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Back The Bull By Our Own Ron.
About Back The Bull
Project 2013-07-29 06:44:00 +1200
Help us bring back Chapman's
Homer for all of Christchurch!
Standing proud against a backdrop of devastation, in July last year New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai's two bulls atop bronze pianos seized the city's imagination. A year had past since the worst of the earthquakes that destroyed the inner city. The bulls were here for only 30 days, but they became symbols of the resilience and strength of the people of Christchurch. Parekowhai’s spectacular installation, called On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer, was first shown at the Venice Biennale, then in Paris – and then the bulls came home to a very different setting amid the rubble of a flattened city.Want to make Chapman’s Homer a permanent symbol of Christchurch’s strength?
Standing staunch with destruction all around, defiant and resolute, the standing bull named Chapman’s Homer quickly became a symbol of the city’s strength and perseverance. Christchurch Art Gallery Trust wants to bring it back as a lasting reminder of this extraordinary time in Christchurch.Here are just a couple of comments from visitors...
‘We badly need something inspiring and uplifting… the bull represents brutal nature trampling over us, but [like the piano, an emblem of culture] we’re stalwart and strong.’‘Let’s make a determined effort to keep the ballsy bull in Christchurch – an embodiment of our spirit here!’
With the seated bull sold, the standing bull remains on offer to Christchurch Art Gallery Trust to buy for the city. We want to bring him home for good to symbolise this time for future generations. He’s not cheap, but he’s forever. We’ve just got to bridge a funding gap.
What do we need to make it happen?
In this part of the campaign, the Trust needs to raise $200,000 to buy Chapman’s Homer for Christchurch, where it will take pride of place outside Christchurch Art Gallery. We know the target is huge – it’ll be a PLEDGE ME personal best – but the impact this work had on the city when it was here was equally huge. It will be a symbol of the city’s strength and a gift to future generations.We are hugely grateful for Westpac for coming on board to help make this possible. If we achieve the target through Pledge Me, they and the Trust will together match the $200,000 to make the purchase happen.
NEWS TO HAND
(Update 16 September). We've just added a new pledge reward. For the first 100 x $200 pledges, you'll receive a "I Backed the Bull" souvenir t-shirt from Global Culture. Christchurch Arts Festival staff and Gallery staff and trustees have been wearing them throughout the campaign. Now we're offering 100 limited edition t-shirts to late pledgers! We're running this offer until Chapman's Homer's last day at the Christchurch Arts Festival (Sunday 22 September).Finally!
Want to become a 'Leader of the Charge' and donate $10,000? Call Jo Blair on 027 431 4780 or email her on [email protected]
You have questions? Ask them here.
Want to know more? Read about Michael Parekowhai’s Christchurch installation of On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer here. Check out the bull’s growing fan base on Facebook, or read The Press editorial and other commentary here.
Comments
The People Behind Back The Bull
Updates
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Unbelievable Pledge
12:48AM Wed 11/09/13 on Back The Bull
Dear Back the Bull pledgers (all 540 of you)!
Not sure if you’ve caught up on our news, but we woke this morning to see our charge-o-meter up by $40,000! The blue line now shows three quarters of our target reached! www.backthebull.co.nz
A wonderfully generous young Christchurch couple pledged this huge amount last night to keep Chapman’s Homer in Christchurch. They too are motivated by the power of the work and want to encourage Christchurch to match their enthusiasm for the much hoped-for return (for good) of the bull! Their act of generosity has begun working with an additional $1,500+ being pledged already this morning…
We’ve been lucky enough to meet with them and hear some of their thinking behind the pledge:
“Christchurch needs small wins. We’re playing a part by contributing to a symbol of the community’s fortitude and to help secure a legacy piece. As we see it, this a privilege.
It would be wonderful for the whole community to join arms in this fundraising effort. It's a one-off chance to support a reminder of the extraordinary time we've been through, a symbolic sculpture which has come to mean so much to us here.”
