The newly opened Art Gallery partially still under construction is a big step for the city in recovery. It is designed to welcome the public with open spaces, interactive projects, free wifi and exceptionally friendly staff. Elizabeth, Judith, Volker and Darion discuss the exhibited artwork in a corner of the central area. “My favourite artist is Ralph Hotere. The writing on the paintings is only visible if you go close to them. Otherwise the colored circles on the black background are sort of mysterious. And there is black and black but his black I really liked.” Volker is far from experiencing Christchurch as in malady though. “We are from Auckland and we come to Christchurch each year. I see all the new buildings coming up. Maybe the earthquakes did Christchurch good. Before everything was just old and traditional noone wanted to change anything. Now it’s dynamic with old mixed with modern.”