B.

Michael Parekowhai's piano not only looks good – it sounds fantastic. I spoke to Christchurch piano tuner Wytze Hoekstra, who's the man whose job it has been to keep the instrument sounding its best throughout its time here.

Our presentation of internationally-renowned New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai's On First Looking into Chapman's Homer has proved so popular amongst Christchurch residents that its opening hours will now be extended.

I briefed some of the many pianists who put their names forward to play Michael Parekowhai's wonderful red piano on 27 June just before On first looking into Chapman's Homer opened here in Christchurch. 

Answer: No one cries when you chop up a piano.

Apparently that's only the third worst piano joke of all time...

For the record, here is the text of the poem by John Keats (1795-1821), written in 1816, entitled On first looking into Chapman's Homer.

On Valentine's Day in Paris, He Korero Purakau mo te Awanui o Te Motu Story of a New Zealand River, the third of Michael Parekowhai's pianos from the Venice Biennale, was unveiled to the public.

Fresh from its recent success at the Venice Biennale, two works from Michael Parekowhai's project On First Looking into Chapman's Homer have travelled to Paris. 

Michael Parekowhai's extraordinary sculptural installation On first looking into Chapman's Homer, New Zealand's official presentation at this year's Venice Biennale, finished its triumphant outing at this amazing exhibition on 23 October.

Yes it is.

Watch Gallery director Jenny Harper discussing Michael Parekowhai's work at the 2011 Venice Biennale.

Last chance to view the Holloway Press exhibition at Central Library Peterborough this week so if you are in the neighbourhood and like beautifully printed, designed and hand-crafted books then make sure you head along. 

Christchurch Art Gallery is excited to be working with Wellington-based artist Sian Torrington on a site-specific sculptural installation that will combine ideas, images and materials that relate to living in Christchurch now.

See below for a message from Sian to find out how you can get involved.

The Gallery's latest exhibition in the Outer Spaces programme, Showhome, has opened in Christchurch, featuring the disconcertingly 'perfect' works of recent University of Canterbury graduate Emily Hartley-Skudder.

The popularity of Reconstruction: Conversations on a City has led to the exhibition being extended until 14 October, and the development of a publication.

If you've not been down to the Central Library Peterborough yet now's a good time to do it.

We're pretty pleased with what we're achieving with our Outer Spaces programme, but it's always good to see what else is out there. And I do mean 'out there'...

In preparation for the next issue of Bulletin, Gallery photographer John and I have been out photographing some of the local artists who will be taking part in Rolling Maul when we reopen.