A colourful new way to see the light
Let there be light – and there is – in fluorescent shades of pink, blue and green at Nelson’s cathedral.
Christ Church Cathedral has lit its ornamental cross with an LED display that its dean hopes will draw visitors to see the light.
The display, which can move through a range of colours at variable intervals, was recently gifted to the cathedral by a member of the business community.
Dean Mike Hawke said that while such light arrays were uncommon in New Zealand cathedrals, he hoped it would bring more people inside the cathedral for a look, and possibly further visits each Sunday.
Hawke said the lights would remain a permanent addition to the cross behind the altar. Their installation also coincides with the return of the popular Light Nelson event, with the cathedral taking part by opening its doors to the public for extended hours.
Light Nelson runs from July 6-10 with more than 60 light art installations in the central city’s historic Queens Gardens, Albion Square, NMIT and surrounds.
Hawke said the cathedral would be open until midnight on Friday July 6 and Saturday July 7. Evensong by candlelight will also take place on Sunday, July 8 from 5.30pm.
‘‘Imagine what it’s going to be like at midnight in the winter and the church full of candles?’’ he said.
The cathedral has been previously used during the 2011 Nelson Arts Festival, with the Piki Mai audio-visual artwork enthralling the city through a large-scale projection and lighting on the cathedral and the Church Steps.
Seven years later, Hawke said the Light Nelson weekend would be one way of combining ‘‘the three C’s – Christ, cathedral and community’’.
‘‘The link between the cathedral and the city has gone a wee bit, and I want to try and bring that back.
‘‘We want to join in with the community, working together and celebrating Light Nelson.’’