I first posted about Russell Plume’s creative use of washed up pieces of brick to form quotations from Shakespeare here here and here.
Here is a piece of brick in the sand from my wanderings today.
Just the same as those Russell has picked up in his wanderings and used to form the quotations.
Russell had intended that this quote be permanently placed somewhere in Christchurch to recognise the people there and all they had experienced and endured from the 12,500 (and probably more) earthquakes since 2010.
I follow the Shakespeare by the sea Facebook page and learnt a day or so ago that this setting of the quote has been erected on one of the sea walls along Plimmerton beach in honour of the people of Christchurch. From the Facebook page: What is the city but the people? Dedicated to the people of Christchurch. Installed January, 2014 by Porirua City Council. Many thanks to them and to the Mayor Nick Leggett.
This setting is installed on the fence at the property on the north side Queens Ave (go to the end of the street, walk down onto the beach, and turn right).
And so I followed the directions this morning and here is the quote for Christchurch.
Here are some of the other quotations Russell created along this stretch of my favourite beach.
ordinarygoodness 
I love these! and it’s so nice to see more of them. The second one took a while to work out, then I got it. Thanks for posting them Lynley.
They are wonderfully unique. I love that Russell made something so creative and poetic out of sea-worn bricks off the beach.
Yes the second quotation I have included is trickier to read. That Pohutukawa has grown down across the first words. The light was tricky today too….a really chilly wind was blowing right along the beach.
Isn’t that lovely? I feel loved 🙂
I hope you read Russell’s comment from today…..his imagery and vision for the piece is moving. You all deserve so much love:-)
I hope that one day he will be able to put up another quote for Christchurch, when it finally arises from the rubble. We are getting there…but slowly 🙂
Slowly but steadily seems a good course of action….as long as it is steady progress that makes sense to the residents.
Yes!
Those are wonderful. And much appreciated by this Christchurch person.
Thanks Ruth. I hope you have seen Russell’s comment on this post today.
Hello Lynley and thank you for being such an enthusiastic advocate for this work.
As you have noted, I had other intentions for the “What is the city…” setting. When it was made, I thought of it as a reference to Plimmerton. The 22 February earthquake changed my thinking. I saw the destruction — which was such a prominent part of the daily news — elaborated in my mind’s eye. The mental image was of enormous piles of bricks and broken concrete. Because the setting had been made from rubble converted into the poetry of no less an intellect than William Shakespeare, it seemed to me apt that his words should encourage the people of Christchurch to rise from its own rubble and become again the poetry that it was.
Once again, thank you.
Russell Plume
Hi Russell. I received notification about “What is the city….” from the Facebook page. I had not seen any mention of it in the Kapi-mana newspaper but perhaps I had just missed any article on the setting being installed. I feel sad if there was no publicity around it and your meaningful vision for the piece.
Several of my regular blog readers live in Christchurch and they have left appreciative comments today. I hope you enjoy them.
Do you have any further quotes planned for Plimmerton along the walls?
Good wishes
Lynley
Good morning Lynley,
The comments attached to your post are very touching. Thanks to you and to your readers.
I have three more settings that have yet to appear along the wall.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men” from Julius Caesar.
“Out damn’d spot, out I say!”. A desperately unhinged Lady MacBeth giving a gentle reminder to dog owners… .
“Ahakoa iti he pounamu”. A Māori proverb: “Although small it is precious” (another reference to Plimmerton…).
The complete collection is still a work in progress.
The ‘tide’ setting has a home which hasn’t been constructed yet. The other two are orphans.
Were you aware that “Brevity is the soul of wit” is above the surge wall 4 or 5 houses south of Queens Ave (down to the end, turn left)?
Thanks again for being so supportive.
Cheers
Russell
Love this – and my great grandad Piper was a brick-maker in Christchurch so it’s really special
I’m glad you like this. These settings have made many, many connections for many different people.
How wonderful to find these well known and much loved quote looking over the sea….I love it 🙂
The timeless sea and the timelessness of Shakespeare and his poetry do sit beautifully together…..I like your thinking:-)
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I love this! What a wonderful idea to take things made by man, worn by the sea and put to such artistic and thoughtful use. ‘The quality of mercy’ is one of my favourite quotes. Russell has certainly ‘blessed the place beneath’!Thank you for sharing this. P
Thank you for your descriptive response. It’s a pleasure to share with you and others around the world.
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