Wellington The Arts Capital of Australasia

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[Speech follows]

Media Release: Wellington The Arts Capital of Australasia

On Tuesday 9th of December at 9:30pm at the Statue of Queen Victoria between Kent and Cambridge Terrace.

Augustus Firestone with Aaron Frater, leaders of the “Finalism” painted sculpture international art movement based in Wellington, will be announcing Wellington’s status as Arts Capital of Australasia.

This unique event encompasses a light and art display focussed around the statue of Queen Victoria. The event will apply the philosophy and techniques promoted by the Finalism art movement. Finalism seeks to combine painting and sculpture to add texture to sculpture via colour, and to add depth to painting via relief. In this event, the Queen Victoria statue will be shrouded in colour using light projections. Sculpted and painted replicas will support the main light and art spectacle.

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Wellington’s declaration as the arts capital of Australasia is a response to Liverpool’s Biennial exhibition in 2002, in which Tatsuro Bashi’s “Villa Victoria”, a hotel room constructed around a 5m tall marble statue of Queen Victoria in the middle of the city, sought to establish Liverpool as Europe’s cultural capital.

This “one night only” event will commence with a Haka challenge by Te Rakau Theatre followed by a speech by Augustus Firestone. Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast will speak in support of this unique and dazzling event.

Background:
Finalism: www.sculpturepainted.com
Liverpool Biennial: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2002/sep/27/art.artsfeatures

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I am standing here to declare that Wellington New Zealand is not only the arts capital of New Zealand but of Australasia.

It takes a lot more than just money to make a arts capital, these things are: cultural diversity, support for the arts and artists, but also for artists to feel that Wellington is a artists capital.

Wellington has created a film industry that leads with Peter Jackson, Geoff Dixon of Silver Screen, Sticky Pictures and Kraft Haus and many more.

The music industry like John Psathas Gareth Farr,Margaret Medlyn, NZ String Quartet, Fat Freddies Drop, Phoenix Foundation, Shihad, Black Seeds, Holly Smith and Minuit and many more.

lets not forget our great Flight of the Concord and how well they have done.

Also a Wellington based art movement called Finalism based on painted sculpture.

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Vincents Art Workshop is a world leader in the development of outsider art.

With also great Theatre's like St James, Down Stage, Circa Theatre, Bats Theatre.

Also The Te Rakau Theatre Company for troubled youth which is a world leader in the work that they are doing.

Ground breaking fashion event of WOW World of Wearable Art which is shown in Wellington.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the National Opera and the National dance and drama schools.

More restaurants and bars per-head of population currently anywhere in the world, creating a supportive network for artists.

Great galleries ranging in all sizes. Thus taking more than money to make a arts capital but also the need for a supportive artists capital, which Wellington provides.

Government initiatives like "The Innovative Capital" that is making Wellington the arts capital of Australasia. Government funding that is helping boost it reputation are emerging artists trust... Not to mention the Creative Communities Grants Scheme nation wide, and Kakano funding for Fringe projects.

We must also remember what makes Wellington and New Zealand different to the rest of the region. Maoridom/Tangata whenua with it’s unique language and culture that has over the years become more and more influential in New Zealand culture.

ENDS

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