A few words in the news a couple of years ago: Earthquake in Christchurch. I almost immediately forgot about it. Now I see. Now I remember. Now I start to understand what it means.

I get a map, look for the library. Libraries are usually a nice place to work. Where it is supposed to be is an empty lot. Across the street I see a sign that says “City Council”. There I ask about the library. It is gone, like so much else …

The office is actually overseeing the reconstruction. I am told that disputes between the insurance companies and the owners of many buildings stopped the reconstruction efforts in many places. So years after the event I still see the genuine destruction.

In many places there is something missing.

Facades hide behind container walls. I guess, to protect pedestrians in case of a final collapse.

Sometimes a facade is all that is left.

Disaster seems to inspire the local artists.

I wonder whether there is a connection between suffering and creativity?

For every abandoned building …

… there seems to be a mural.

Some come with a message, …

… some with a box.

What is he seeing?  A Barrier? A Canvas? …