral’s collapsed spire.
In 1856, when the original city plan was being initiated it was the vision of Henry Harper, the first Bishop of Christchurch, for the cathedral to be the cornerstone of the new city. With this in mind the award is wrapped in a handmade box that opens to reveal a map of the city Harper helped create – a map that was printed before the landscape was changed so dramatically. Wrapping the award in this map ties the contemporary award back to the city’s past and hints at the exciting possibilities for the its future.
The resultant awards initiates a conversation – enabling the story of Christchurch, and the work that the rescue teams undertook, to be spread further. The award is an object to be treasured and remind the rescue teams of their time in Christchurch, the magnitude of what they did and that their efforts will never be forgotten.
