WATCH THIS SPACE

WATCH THIS SPACE

Dance-O-Mat Artist Gap Filler and various artists DateAugust-October 2022 Location Manchester Street, Central Christchurch

Gap Filler’s Dance-O-Mat is one of Ōtautahi’s most iconic post-quake initiatives – a moveable dance floor that encourages everyone to see the city as a stage! The Dance-OMat has made its home at a number of central city locations but has recently nestled into the vacant lot next to Irish pub Paddy McNaughton’s on Manchester Street. The formerly dilapidated spot has now been brought to life, not just through dance and music, but with an array of urban art additions. Along the top of the northern wall, a large black and white wall painting declares the spot as a ‘Place of Play’, signifying its inclusion in Gap Filler’s Urban Play Network. But it is underneath the monotone painting that the walls really come to life; traditional graffiti pieces and characters produced for the 2022 Christchurch Hip Hop Summit Graffiti Jam bring vibrant colour and a sense of presence. Across the lot, a dedicated paste-up wall, covered by members of the Slap City collective with an array of faces, phrases, and playful imagery, adds variety and embraces the potential for change. Go on, grab your dancing shoes!

Explore more of Ōtautahi’s urban art on a Watch This Space guided street art tour! Emailtours@watchthisspace.org.nz for booking information.

watchthisspace.org.nz/artwork/1065