Exhibition
We Built This City
WE BUILT THIS CITY - Porirua: 50 Years Young 7 June – 20 September 2015
When the new city of Porirua was built in the mid-1960s, the old town completely disappeared. No street remained unchanged, no city centre buildings, even the Kenepuru stream was diverted and reconstructed. The new modern city emerged brand new as if there never had been a town beneath it. Everything was different. This is shown clearly on overlaid maps/plans of the town, old and new. Porirua was purpose-built. We Built This City exhibition explores the creation of Porirua since 1965 through its buildings, streets and villages.
The exhibition takes visitors on a tour through the city and region, with the gallery loosely laid out to follow the shape of the harbour with the city front and centre, Cannon’s Creek, Aotea, Whitby, Pauatahanui and more to the right/East and Elsdon, Takapuwahia, Titahi Bay, Plimmerton, Hongoeka and more to the left/West.
The galleries reflects the built-up environment of the city centre giving way to the vistas and landscapes of the region through using built-up boxes and showcases in the centre, and large-scale wallpapered images on the walls to the outer edges of the space.
There are photos, films and projections as well as maps and plans, objects and interactive elements to engage visitors of all ages.
EXHIBITION PARTNER: CARRUS TOP IMAGE: Photograph by Ans Westra. Pride in Porirua Rally , 1981. Collection of Porirua City Council. Listen to Pataka's history curator Alice Masters discuss We Built This City with Radio New Zealan's Lynn Freeman here: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/201757411/porirua-proud
