Content Creator's blog post #2
There were more than a few occasions during the Vaccination Station where the XCHC crew looked at each other with a perturbed expression that said one thing: 'did we just do that?'
However, although 'pushing the limits' is typically associated with breaking boundaries in order to discover what is acceptable, XCHC seems to have found a way to reverse-engineer this process. The brains, bodies and spirits behind Saturday's Vaccination Station were well-versed and aware of what our community would not only find acceptable, but would also enjoy participating within; the limits were then pushed to that point. To have a finger on the pulse of your community is not something that an organisation, or movement, achieves with any deal of ease; some never achieve it at all. Here at XCHC, however, that level of emotional and spiritual understanding seems to manifest itself on a daily basis. It has nothing to do with being a younger crew, as we have many 'senior' community members consistently participating in events and rocking-out harder than others on the dance floor. It has nothing to do with being a local crew; the majority of our patrons, residents and crew members originate from foreign lands. I don't think it necessarily has anything to do with being artistic, either, as you typically need some moderate team members to temper the desires of those whom are radically creative. It comes down to nothing more than being human. Understanding what 'rocks people's worlds' is a slow and deliberate process, but being courteous enough to make the attempt costs us nothing. The people involved with XCHC seem to understand that better than your average bear.
This, perhaps, manifested itself mostly clearly during Thursday night's Art Social. Our brilliant artist-in-residence, Shannon Kelly, has created something quite special in Art Social, and she was courageous enough to allow the Black Lives Matter movement, a topic that seems to be dividing many around the world, to influence the seventh iteration of her passion project. The event progressed without a hitch; in fact, it almost goes without saying that it only brought people closer together. As if that was ever in doubt, given the community that aligns itself with XCHC.
And, of course, the week concluded with the now usual cheekiness that has become Sunday Mass. Our satirical bunch of nun-like scoundrels did not falter in leading the XCHC congregation through a brunch of bottomless pancakes, mimosas, and confession. The list of devious crimes that Sister Dan broadcasted from his pulpit, in a slightly sinister voice, were no less tame than the following:
"Forgive me, Father, I must confess. I have indulged many, many times in the reading of erotic literature. Terrible, filthy acts between man & man, woman & woman, all those in between and all together at once! My depravity is such that it has no limits. I fear there is no return for me; and worse, I don't think that I want to."
To up the ante from the Vaccination Station will be a tricky task. Will it be achieved? I have no doubt. ~ Isaac, content creator Exchange Christchurch.
A word from the operator - we had a long overdue strategy meeting before the event. We’re always working on why we're here, what we can achieve with the creative resources at our disposal, and finding who wants to be a part of the next chapter. Plenty of new people will continue showing up. We look forward to welcoming you.
Note: This article was first published on Patreon in June 2020. Have a look and sign up here if you’d like to support the our artists: https://patreon.com/exchange