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Auckland Festival, AK03Auckland celebrates her first arts festival in nearly three decades. Over 1,000 performers are preparing to entertain the visitors to the beautiful region which straddles an isthmus. Three Harbors provide spectacular imagery. Manukau Harbor on the west coast opening to the Tasman Sea; Waitemata Harbor and Hauraki Gulf on the east. And in the north-west New Zealand's larger harbor, Kaipara. Auckland Festival, AK03, begins on September 20th through October 5th and showcases both visual and performing arts. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, proclaims, "The festival adds to Auckland's artistic infrastructure. It is an asset for the people of the region, for New Zealand as a whole, and will be a great attraction for visitors." Fresh and innovative are the key words to describe the presentations amassed by the organizers of AK03. Many artists and locations struggle to publicize contemporary art. Auckland through AK03 has risen to this challenge admirably. Nine Lives: The Chartwell Exhibition 2003 is a contemporary art collection amassed by Rob Gardiner comprising of nearly 700 works. Since 1998 the collection has been loaned to the Auckland Art Gallery. One of the key goals of the collection is to publicize ongoing developments in Contemporary Art specific to New Zealand and Australian art. Among the artists are: Julian Dashper, Jacqueline Fraser, Bill Hammond, Michael Parekowhai, Peter Peryer, John Reynolds and Mike Stevenson. This exhibition focuses on nine artists who will each be represented with a dedicated room for their works. Robert Leonard, curator of Nine Lives and the new curator of Contemporary Art for the Auckland Art Gallery describes the exhibition "I would like Nine Lives to be read as essentially a show of individuals." There is an "exhibition-within-the-exhibition" to showcase the work of the late Giovanni Intra, who passed away last year. Giovanni Intra was known for diversity within his work. He explored numerous mediums and was known for his alternative creativities. A special evening will be held on Friday September 26, 6-10 Nine Lives After Dark: featuring events, performances and screenings. While at the Auckland Art Gallery an exhibition of note is 20th Century Modern: Picasso, Chagall, Moore..., which is comprised of artworks from the Gallery's permanent collections and some works on loan. Modernism from the acknowledged masters of that era contrasted with the regional influences of current experiences in the New Zealand art world can be seen by viewing both exhibitions. The Hedge described as "upbeat and playful" is a bright green hedge of virtual leaves that will be found at "surprise locations around the city". Instead of the traditional, the organizers and the artists, Hannah and Aaron Beehre, are bringing their art to the streets for those who might not otherwise see the nouveau and provocative works. The theme is to bring color and style to the urban jungle.
The City Artists Network was formed in 2001 to promote local artist's work and broaden the public's access to art. The result is Art on the Buses. Reproductions of the artwork will be carried on city buses via a vinyl banner on the driver's side to promote AK03 and Art on the Buses. An exhibition and sale of work will be held at the Spiral Gallery, Queen Street, on the last day of AK03 Sunday October 5th.
Ahi Kass Rock Carving
Auckland itself has an interesting history known as Tamaki Makau Rau in Maori which translates into "the maiden with100 lovers." Believed to describe Auckland's history as a prominent place to conquer being rich in natural resources and having natural defenses. Today Auckland is the largest Polynesian city, yet there is a mixture of cultures within Auckland given its long history.
The nationally touring exhibition, is described by it's curator, Giles Peterson as "a window to the dynamic exchange between the art, spirituality, politics and the history of the Maori culture." He adds, "As a storyteller Robyn tells passionate tales of Aotearoa -- about the land, the people -- about strength and survival. About finding and celebrating the 'ordinary hero' in all of us. It is a thought-provoking powerful work that leads the viewer to examine issues that face Maori today." Howick's Creative Center in Uxbridge will be the only Auckland location for Mauri Ora. The exhibition is open to the public free of charge from September 2nd through to Friday October 3rd. Auckland is both an urban center and a natural environment for hiking, sailing and many other leisure activities. Few places offer the visitor the chance to picnic on a volcano thanks to the cities incredible geography. Auckland is a city and yet within it's landscape are over 50 islands adding to its warm humid climate this is a place to rest, relax and also enjoy. |
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