‘Slightly haunted but manageable’: new signs cause confusion – and delight – in Christchurch

Outside an abandoned building in New Zealand’s second-biggest city, a sign reads “slightly haunted but manageable”. In the middle of a busy shopping strip, pedestrians are warned to keep to a 2.83km/h walking speed. In another part of the Christchurch, one piece of signage declares simply “don’t”.

The baffling boards are not an overzealous new council initiative, but a piece of art designed to “play with the way we take authority and signage so seriously”.

Despite resembling official Christchurch city council signs, the “Christchurch city confusion” warnings are the work of artist Cameron Hunt.

“The idea was to make signs that look official, but with completely absurd messages, therefore creating moments of confusion, followed by little bursts of joy,” Hunt told the Guardian.

Hunt erected six signs around the city centre, as part of the Little Street art festival early this month. Each was conceived with a specific location in mind.

“Watching people interact with the signs has been awesome,” Hunt said. “There have also been a few grumpy people who’ve joked about writing to the council about these ‘ridiculous signs’.”

The council, however, is thrilled.

“Hunt’s signs are truly delightful,” said Kiri Jarden, the council’s principal adviser for community arts. “We totally support artists using humour to gently interrupt and engage passersby.”

People have been taking photos, sharing them online, and turning the signs into a treasure hunt, Hunt said. In some instances, people have posted their confusion to social media, only to be promptly informed the signs are tongue-in-cheek.

One Reddit user posted an image to the site asking if the walking speed limit sign was “for real?”. “I’m naturally a fast walker so a bit concerned,” they wrote, prompting a wave of replies.

“Just because it’s a confusing prank how does that constitute art?” one wrote.

Another said: “To the person who made and installed this sign: well done, one of the greatest pieces of guerrilla art I’ve ever seen. The fact that somebody even fell for it just makes it so much better.”

Hunt hopes his work challenges people stop and notice their surroundings.

“Each piece is a small, interactive moment for people, sparking curiosity and conversation in a way that murals or graffiti cannot.”