Hey, who’s that new guy…

I first met Sam at Burning Seed, a regional Burning Man event in Australia. Sam was leading a team of about 60 people, a community he started called “Crunchy Town”, to build a huge communal kitchen, costume tent, chill lounge & games room, concert stage, and pop-up bar in the heart of the Matong State Forest… aka the fucking dessert.

I thought they were crazy. And I liked it.

For the next few days, 4,000 attendees would trickle through our “theme camp” where they experienced what we created for them; activities like workshops, music, and yoga while featuring upcycled funky furniture, clothing, art, and instruments. And if you were lucky enough to be around at the right time, you’d be invited to join our crew of 60+ for a communal meal twice a day (there was somehow always enough food).

Crunchy Town theme camp | Burning Seed 2019

Sam and I quickly became friends; both interested in supporting others who like us, are interested in living more creative and fulfilling lives; contrary to most mainstream and societal expectations. We’re even more interested in how both intersect and co-exist peacefully.

Sounds too good to be true sometimes. And yet, here we are.

We even occasionally drive around and look for big warehouses and dream of turning them into future creative spaces and homes.

Sam and his beautiful partner Vale came from Australia to New Zealand last year and traveled down from Auckland just before lockdown to move in with me.

We lived together above XCHC and fed off of each others experiences and passion for building a better system for that empowers the communities around us.

He has become like a brother and since day 1 has been pouring his creative gift into XCHC, building the beautiful furniture and installations.

Thanks to all the support XCHC has been getting since lockdown, we’re lucky to have enough momentum to expand the team and hire Sam as our Facilities Manager. He’s also helping start the Crunchy Town Bar & Cafe right here at XCHC.
(their story | facebook page).

Hey, Sam…

Where are you from and what brings you to New Zealand?

I moved here from Melbourne, where I was born, but not really ever tied to one place. From the experiences I’ve had in the places I’ve lived, I experienced living in Sydney, London, Vancouver Canada, and near Seattle in the US.
I did a loop, originally escaping the pressure to “do” or “be something”. I was looking for the time to find what it was I interested in. In that experience, I learned what I wanted to do through an organic process and it started grow around me. It happened one bit at a time, very slowly. By the time it was in aciton I was unaware it had even taken place until I was surrounded by 50 people in a warehouse creating crazy shit; living a fulfilling life… the dream really.
I moved to New Zealand to be with the person I love, Vale. We couldn’t live together in Australia, so we moved to New Zealand. After connecting deeper with each other and what we wanted in our lives, we realized we needed a place to continue to grow individually and as a couple. New Zealand gave us that chance and we gravitated from across the country to XCHC.

What have you seen or experienced in Christchurch that makes it the place where you want to live?

I haven’t seen a lot, yet. I spent a lot of time [lockdown] living above XCHC. I’m not trapped here, it’s just given me the opportunity to work, play, and live a more balanced lifestyle.
The city has opportunities. It’s not set yet. It has this flexibility that allows you to show up and be a part of how the city grows.
I also love the outdoors.
It’s a city with social groups with values and a lifestyle that I align with.
Mary Hush is another initiative in the city that I’m happy to be a part of.

Tell us a bit about what you’re are passionate about?

Fixing things. Sometimes things aren’t necessarily broken, but I can’t help myself but find ways to help or improve how they work/function.
After living in community and finding this way of living, without money being so important to me, I found ways to recycle waste and turn trash into treasure; turning things like pallets in beautiful furniture and bath tubs into lamps. Theres something gratifying about turning something that might be useless to someone, into something of art to me.
I’m also into games, sports/outdoor activities; soccer, frisbee, skating, surfing, snowboarding. Something I’m excited to get into when Summer comes!

What drew you to XCHC?

Meeting you [Preston] at Burning Seed and Kiwiburn, and understanding what XCHC was representing in terms of art and community. On top of that, hearing so many of our friends talking about it. Jan, Sven, Anna and many of our friends were affected by the power of this place. It was an all-over impression that became a gravitational pull. It had all the characteristics of a place I wanted to be.

What is your creative edge and where do you hope to grow?

Decorations. Transforming space, an empty room, into a living organism. Finding a way to reach the center of all the senses through immersive art.

What are you looking forward to right now?

Looking forward to our next production (an immersive exhibition/party with an “Underworld” theme); turning XCHC into a firey cave and filling it with the energy of people.

Sounds good. Thanks for looking after the place!

You’ll find Sam in the studios upcycling and making installations, caring for the plant nursery, or in a park close-by. Come say hi.