Final Days for VIVA LA VIDA Closing this Sunday

Final Days for VIVA LA VIDA Closing this Sunday 30 April 2000

"It was very special to see these rare and passionate artworks in the flesh - magnificent." "Frida's paintings are breathtaking... beyond my expectations" "I can't believe I found Frida in New Zealand - What an honour."

Comments from the Visitors' book. Get down to the City Gallery this weekend for your last chance to see VIVA LA VIDA before the works are returned to Mexico. This major show of Mexican Modernism is here for only four more days.

The exhibition, which has been on display since the end of January, was part of the New Zealand Festival 2000 and is a highlight of the Gallery's programme this year. City Gallery Wellington is the sole venue in Australasia for VIVA LA VIDA, although the National Gallery of Australia has expressed interest in taking the exhibition.

"The exhibition has been highly successful," said Paula Savage, director of City Gallery. "We have had visitors from all over the country and people flying in from Australia especially to see it. It has generated great interest in Mexican painting, especially Frida Kahlo's work."

All Viva La Vida merchandise is now discounted by 10%. This includes the best-selling VIVA LA VIDA catalogue, T-shirts and limited edition boxed card sets.

The Gallery has an exciting weekend of events planned to coincide with the closing of the exhibition. Jillian Tipene, who has performed on stage in London and New York, brings her striking performance of the life of Frida Kahlo to the City Cinema. Friday 28th & Saturday 29th April at 8 pm. Saturday's activities also include a show by Bruce McKinnon, Lawrence Reese and a group of talented percussionists, who will be entertaining viewers with an array of Mexican music in the Gallery. Saturday 29th April, 2-3 pm.

The exhibition closes on Sunday to make way for the 'Winter Season', which encompasses a series of admission-free shows beginning on May 13, 2000. The new display features New Zealand artists Richard Killeen, Bill Hammond, Michael Parekowhai and Mary-Louise Browne.

City Gallery Wellington closes to the public at 5pm on Sunday 30 April. An exhibition of works by Dame Janet Paul, 'caught in this sensual music all', continues at the Michael Hirschfeld Gallery on the ground floor until Sunday 14th May. Admission is free.

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.

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.

Anne Irving Publicist T: 04 801 3959 F: 04 801 3950 VIVA LA VIDA - Frida KAHLO, Diego RIVERA and MEXICAN MODERNISM Mexican Masterpieces from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection Jan 29-Apr 30,2000: www.vivalavida.city-gallery.org.nz 'caught in this sensual music all': Works by Janet Paul Michael Hirschfeld Gallery April 14-May 14, 2000 Free admission Check out: http://www.city-gallery.org.nz

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