Part 4 Dance, Crafts and the Visual Arts
Dorothy – 22/06/01
Dance highlights ihi FrENZy – a New Movement The Royal New Zealand Ballet and the Aotearoa Traditional Performing Arts Society Choreographer: Mark Baldwin ihi frENZy is a dynamic production of Maori culture, contemporary dance and music by New Zealand’s greatest rock band, Split Enz. FrENZy is a new work by internationally acclaimed choreographer Mark Baldwin. This groundbreaking production will feature a spectacular performance by Te Matarae I Orehu. Te Matarae’s members’ deliver riveting performances based on centuries-old disciplines to spectacular effect. Theatre Royal July 18,19, 21, 7.30pm, July 20, 6.30pm Duration approx 2 hours
Vichitra Mudra Dance Company Vichitra is a solo performance in the Southern Indian-style by Wellington based dancer Vivek Kinra from the Mudra Dance Company. Vivek Kinra is a celebrated dancer, choreographer and teacher of Bharata-Natyam which has been described as " a dynamic and rhythmic art form involving dance, expression and drama with a blend of spiritual intensity and aesthetic beauty." Southern Ballet Theatre August 2 – 4, 8.00pm, August 5, 6.00pm Duration approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Butter Expect the unexpected/Sean Curham Dance Company Butter is a new work by Sean Curham and in this work he explores theatre as well as dance in what has been described as "an off balance dairy adventure, a journey of melting love, despair and hope." The Crossing Basement, corner Cashel and Colombo Streets July 30 – August 4, 12.30pm, July 30, 31, August 2, 4, 6pm Duration approx 1 hour
Beneath our Feet the clinic – a Christchurch-based performance collective In the reconstructed Victorian home of the Chalk family, all of whom have been cartographers – map makers- the present day family questions their lineage and the function of maps, concepts of land and the settlement of Christchurch. The Great Hall, Arts Centre July 21 – 30, Monday – Friday 6pm & 8.30pm Saturday and Sunday 2pm, 6pm & 8.30pm Duration 1 hour
Visual Arts
Dark Plain Dark Plain has been created by year-long dialogue between the artists, curator, Festival organisers, gallery director, writers and designer, originally about art practices expressing particular aspects of living in the Canterbury region. In the first proposal, social and geographic structures were a starting point, but when combined with cultural issues and current socio-political challenges, a greater complexity surfaced – a darker undertow perhaps that more accurately reflected the range of concerns expressed in the artists’ work. The focus of the resulting exhibition is more on differences – a revelation of the essential diversity that is typical of approaches and responses to contemporary issues. The title Dark Plain, is deliberately enigmatic. It arouses different images in our minds. Does it refer to the greyness of many Christchurch buildings, like the Gothic architecture of the Arts Centre? Is the Canterbury region itself particularly sombre? Does it refer to the problems experienced by people living on the plain? All the artists have either taught, or been taught, at the University of Canterbury’s School of Fine Arts. However what links their work, rather than the influence of a school or a locality, is a critical stance that reflects the realities of contemporary life. Although the title suggests darkness there is a brighter note in the exhibition – a sense of hope.
The following eight well known artists will exhibit work in Dark Plain.
Barry Cleavin Born Dunedin 1939, he now lives in Christchurch. This year he received the award of Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). He was Senior Lecturer in Printmaking at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts 1978-1990. He was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship, at the Tamarind Institute, Alberquerque, University of New Mexico, 1983, and has held various Artist in Residence positions in New Zealand and Australia since 1972. His work has been featured in many New Zealand and international exhibitions round the world.
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A Peter Robinson painting |
Peter Robinson Ngai Tahu He was born in 1966 in Ashburton and graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts in 1989. He now lives in Germany. This year he is Artist for Venice Biennale, and since 1995 has had a number of positions in Germany – in 1999 Artist in Residence at Kunstlerhaus, Bethanien, Germany, in 1998 at Artspace Gallery, Germany, in 1996, at the Goethe Institut, Dusseldorf, Germany and in 1995 Artist in Residence at the Ludwig Forum, Aachen, Germany. He has had solo exhibitions in New Zealand in recent years, and has submitted works to group exhibitions in New Zealand, and in other countries, especially Australia, and Germany.
Andrew Drummond
Born in Nelson in 1951, he now lives in Christchurch, and from 1995 – 2001 has been Senior Lecturer in Sculpture, University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts. He has held positions as Artist in Residence in Brisbane, Australia,
in Wanganui, New Zealand, in Orkney, Scotland, and in Portsmouth, England. He has held solo exhibitions throughout New Zealand and submitted work to group exhibitions in New Zealand and England.
Bill Hammond Born in 1947 in Christchurch he now lives in Christchurch. From 1966-1968 he studied at the School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury. He has exhibited his work in solo exhibitions throughout New Zealand and group exhibitions in New Zealand and Australia. In 1994 he won the Premier Award, Visa Gold Art Award, in 1993 the James Wallace Award and in 1991 QE11 Arts Council Fellowship.
Margaret Dawson She was born in 1950 in Blenheim, Marlborough, but now lives in Christchurch. In 1978 she completed a Diploma of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts and taught photography there in 1997 and 1998. She has spent much time at the University of Canterbury graduating
with a BA in 1992 and an MA with First Class Honours in 1995. In 1993 she received a QE11 Arts Council Fellowship, and in 2000 was Artist in Residence at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, and William Hodges Fellow, Invercargill. She has exhibited her work in solo exhibitions in New Zealand and Australia, and in group exhibitions mainly in Christchurch.
Tony de Lautour Born in 1965 in Melbourne Tony now lives in Christchurch and in 1998 graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture, at the University of Canterbury. His solo exhibitions have been held mainly in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland and he has exhibited in group exhibitions in New Zealand, Australia and Texas.
