‘A Living Mural’ & One Woman ‘Frida’ Show
Press release
Thursday 20th April 2000
CITY
GALLERY WELLINGTON
anne.irving@wcc.govt.nz
‘A
Living Mural’ & One Woman ‘Frida’ Show
Final weeks for
VIVA LA VIDA
Closing Sunday 30 April, 2000
With VIVA LA VIDA moving into its final week, City Gallery Wellington presents a week of events beginning after the Easter Break. The Ambassador of Mexico, a Maori actress playing Frida Kahlo, and a group of musicians will all feature at the gallery.
‘A LIVING MURAL : the power of the imagination in
Mexico’s modern art and culture’ Wednesday 26th April, 8
pm
In this fascinating lecture, His Excellency Mr Jorge
Alvarez, Ambassador of Mexico will explore the essence of
what has given Mexico its own identity, providing key
historical reference points and thoughts on cultural codes
and values from the 1920s to the 1960s.
“I will use
images and sound clips so that people will see how the
visual arts, architecture, poetry, film and literature have
unfolded in Mexico over the years.” said Mr Alvarez. “They
will see Siqueiros and Octavio Paz, our artists and
musicians. I want to put that on the table for New
Zealanders. They will be surrounded by a 'living mural' of
the arts.”
Free.
HERE I PAINT MYSELF, FRIDA KAHLO
Friday 28 & Saturday 29 April at 8 pm
After excellent
reviews on the London theatre circuit, Jillian Tipene brings
her striking performance of the remarkable life of Frida
Kahlo to City Gallery Wellington. In this one-woman show,
Tipene highlights Frida’s tragedy, adversity, addiction and
triumph using an array of mixed media. Her powerful spirit
is captured through the use of projected images, lights,
guitar, dance, poetry and interaction with the audience.
Tipene, who has a strong resemblance to Kahlo, brings to
life the artist’s formidable character.
‘A passionate
tribute to the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, that succeeds in
creating a sense of excitement about the work.’ - The
Herald.
Tipene, of Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa and Irish descent,
recently returned to New Zealand after more than fifteen
years in theatre and film in New York and London. This show
had an acclaimed four-week season at the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival in 1997. Directed by Leon Herbert with Forbes
Henderson and Mike Ainsworth. Tickets $15 & $12. Door sales
only, Gallery Cinema.
BRUCE MCKINNON ET AL. Saturday 29
April, 2-3pm
Bruce McKinnon, Lawrence Reese and a group
of talented percussionists will be performing a selection of
Mexican classical and contemporary music. As members of the
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, McKinnon and Lawrence will
be playing with four of their students from Victoria
University. The performance will feature works by Carlos
Chavez and Steve Reich. Be at the gallery on Saturday to
hear the authentic songs of Mexico. Free with
Admission.
Summary of Viva La Vida Admission prices
Adults (weekday) $11 Concession $9
Adults
(weekends) $14 Concession $12
Children under 16 $6
Family group $30
* Booked tertiary and
$5
school education visits
Group discounts
available.
Weekday prices ($11, $9) will be charged on Good Friday (21 April ), Easter Monday and Tuesday 25 April (ANZAC Day), and the Gallery will be open from 10-6pm on these days. All exhibitions after VIVA LA VIDA to the end of the year are free. The programme of New Zealand contemporary art begins on 13 May 2000.
VIVA LA VIDA has been brought
to New Zealand through the generous sponsorship of
:
Telecom New Zealand; Ernst & Young, and Russell
McVeagh.
City Gallery Wellington acknowledges the
generous support of:
The Vergel Foundation, New
York
Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes
(Conaculta).
Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (INBA)
Embassy of Mexico
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade
New Zealand Embassy in Mexico
Totally
Wellington
The Dominion
The Evening Post
The
Chartwell Trust
VIVA LA VIDA is a New Zealand Festival
2000
event.