Compiler

Sue Gardiner

Kelcy Taratoa, Episode 16, 2006, digital mock-up for paintings in 2 x 2 Contemporary projects at City Gallery Wellington from 18 June to 30 July. Courtesy of Kelcy Taratoa.Visit www.city-gallery.org.nz.

Exploring photography

10 June is Photo Day in Auckland as the city’s Festival of Photography hits full speed. For one day only, photographers are asked to capture an image which reflects ‘their Auckland’. The whole extended program of exhibitions runs from 2 to 24 June to promote photography as an art form. Events include an exhibition at Auckland Museum of works by ninteenth-century photographer George D Valentine, until 27 August; and at Auckland Art Gallery on 24 June is a series of talks including Anna Miles on exhibiting photography with Ben Plumbly speaking on buying and selling photography. At St Pauls St Gallery, AUT, Morten Anderson shows Days of night until 16 July, and Corbans Estate Arts Centre shows four photographers in Uncertain space until 9 July. Too many exhibitions to mention, but visit www.photographyfestival.org.nz.

New York/Auckland co-hosts show

Artspace, Auckland, is one of two venues for Local transit, an exhibition in two parts jointly organised with Artists Space, New York. The two institutions share a similar history, size and role in their respective communities and is co-curated by Artists Space curator Christian Rattemeyer and Artspace director Brian Butler. In each location, a different group of artists has been selected: in Artspace until 1 July are Auckland artists Dan Arps, Kylie Duncan with Keely O’Shannessy and Gerald Phillips, Simon Esling and Sriwhana Spong; with New York artists Sara Greenberger Rafferty, Jennie C. Jones, Blake Rayne and Lisa Tan; and Los Angeles artist Jennifer Nocon. The artists taking place in the Artists Space exhibition, until 24 June, are Los Angeles artist Ellen Birrell; New York artists Charles LaBelle, Marie Lorenz, Mark Orange and Karla Wozniak; and Auckland artists Daniel Malone, Dane Mitchell, Yuk King Tan and Ri Williamson. The symposium on 20 May centred around discussion on location and readings asking, ‘What does it mean to be in New York compared to Auckland or Los Angeles?’ [Hmmm, where does one start? Ed] Visit www.artspace.org.nz.

The International Matrix

New Zealand artists continue to move around the world exhibiting at numerous venues. The latest announcement of a biennale inclusion comes from Ivan Anthony Gallery. Andrew McLeod and Brendon Wilkenson will represent New Zealand at the 27th Sao Paulo Biennial of Art (in Brazil) in October 2006 ... The group of artists currently showing at the exhibition Pasifika styles in the University of Cambridge’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is generating some positive arts coverage in the local NZ media with Auckland-based artist George Nuku attracting attention. His wharenui (meeting house), entitled Out of space marae, is carved from clear perspex, allowing light to reach all the corners of the house. Nuku travelled to Cambridge to install the work as did a number of other artists including Suzanne Tamaki, Wayne Youle and Tracey Tawhiao … Exploring the rapidly developing field of contemporary media arts is Auckland-based artist Hye Rim Lee whose work was included in Exposed: Black box and crystal ball at multiple London venues in May and June, as well as a recent exhibition in Seoul, and inclusion of her work, Lash, in Animamix: the 2nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival in Hangzhou, China.

Private collection on tour

Aratoi is also touring Luncheon under the ash tree: The Ian and Elespie Prior Collection that will be at the City Gallery Wellington from 17 June to 24 September. Curated by Damien Skinner and Luit Bieringa, Luncheon under the ash tree presents the private art collection of Wellington local Dr Ian Prior and his late wife Elespie. Together, the Priors amassed a significant and deeply personal art collection over fifty years. Works by artists such as Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere and Evelyn Page are included. Of interest also at City Gallery Wellington is the upcoming 2 x 2 contemporary projects series. The first of this two-part series shows work by Kelcy Taratoa and Edith Amituanai, from 18 June to 30 July. Visit www.city-gallery.org.nz.

Dashper again

Aratoi, the Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, shows Dashper again and again: the multiple works of Julian Dashper 1986–2006, curated by Mark Kirby, until 14 June. The show includes DVDs, the much loved group of five wristwatches created as part of the Big bang theory series in 1992, drumheads and target paintings, editioned seven- and twelve-inch records, paintings and ceramic plates.