Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Meet the 2011 Arts Foundation Award recipients this week Wednesday 7 - Sunday 11 December in the Wynyard Quarter. FREE!!


In the evenings during the first week of the Stoneleigh Summer Art Series, near the Karanga Plaza, the Arts Foundation presents Talk Box.  The series features recipients announced at the 2011 Macquarie Private Wealth New Zealand Arts Awards. The programme will include presentations of artists' work and a discussion about their practice.


Talk Box is an opportunity to get up close and interact with artists while enjoying the al fresco pop-up Stoneleigh bar.
“We hope people in Auckland will take the opportunity to come down and meet some of the recipients of our Awards”, said Simon Bowden, Arts Foundation Executive Director. “The Talk Box programme is a great chance to learn about New Zealand artists, how they approach their work and where their ideas come from. The Arts Foundation has presented this format of discussion many times and the conversations are always fascinating”.
The Stoneleigh Summer Art Series is an R18 event.


The Line-up:
Wednesday 7th December
Ben Cauchi (photographer)
A recipient of the New Generation Award, Ben Cauchi is currently in residence at the Colin McCahon House in Titirangi.
Gregory O'Brien (2011), writer and critic said, "Ben Cauchi has achieved that most remarkable of things: he has not only mastered long outmoded photographic techniques but he has revitalised those traditional ways of making and seeing within the context of contemporary photography and the present day world.  Beyond their mystery and occasional sense of menace, his immensely refined images are also repositories for lyricism and, at times, a dark but nonetheless exquisite beauty."
At this Talk Box session, Ben will be joined by 2006 New Generation Award recipient Joe Sheehan. Joe is a stone artist and jeweller who has produced many works in jade. Older works include a working light bulb and tape, both made out of jade. More recently he has diversified his materials and is focusing more on the precious nature of jade as a resource.
Both Ben and Joe have fascinating processes for creating work. Simon Bowden, Executive Director of the Arts Foundation, will ask the artists to present elements of their work and then get them to share with us how they produce their work and the ideas that drive them.
Thursday 8th December
Whirimako Black (musician)
"Deep, dark and organic, Whirimako Black's voice seems to come from the heart of the Earth. It encompasses both the sophistication of jazz and the powerful simplicity of waiata." Nick Bollinger on Whirimako Black's 2005 CD, Tangihaku, from his book 100 Essential New Zealand Albums.
From traditional songs to jazz, Whirimako Black ‘s distinctive voice is celebrated at the  al fresco pop-up Stoneleigh bar on 8th December. Whirimako has selected a few songs to perform to this intimate audience.  She will be accompanied by her partner Justin Kereama, who will play Taonga Puoro (traditional Maori instruments).
Friday 9th December
Leanne Pooley (film maker)
Recently announced Arts Foundation Laureate Leanne Pooley’s work has taken her to extraordinary places. She says “I've been present at a heart transplant, wandered the halls of a maximum security prison, and filmed the birth of a great dance work. I've had the opportunity to discuss apartheid with Archbishop Tutu, and raves with Boy George.  I've travelled to every continent on the       planet and witnessed bravery beyond my comprehension and occasionally evil that has forced me to question what it means to be human.  It always amazes me that I have been allowed to do these things while pursuing my passion for storytelling.  Sometimes I can't quite believe it."
In 2001 the Arts Foundation awarded a Laureate to film maker Gaylene Preston. Gaylene has made many documentaries and a number of feature films.  Like Leanne, Gaylene has a deep fascination with storytelling.
Gaylene will lead a discussion with Leanne at the pop-up Stoneleigh bar about story telling in film and how they use film to explore the extraordinary in everyday life.  Leanne will present elements of her work to provide insights into her artistic process.
Saturday 10th December
Neil Pardington (photographer)
A photographer, film maker and graphic designer, Neil Pardington has a diverse practice. His most recent work, The Vault, is a touring exhibition and publication produced by the Christchurch Art Gallery.  It features photography taken in museum store rooms.  Neil has also produced series in hospitals. Neil’s fascination with these spaces has led to a new project, which will see him go to the United States to photograph brains. Join Neil to see some of his work, learn of its evolution and hear just where he gets these ideas on 10th December in the al fresco pop-up Stoneleigh bar.
Neil is the 2011 recipient of the Marti Friedlander Photographic Award. Guests to this event might also enjoy a surprise visit from Marti Friedlander.
Sunday 11th December
Emily Perkins (writer)
For the duration of the Wynyard Quarter Arts Series the words of eight writers who are recipients of Arts Foundation Awards are on display in a Writers Trail on the Auckland Waterfront. Emily Perkins received her Laureate Award at the Macquarie Private Wealth New Zealand Arts Awards on 29 November. Words from her are includes in the Writers Trail credited to “Laureate to be announced”. Well, now we can tell you who wrote the words!  We are giving you an opportunity to meet Emily at the al fresco pop-up Stoneleigh bar on Sunday 11th December. This day is the last day of the Writers Trail.
Emily will be joined by 2007 awarded Laureate and writer Ian Wedde. Ian’s contribution to the Writers Trail can be found at the foot of a large silo in Silo Park, West end of the Wynyard Quarter.  Ian has recently moved to Auckland and is currently the New Zealand Post Laureate.
The event will feature readings from Emily and Ian, discussion about writing process and the places that words can end up in.
Key Dates
Wynyard Quarter Arts Series: to 11 December, Auckland Waterfront
Arts Foundation Information Hub: to 11 December, 11am – 2pm Monday – Thursday, 10am – 4pm Saturday and Sunday
Writers’ words on the Waterfront: to 11 December
Silo Cinema: 9pm, 9 December.  Silos, Karanga Plaza, Auckland Waterfront
Stoneleigh Summer Arts Series, Talk-Box: from 7pm, 7 – 11 December, near Viaduct Events Centre


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2011 Arts Foundation Award recipients: David Elliot (Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award), Neil Pardington (Marti Friedlander Photographic Award), Ben Cauchi amd Elli Kent (New Generation Award recipients), Emily Perkins, Leanne Pooley and Fionna Pardington (Laureates).  Missing from image:  Whirimako Black and Lemii Ponifasio (Laureates) and Sam Hamilton (New Generation Award recipient.

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