Latest update: 05/12/2017
Huge comic strip on Convention Centre site
An application has been made to Guinness World Records to recognise a new hoarding on the Christchurch Convention Centre site as the largest comic strip ever produced by an individual.
Located on the Cathedral Square side of the Convention Centre site, “Ōtautahi: An Origin Story” brings elements of Christchurch’s past and future to life through a 272m2 graphic novel.
The comic strip is the first professionally commissioned artwork produced by 28-year-old Felicity Jane Powell of RE:Edit Publishing.
“Ōtākaro showed a huge amount of faith in my work and me, with such a huge blank canvas in a central location. I wanted to use the opportunity to produce something that encourages visitors and residents to re-think their places and to feel like they are a valued part of the story we’re unfolding here in Christchurch,” says Miss Powell.
“As far as I’m aware there is no current record for largest comic strip ever produced by an individual, so I’m hoping to hear soon that Christchurch has claimed it.”
The story is told both through graphic devices and interactive areas which ask people to put themselves in the picture and share on social media using specific hashtags, to bring the conversation to life.
“There are ‘selfie-spots’ and different areas where people can share their own unique parts of the story and make it their own. Empowerment and engagement has been such a huge part of our recovery in Christchurch. From my experiences here, I really do believe that where we gather together, extraordinary things happen,” says Miss Powell.
The Christchurch Convention Centre is being delivered by Ōtākaro Limited on behalf of the Crown.
Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley says photos do not do this 113-metre-long work justice.
“A lot of people are going to use the Convention Centre when it opens in 2020 but we have an opportunity to use this fence line to provide a point of interest in the central city right now. This work tells a relatable story in a way we’ve not seen before.”
Miss Powell worked closely with Matapopore on the development of the comic strip.
“Christchurch is a city of opportunity and change, and being able to express mana whenua values in a way that shines a light on the past and captures a bright future is a unique example of that,” says Matapopore General Manager Debbie Tikao.
The Christchurch Convention Centre will include a 1400-delegate auditorium, a 3600m2 exhibition hall and 1600m2 of meeting rooms that will overlook Victoria Square.
The tower crane with the longest arm used in the rebuild is now operational on site, and construction of the Convention Centre’s walls is underway.
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For more information visit - https://anoriginstory.co.nz/artist/
