Heart Strings Exhibition/Concert by Mandy Pickering

A collection of handcrafted guitars commemorating the loss of life and buildings in the Canterbury earthquakes will be on display and the exhibition will include a concert by “Stars in their Eyes” winner and Christchurch-based singer Mandy Pickering at 2:30pm

This event marks the opening of on-line bidding for these unique and historic pieces that are being auctioned in aid of the Christchurch arts community.

Visitors to Te Papa will be given the opportunity to see, touch and hear the Heart Strings guitars which were created by Bruce Pickering with the help of his son, Christchurch musician, Jason Pickering.

Each guitar was handcrafted using timber donated from many historic and heritage buildings, such as the Arts Centre and Deans’ family home, which fell in the September 4th earthquake.

“In many cases the timber itself dictated the story and each piece could be given a new life and an entirely new purpose,” says Jason Pickering, who was involved in collecting the timber.

Graduate is a piece of commanding kauri from the Great Hall of the Arts Centre (formerly the University). Homebush is from the historic Deans’ family home of the same name which was damaged beyond repair. Chester is made from kauri weatherboard from a Victorian house in Chester Street dating back to the late 1800s. Epicentre visually references the 7.1 earthquake’s epicenter and includes a selection of historic timbers paying homage to the emergency services.

In sympathy with the age of the timber used, the guitars have been created using a classic single cut-away shape reminiscent of the 1960s and '70s. Electronic components enhance the vintage effect. The contours are subtle and the rivers and sudden change in topography in the areas at the centre of the devastation are embodied in the designs.

They are fully operational electric guitars which Bruce and Jason Pickering hope people will see as a metaphor for Christchurch – “that something beautiful, lasting and tangible can rise from something broken and destroyed.”

The guitars have also been road tested by Kiwi musicians Don McGlashin, Jason Kerrison, Anna Coddington, Victoria Gerling-Butcher and Dave Dobbyn who commented after strumming Chester; “when you play these guitars, it gives meaning to the words ‘if these walls could talk’”.

On-line bidding for the Heart Strings guitars begins Sunday 12th February and concludes with a ‘live auction’ event and gala dinner in Christchurch on February 24th.

The Heart Strings collection of guitars will also be celebrated in a live concert by Mandy Pickering and her band in Auckland on 11th March at The Wharf. This concert will provide a further opportunity to donate to the Heart Strings project.

Event listed by mandypickering

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