NZ's biggest contemporary visual arts festival opens

Anri Sala
3-2-1 2011
Live performance featuring saxophone player responding to the film Long Sorrow (still)
Photo by Sylvain Deleu
Gus Fisher Gallery

5th Auckland Triennial Media release: Thursday 9 May, 2013

New Zealand’s biggest contemporary visual arts festival opens across Auckland

Tomorrow (10 May) Auckland’s art scene bursts to life for the opening of the 5th Auckland Triennial, New Zealand’s largest contemporary visual art festival.

The 5th Auckland Triennial features over 30 artists, artist collectives and architects from 15 countries and led by internationally acclaimed curator, Hou Hanru. This year’s theme If you were to live here… has seen contemporary artists reimagine Auckland, and the world, through artworks that surprise, challenge and inspire.

There’s something for everyone with activities for people of all ages including family days, live performance, talks and more. For the first time, entry is free and visitors can explore nine venues across Auckland including new venues Fresh Gallery Otara and Silo 6, Silo Park, alongside Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Museum, Artspace, George Fraser Gallery, Gus Fisher Gallery, ST PAUL St and The Film Archive.

Auckland Art Gallery Acting Director Viv Beck says, ‘It’s fantastic to be able to bring this festival of contemporary art to Aucklanders and visitors for free. With nine venues across the region there are plenty of opportunities for people to explore.’

Over the last few months Auckland has been buzzing with events, such as the recent Auckland Arts Festival and the NZ International Comedy festival on now. With the 5th Auckland Triennial underway, we should be proud of yet another exciting, world class event in our city.’

Triennial highlights:

• What’s your idea of the ideal home? Check out an international perspective and see Michael Lin/Atelier Bow-Wow’s Model Home at Auckland Art Gallery
• Find out what happens when you have expert Chinese calligraphers Yangjiang Group take over the George Fraser Gallery
• Look closely the next time you visit Auckland Museum and you might see Peter Robinson’s If you were to work here: the Mood in the Museum amongst the exhibits
• Art isn’t only for your eyes. Next time you’re at the waterfront check out Ryoji Ikeda’s A [for 6 silos] sound installation at Silo 6
• What happens when you cross Kauri with karaoke? You get Kauri-Oke at the Otara Markets on Saturdays for free thanks to Makeshift and Fresh Gallery Otara
• Immerse yourself at ST PAUL St Gallery in Ho Tzu Nyen’s Cloud of Unknowing
• Experience the sights and sounds of Janet Lilo's neighbourhood, recreated at Artspace
• Jazz enthusiasts can enjoy saxophonist André Vida performing 3-2-1 live alongside Anri Sala’s A Long Sorrow video installation at the Gus Fisher Gallery.

A new feature in this year’s Triennial is The Lab, a think-tank which features some of the world's most innovative and creative thinkers working on a series projects investigating how we might live here better. Projects include the rejuvenation of the Whau River in Avondale and an investigation of the kiwi 'quarter acre' dream. People can see The Lab in action at Auckland Art Gallery, take part in discussions and talks and watch each project evolve over time and contribute their own ideas.

The Auckland Triennial is New Zealand’s premier international contemporary art exhibition. Since its inception in 2000, it has worked with partners across the city to develop and present a lively and engaging contribution to the conversation about contemporary art and its relationship to the wider world.

The 5th Auckland Triennial is presented by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki with Triennial Partner AUT University and exhibition partners Artspace, Auckland Museum, Fresh Gallery Otara, George Fraser Gallery, Gus Fisher Gallery, ST PAUL St Gallery, Waterfront Auckland’s Silo 6, Silo Park and The Film Archive.

The 5th Auckland Triennial will run from 10 May until 11 August 2013. Fresh Gallery Otara opens on 11 May, 2013. Artspace and the Film Archive end their Triennial presentations 13 July 2013. Silo 6, Silo Park ends its Triennial presentation on 14 July, 2013.

Entry is FREE

Michael Lin /Atelier Bow-Wow
RAM (workers’ house) 2012
steel, wood, insulation board, etc. 930X240X530cm
courtesy of Atelier Bow-Wow, the artist and Rock Bund Art Museum, Shanghai
Auckland Art Gallery

5th Auckland Triennial Exhibition Partners

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Cnr Kitchener and Wellesley Streets, Auckland Central
10am – 5pm daily
www.aucklandartgallery.com

Artspace and The Film Archive
Level 1, 300 Karangahape Road, Newtown
Tuesday - Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
www.artspace.org.nz

Auckland Museum
Auckland Domain
10am - 5pm daily
www.aucklandmuseum.com

Fresh Gallery Otara
Shop 5, 46 Fairmall, Otara Town Centre
Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 8am – 2pm
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

George Fraser Gallery
25a Princes St, Auckland Central
Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm
www.georgefraser.auckland.ac.nz

Gus Fisher Gallery
The Kenneth Myers Centre
74 Shortland St, Auckland Central
Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz

ST PAUL St Gallery
Gallery One and Two
Level 1, 40 St Paul Street, School of Art and Design, AUT University
Tuesday - Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 12pm - 4pm
www.stpaulst.aut.ac.nz

Silo 6, Silo Park, Waterfront Auckland
Wynyard Quarter
www.wynyard-quarter.co.nz

Founding Partner
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Auckland Triennial Partner
AUT University

Major Supporters
Sue Fisher Art Trust
Chartwell Trust
Auckland Contemporary Art Trust
Creative New Zealand
Australian Government/Australia Council for the Arts
Patrons of the Triennial
Auckland Council

Angelica Mesiti
Citizens Band, 2012 (still)
four channel video installation; high definition video, 16:9, PAL, surround sound
duration: 21mins 25secs
Artspace

Artists/collectives by venue

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