We found another old post from February 2020 with a recap of what was going on before Covid-19 started to spread around the globe. Check out some of our history (for example our accommodation “The Crossing” that we took over at the beginning of 2020).
EVENTS:
Jan 10th - Arts & Crafts for Australia
The Exchange and The Conscious Club teamed up to support our whanau across the ditch in the wake of the Australian bush fires.
We invited the community and creatives to come together and make joey pouches, bat wraps, crochet nests and more for the Australian wildlife affected by the fires.
They successfully made it over to Australia and check out this cutie in our wraps <3
Jan 15th - Mindfulness & Printmaking Workshop (Hand-block Printing)
Hosted by XCHC and brought to you by Hilary Jean Tapper this workshop was learning how to block print with artist and bhakti yoga practitioner Kuva Zakheim. Where he taught the class about the sacred tradition of hand-block printing from India and experience the meditative benefits of printing with consciousness and intention.
Jan 15th - Pocket Doll Workshop (Courage Dolls)
Hosted by XCHC and brought to you by Hilary Jean Tapper this workshop was about creating your own pocket-sized doll with a message of courage inside with dollmaker Hilary Jean Tapper, creator of Courage Dolls. The dolls are the perfect companion for a loved one to hold, for play, or to keep your pocket and inspire strength within.
Jan 15th - XCHC Figure Drawing: Preston
A great experience for new and established artists to come and practice figure drawing with XCHC's own XO Preston. Life drawing was incorporated with the Japanese tradition of Shibari, making for a creative drawing exercise.
Jan 16th - Climate of Fear and Desire: A Theatrical Inquiry
An interactive theatre experience hosted by XCHC and brought to you by Extinction Rebellion Ōtautahi: A heartfelt evening of co-created theatre, exploring our struggles with the climate crisis, with overwhelm, paralysis, conflict - and how we might find healthy ways through this.
A story chosen from the group will be the seed of a theatrical inquiry, asking how we can navigate the relational, emotional complexity of the crisis in a regenerative, creative way. It'll be a moving and empowering evening, growing our understanding of where we are and how we want to act.
Jan 17th - Tranceform: Blacklight Ecstatic Dance
No phones, no drugs and no alcohol.
Ecstatic dance in centred around losing yourself in the moment in dance and creating a high vibrational space to move your body. As well as the music the blacklight art was created by artist Heidi Coppard to create a total body full immersive creative experience.
Feb 3rd - Hello Chou Exhibition
Presented by Skillwise & XCHC
A solo exhibition showcasing the best works from Peter Chou's collection. An amazing opportunity to support local artists and enjoy the quality around the world collection of Peter's works. Peter has an incredible eye for detail. He combines his meticulous detail and craftsmanship with a quirky view. With his photographic memory and interest in places, he creates exquisite drawings filled with information where things are exactly a little out of the ordinary. He creates detailed illustrations of cities and famous buildings he has visited with his parents, both overseas and in New Zealand. Using high quality felt pens he draws directly onto A4 paper without doing any preliminary sketches, and never uses a ruler. Peter also makes model aeroplanes, all of which have the same minute attention to detail and scale.
Feb 14th - Amber's EP Release Show
An EP Release Show where Amber showcased her yet-to-be-released songs and more. Amber was supported by 'There’s a Tuesday’ who won the solo/duo category in NZ's National ‘Smokefree Rockquest’. It was a great night full of talent and emerging musicians.
Feb 17th - Getting Somewhere - Centuri Chan - Photography Exhibition
Centuri is a well know photographer in Christchurch his exhibition of photographic works bridge the genres of street photography, travel, and architecture. Getting somewhere was an exploration of urban landscapes and geometry in the built environment, as well as an expression of his inquisitive nature and personal creative journey.
Feb 21st - Pop-Up Concert Featuring Canadian Multi-instrumentalist Prosad
Prosad is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist, singer and inspirational speaker who has traveled the world sharing his unique blend of sitar, guitar, acoustic reggae and world music. From lush soundscapes, to contagious reggae grooves and inspiring lyrics, Prosad loops everything live and takes you on a journey of the soul.
RESIDENTS
We welcomed a bunch of new residents into XCHC this year, from entrepreneurs to visual artists and fashion designers.
Here are some highlights our residents have achieved so far this year:
Kophie Hulsbosch | Designer/Illustrator/Mural Artist | Resident for 2 years
After returning from holiday in February back into work at XCHC I have been working on quite a few projects including branding for an upcoming Graffiti festival in New Brighton organising a market with The Conscious Club x Arts Centre as well as a working on upcoming murals for Shaka Bros at the new Riverside Market, YHA & Watch this Space and a massive 400sq mural at a lazer tag in Flipout. I also do the design for The XCHC and run a sustainable clothing brand Future Apparel.
The Conscious Club | Sustainable Events | Residents for 6 months
As of 2020 we have held the Arts & Crafts event for Australia helping our furry friends in Auz and The Sumner Beach Clean Up collecting micro plastics with Our Seas Our Future. Coming up we have The Conscious Club x Arts Centre Makete, Clothing for a Cause and a Mental Health and Wellbeing Chat Series.
Accommodation
The Loft & The Crossing
We have a new apartment! The Crossing is a new space at XCHC a meeting point, nesting place, social kitchen, hangout space for artists and creatives traveling to Christchurch New Zealand. Untraditional, unplanned, unbelievable amounts of aroha.
We have had many cool cats stay up there such as Ben, a street artist from Berlin we managed to tee him up a wall at the new Riverside Market.
Much more stories to come ;)
That’s us for now,
We are off to inspire creativity for the upcoming months and years to come.
Thanks for your support <3