Metonymy calls for creative blind daters

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Metonymy calls for creative blind daters

Metonymy, a home grown success story, is now calling for participants for its 2011 season.

Now in its fourth year, Metonymy started because a group of literary and visual artists in Auckland wanted to find ways of meeting and collaborating. The idea grew to include the idea of introducing artists to each other (in a ‘creative blind date’), and seeding a community. “We find artists from different disciplines spark off each other, moving the work into new and unexpected territory,” says Metonymy organiser Christian Jensen. Over the years, Metonymy has received support from key funders such as Auckland City Council and Creative New Zealand through the Creative Communities scheme, and now has a home at Corban Estate Arts Centre. It is part of the iconic Going West Festival. Gordon Harris has been a key sponsor for the last two years. Metonymy remains however a grassroots organization, run by volunteers for their fellow writers and artists in Auckland.

Metonymy has so far facilitated over a hundred artist pairings (some of which have continued as creative partnerships), hundreds of pieces of work in disciplines as diverse as film, sculpture, poetry and jewellery, and introduced many artists who would normally not interact. In 2010, over 112 artists took part, creating over 60 pieces of innovative new work. In 2011, even more participants are expected. Everyone is welcome, although they must commit to the two month period of collaboration (July and August this year) and be serious about wanting to make high quality work.

Happily, participation remains free (although participants must pay for their own costs in making and transporting the art). Auckland writers and artists in all mediums are welcomed, including those from music, moving image and performing arts. The event also serves as a meeting ground for established and emerging artists, and because the work for the exhibition is selected by a panel of established writers, artists and curators, it’s also a chance to get noticed.

The professionally curated exhibition at Corban Estate Arts Centre (this year from 8th September – 9th October) is fast becoming a must-see event on the calendar, such is the quality. Over this period there are also three other events – a theatrical poetry performance, an artists’ forum and film night, and the Closing Night awards featuring performances and readings created during Metonymy. All events are entry by koha.

For those interested in taking part or knowing a little more about Metonymy, the website at http://metonymy.weebly.com contains the signup form as well as more information. Applications close on July 1st so there’s not much time left to sign up.

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