185 chairs, Memorial sculpture in Christchurch, New Zealand.
185 Chairs is an art installation of white seats arranged in rows across an open field in Christchurch. The collection contains various types of furniture including dining chairs, armchairs, beanbags, and baby seats, all painted white and positioned in neat lines.
The installation was created in 2013 as a memorial to the 185 people who died in the earthquake of February 22, 2011. The artwork was made to help process the tragic event and give the victims a lasting tribute.
Each chair represents a person who died, with the different seat types showing their distinctiveness and individuality. This variety of seating, from dining chairs to baby seats, makes the personal importance of every single life visible.
The site is accessible year-round with no entrance fee required. The white chairs need regular maintenance to keep their appearance, so you may notice ongoing upkeep or touch-ups during your visit.
Artist Peter Majendie deliberately chose different chair types instead of traditional memorial symbols. This choice makes the memorial unusual because it expresses the diversity of those lost through everyday furniture pieces.
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