Spark festival off to flying start

Spark festival off to flying start

After months of planning, Spark Festival of Media, Arts and Design got under way at Wintec on Monday. The event was launched with a powhiri and official welcome featuring Wintec's Kaumatua Tame Pokaia, CEO Mark Flowers and Media Arts Head of School Margi Moore, followed by a morning tea.

Renowned Russian-born documentary filmmaker Marina Goldovskaya was the first of the week's presenters, showing her 1992 film 'The Shattered Mirror' and talking about the intense circumstances it portrays - ordinary people facing a troubled time after the fall of the Soviet Union. Students commented afterwards on the emotional impact of both the film and Goldovskaya herself, whose dynamic and passionate energy inspired many. Her afternoon workshop was overflowing with people, and her screenings in the evening were also very well-received.

Creative advertising team The Special Group also attracted a packed-out audience at lunchtime, taking them through Special's recent successful campaigns for the Green Party and Maxshop. In the evening, the Ramp Gallery opening drew a crowd to check out the opening of the International Poster Exhibition, which runs all through Spark.

To see images from Day 1 of Spark taken by Briarley Hicks, see the Spark 09 Gallery here.

Spark organiser Susanna Wilford was very pleased with Spark's first day. "I was particularly moved by Marina's film and presentation - she's an inspiring character. It also demonstrates one of the reasons we hold Spark - to bring that international awareness to students and the wider community."

Spark is on until Friday and features a number of exciting guests and events. It continues today (Tuesday) with photographer Paul Seawright, Denise L'Estrange Corbet, Media Bites, a number of workshops, an exhibition in W Block at 5.30, and the NZ premiere of Beyond Ipanema at 7.30pm at the Wintec Hub.

See the Spark website at http://www.spark.net.nz for photos and details of the week’s events.

ENDS

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