185 Empty Chairs, Christchurch (must see)

Christchurch was staggered by the Earthquake of February, 2011 and 185 people died. On the first anniversary of the quake, Peter Majendie, a local artist, set up 185 chairs. The chairs were painted white. Peter arranged the chairs on the site of the demolished Oxford Terrace Baptist Church. The chairs did not go unnoticed.

In October of that year the exhibit moved to the location of demolished Saint Paul's Church. This location is opposite the CTV Building. It was in this building that 115 people died.

The chairs are of differing styles and types. Peter's idea was an homage to Vincent Van Gogh's painting of chairs reflecting the different personalities of their owners. This is an installation that does not need words to explain itself. Arranged in rows, on green turf, the chairs invite visitors to walk among them, to share experiences.

The White Chairs of Majendie have inspired uncounted responses from around the world. It is a moving memorial to the loss of the 185 and the emptiness left behind. Today these 185 Empty Chairs are a top attraction in Christchurch.