More Than 58,000 Visitors To NZ Exhibition At Veni

More Than 58,000 Visitors To NZ Exhibition At Venice Biennale

More than 58,000 people visit New Zealand exhibition at Venice Biennale 2003

By the time the New Zealand exhibition at the 50th Venice Biennale closed on 2 November, 58,375 people had seen the exhibition.

In 2001, approximately 22,000 people visited the New Zealand exhibition at the Venice Biennale.

"We're delighted at the huge increase in attendance numbers this year," says Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand. "We believe these increased numbers this year are a testament to the interest in Michael Stevenson's work, the fascinating venue we had this year and increasing global awareness of New Zealand art."

The Venice Biennale is the most prestigious event on the international arts calendar. In 2003, New Zealand was represented by Michael Stevenson's This is the Trekka, an installation that unpacks the story of the intrepid Trekka, hailed as New Zealand's only homegrown automobile, and presents a big-picture view of New Zealand industry and culture in the Cold War period.

The exhibition, presented in the 18th century church La Maddalena, was widely appreciated by a range of international visitors, including many from the visual arts world such as Frieze Magazine, Time, Art Monthly Australia, the Royal Academy Magazine and Art Forum.

Lady Pippa Blake was "thrilled" by the exhibition while New Zealanders who visited described it as "unforgettable" and "brilliant". Other comments by visitors from Germany, Australia and Italy included: "fascinating, complex work"; "interesting, especially in this location"; and "so amazing, after all the repetitive art in Italy".

The New Zealand exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2003 was presented by Creative New Zealand in partnership with the City Gallery Wellington.

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