What a privilege to have good sorts like these guys (and all of you) in Christchurch.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
The Back the Bull Team
PS Keep Sunday 22 September free. We’re planning a bangers, burgers and beers day on the Gallery’s forecourt as it’s the last day of Chapman’s Homer at the Christchurch Arts Festival (and the last day of the Festival). All proceeds of course will back the bull!
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Pledges
Chapman's Homer Donation Box - Arts Centre
2013-09-01 21:43:34 +1200Chapman's Homer Donation Box - Arts Centre has pledged on 6 campaigns
Kirstyn & Nathan Tait
2013-09-01 21:10:51 +1200Kirstyn & Nathan Tait has pledged on 6 campaigns
Graeme Cornelius
2013-09-01 21:05:51 +1200Graeme Cornelius has pledged on 1 campaign
Diana Fahey
2013-09-01 20:38:25 +1200Diana Fahey has pledged on 1 campaign
Anonymous pledger
2013-09-01 20:35:09 +1200This pledger has chosen to pledge anonymously
Clare Pattison
2013-09-01 20:32:29 +1200Clare Pattison has pledged on 1 campaign
Anonymous pledger
2013-09-01 18:00:23 +1200This pledger has chosen to pledge anonymously
Anonymous pledger
2013-09-01 17:02:34 +1200This pledger has chosen to pledge anonymously
Eleanor Buchan
2013-09-01 16:57:15 +1200Eleanor Buchan has pledged on 1 campaign
Bridget Eastgate
2013-09-01 15:54:36 +1200Bridget Eastgate has pledged on 2 campaigns
Mary Lyn Fonua
2013-09-01 12:50:02 +1200Mary Lyn Fonua has pledged on 1 campaign
Jeanette & Robin Hickford
2013-09-01 11:32:23 +1200Jeanette & Robin Hickford has pledged on 1 campaign
Renske
2013-09-01 10:56:37 +1200Renske has pledged on 1 campaign
Anonymous pledger
2013-09-01 10:35:00 +1200This pledger has chosen to pledge anonymously
Tim Deans
2013-09-01 09:54:08 +1200Tim Deans has pledged on 3 campaigns
Winsome Brown
2013-09-01 08:39:59 +1200Winsome Brown has pledged on 2 campaigns
Val Baker
2013-08-31 22:38:00 +1200Val Baker has pledged on 1 campaign
Anonymous pledger
2013-08-31 22:19:10 +1200This pledger has chosen to pledge anonymously
Chapman's Homer Donation Box - Arts Centre
2013-08-31 18:35:04 +1200Chapman's Homer Donation Box - Arts Centre has pledged on 6 campaigns
Ros Brenssell
2013-08-31 18:32:26 +1200Ros Brenssell has pledged on 1 campaign
Thomson Wright Family
2013-08-31 16:02:29 +1200Thomson Wright Family has pledged on 1 campaign
Susan Gordon
2013-08-31 14:49:51 +1200Susan Gordon has pledged on 1 campaign
Kevin & Christine Davey
2013-08-31 13:36:19 +1200Kevin & Christine Davey has pledged on 1 campaign
Jan Cliff
2013-08-31 13:01:47 +1200Jan Cliff has pledged on 2 campaigns
Leanne
2013-08-31 12:54:21 +1200Leanne has pledged on 2 campaigns
Anonymous pledger
2013-08-31 12:21:09 +1200This pledger has chosen to pledge anonymously
sam brighouse
2013-08-31 11:46:15 +1200sam brighouse has pledged on 1 campaign
Pauline Barnett
2013-08-31 10:52:25 +1200Pauline Barnett has pledged on 3 campaigns
Jacinta Byron
2013-08-31 10:45:16 +1200Jacinta Byron has pledged on 1 campaign
Anonymous pledger
2013-08-31 10:42:03 +1200This pledger has chosen to pledge anonymously
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Project Campaign
Back The Bull
by Our Own Ron.
Help us buy Michael Parekowhai’s Chapman’s Homer as a permanent symbol of strength and resilience for the earthquake-damaged city of Chri...