Extensive Visual Arts Programme in NZIAF

Extensive Visual Arts Programme in the New Zealand International Arts Festival 2010

The 2010 New Zealand International Arts Festival will offer a stand out visual arts programme incorporating the public galleries of the Wellington region.

“The visual arts provide additional perspective to the Festival, opening our eyes to new ways of seeing and understanding that which is around us - it is a very important part of the Festival,” says Lissa Twomey, Artistic Director of the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

In the City Gallery, 40 speakers stand in eight clusters of five. The configuration is Canadian artist Janet Cardiff’s Forty-Part Motet (2001). Each speaker features a single voice in the polyphonic and chordal Spem in Alium by English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis (1573). Spem in Alium was composed for 40 voices and this recording is of the Salisbury Cathedral Choir.

The City Gallery will also host Trans-form: The Abstract Art of Milan Mrkusich as well as Seraphine Pick: Tell Me More as these exhibitions tour the country.

Well-known for his ‘solid-light’ installations that began with his seminal Line Describing a Cone in 1973, Adam McCall’s work has been seen in all major galleries and museums around the world. During the Festival his Drawing with Light will exploit the distinct architecture of the Adam Art Gallery at Victoria University.

The 11th century Norman architecture of England’s Durham Cathedral was the inspiration for The Messenger by pioneer video artist Bill Viola. New York-based Viola has led video art and installation for more than 35 years exploring the phenomena of sense perception as an avenue to self-knowledge. The NewDowse in Lower Hutt hosts The Messenger.

The Shapeshifter sculpture show returns to Civic Gardens and TheNewDowse in Lower Hutt and features more than 50 large and small-scale sculptures. On Wellington’s waterfront Peter Trevelyan’s 4 Plinths Sculpture Project presented by the Wellington Sculpture Trust positions four bulbous kinetic forms made from hinged and mirrored equilateral triangles which reflect the constantly changing surroundings. Gold Partners: New Zealand Post Group, TV3, Clemenger BBDO, Pacific Blue. Funders: Absolutely Positively Wellington, Creative New Zealand

Pataka Museum will present three exhibitions. Firstly, Catherine O’Donnell’s Light & Shadow Drawings, large scale charcoals of dimly lit deserted scenes of back streets and spaces in Blacktown, Australia. West Africa; Rhythm and Spirit a personal collection of textiles, masks, drums and jewellery from West Africa. Lastly, Bamiyan: In the Heart of Afghanistan will give visitors an insight into the history and culture of this strife ridden region through local crafts, photographs and paintings by army artist Captain Matt Gauldie.

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For the first time more than 30 works by one of New Zealand’s most prestigious painters will be gathered together at the Mahara Gallery for Frances Hodgkins Kapiti Treasures that shares Hodgkins’ relationship with the Kapiti Coast.

Te Papa will present the work of Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard the two artists chosen to officially represent New Zealand at the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2009.

The 2010 Adam Portraiture Award which promotes the best of contemporary portrait painting from New Zealand artists is to be displayed at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.

The Museum of Wellington City and Sea brings Vessels by world renowned multimedia artist Dan Brown. Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, which tells the story of a boat ferrying souls across the sea to a new land.

“We have made this programme as accessible and interesting to as many different people as possible and I believe we have succeeded,” says Twomey.

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