Julia Morison Born in 1952 in Pahiatua she now lives in Christchurch. In 1975 she graduated Diploma of Fine Arts (Hons), University of Canterbury, and from 1999 to 2001 she has been Senior Lecturer in Painting at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts. In 1990 she was appointed to the Moet & Chandon residency in Avize, France. Her work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions around New Zealand.
Ronnie van Hout Born in 1962 in Christchurch he completed the Diploma of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts in 1982. He now lives in Melbourne and in 1999 graduated MFA with RMIT, Melbourne, Australia. His solo exhibitions have been mainly in New Zealand and Sydney, but in 1999 he held Am I Talking To Me? at ISP, New York, USA, and his work has been shown in group exhibitions in New Zealand, Australia and Germany.
Dark Plain
CoCA – Centre of Contemporary Art July 18 – August 5 Tuesday – Friday 11am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 4pm
HAUMI E! HUI E! TAIKI E! Draw together, affirm! This visual arts exhibition involving both contemporary Ngai Tahu artists and traditional practitioners is the Ngai Tahu contribution to the Christchurch Arts Festival 2001. HAUMI E! HUI E! TAIKI E! is an exclamation, a cry often heard at the end of tauparapara (the classic chant to start a speech), waiata tawhito (ancient waiata) and whaikorero (ceremonial speechmaking), and a call for the things that are known in te ao wairua (the world of the spirit), to be given life in the living world. HAUMI E! HUI E! TAIKI E! highlights the relationship between the artist and the iwi and represents an alliance, a coming together, a meeting, an entering into a relationship. Artists exhibiting include Flo Reiri, Ranui Ngarimu, Reihana Parata, Cath Brown, Fayne Robinson, Areta Wilkinson, Ross Hemera, Chris Heaphy, Fiona Pardington, Neil Pardington, Janina Dell, Kirsten Kemp, Rachael Rakena, Simon Kaan, Nathan Pohio and Jenny Rendall. University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts Gallery, Christchurch Arts Centre July 18 – August 5, 10am – 4pm daily
Flat out This is an exhibition of the work of some of New Zealand’s leading craft artists – glass works by Elizabeth McClure, Emma Camden, Gary Nash and Peter Raos, ceramics by John Parker, Steve Fullmer and Len Castle, and contemporary jewellery creations by Gavin Hitchings, Peter McKay and Ruth Baird. Form Gallery July 16 – August 4, Monday – Thursday 10 am – 4 pm, Friday 10am – 7.30pm, Saturday 10am – 4pm.
Focus The Nature Photography Society of New Zealand Images of Canterbury highlight the contrasts in the terrain – forests, waterfalls, beaches, mountains, rivers and lakes. The Information Centre by the Kiosk Christchurch Botanical Gardens. July 22 – July 29, 10.15am – 3pm daily
pHonic The Physics Room Curators: radioqualia (Amsterdam/London), Matthew Thomas (Auckland radioqualia +mr.snow (Amsterdam/Sydney) Christoph Kummer / loser (Vienna), AudioRom (London), elendil (Adelaide), Nik Gaffney (Berlin). Including some of the most exciting and experimental sound and media artists in Australia and Europe, pHonic has been curated by radioqualia, a collective currently based in Amsterdam and London. It explores how sonic technology can act as an interface between musician and listener and how this traditional relationship is being deconstructed by artists who reposition the listener as musician. The Physics Room, 2nd Floor 209 Tuam Street Wednesday – Friday, 11am – 5.30pm, Saturday, 11am – 3pm, Sunday 12 – 3pm
Cross Currents
This is an exhibition showing the responses to the environments of a hotel produced by final year students of the School of Art and Design at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. It includes sculpture, photography, multi-media, drawing and craft. The display will be in the foyers of a number of the larger Christchurch hotels. July 18 – August 5 during normal hotel hours.
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The Golden Holden Art on the Move Director: Nick Blake With a bit of fine-tuning under the bonnet, and a gleaming new paint job, the Golden Holden is now ready to hit the malls. The Golden Holden, developed by the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and commissioned by the Christchurch Arts Festival, will provide the stage for a comic physical theatre show to be staged in malls around Christchurch for the duration of the festival. The cast are Circo Arts School students, Richard Bullock, Shay Horay, Jacqui Crestani and well known Christchurch actor and performer Lizzie Cook who plays the role of Judy Huggins. The Huggins family like to holiday at the mall – it has everything you need – food, entertainment, clean loos, music – you don’t have to worry about the mozzies and there’s no blinking sand either.
The show is being directed by Wellington theatre director and actor Nick Blake, a graduate of the National Circus School of France in the 1970s and the co-founder of Dramadillo, an Auckland based physical theatre company. Blake says, "There has been a proliferation of performer training institutions in New Zealand over the last ten years, and while most focus on a conventional training for stage and tv work, Circo Arts has a much more specific focus which develops performers with an independent and self-reliant approach to their work that can be practised in a variety of unusual spaces from the street to the top of cars. The graduates of this school can playfully release objects from their everyday use, defy gravity and create worlds of surreal beauty. In the new millennium, theatre is drawing on a much wider expressive palate than the talking heads of the past, and circo arts plays a vital role in this growth. Companies such as Cirque du Soleil and other visiting circuses show the vitality and creativity infusing the traditionally staid formulas of the circus world and the blurring of boundaries between circus and theatre." Venues around the city July 18 – August 5 Duration approx 40 minutes Details will be included in the Daily Diary in The Press.
Make plans NOW to attend your choice of attractions from the great range offered at the Christchurch Arts Festival 2001, and BOOK EARLY to get good seats.