Friday, December 17, 2004

The No. 8 Wire - Issue 21

Gondwanaland Ministry of Culture
Artists' Information Bureau

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An Electronic Alert for 558 of Wellington's Creative People



21.00
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FAIRIES
(AS WELL AS FAITH, POETRY LOVE, ROMANCE)

Dear Editor,
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, "If you see it in The No.8 Wire, it's so." Please tell me the truth,
is there a Santa Claus?
- Virginia O'Hanlon

The Editor replies:
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are
unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

See 21.42 below…

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21.01
SAUDADES? OI, BRASIL!

Artists interested in a residency opportunity in Brazil, should check out the website for Sacatar. The tropical artist colony is located on an island, across the Bay of All Saints from Salvador da Bahia. It was founded by California-based Taylor Van Horne and Mitch Loch, who are growing their Bahian centre into a world-class creative retreat. Information about Sacatar is available from Eric, at the Wellington Arts Centre, who is also available to advise local creative people about this and other retreats abroad. Mitch and Taylor toured Wellington this past September, and are keen to connect with Kiwi artists.

Check out the following website
www.sacatar.org

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21.02
WELCOME, MY UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTIONALISTS

From the New Zealand Herald: 26 November 2004

At the stroke of midnight last night, thousands of Brads and Janets took a step to the left, than a step to the right to put Hamilton into transsexual Transylvania-land with the unveiling of a statue celebrating The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Hamilton is where the show's English-born creator, Richard O'Brien, watched horror and science-fiction movies as a youth and developed a love for rock'n'roll.

Last night, the 62-year-old led the Time Warp at the old Embassy Theatre site to unveil the bronze statue of transvestite Riff Raff, nearly 30 years after creating one of theatre's great cult musicals.

Hamiltonians swapped mooloo bells for fishnet stockings and flocked to a party in Victoria St to welcome the $125,000 statue.

It is the first public artwork by Weta Workshops, special effect creators for big budget movies such as The Lord of the Ringsand Master and Commander.

Besides appearing as Riff Raff in the original stage production, O'Brien, nicknamed Ritz, has appeared on stage in Hair, The Little Shop of Horrors and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

"It's a big thing having a statue. You generally used to have to go overseas and kill people and plant the flag in somebody else's land before you got a statue," he said this week.

O'Brien's family moved to Tauranga from England in 1952 after his father decided to trade accountancy for sheep farming. He returned to England 12 years later.

Inspired by his teenage love of B-movies and rock'n'roll, he penned Rocky Horror, which premiered on a London stage in 1973. The movie, made two years later, also became a cult favourite.

The annual convention of The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be held in Hamilton next year, on its 30th anniversary.

Riff Raff's statue sparked heated debate when it was first mooted. One councillor feared Hamilton would become known as "queer city" or "transsexual town", and some newspaper letter writers said it was not suitable for children to see the statue.

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21.03
EYE ON MEZZO-SPACE
Wellington City Council's Community Arts Office is pleased to announce the next exhibition at Mezzo-space, Viepoints by Mark Molnar, Adrienn Gyongyosi, Jeffrey Charles White, & Toni Williams.
White and Williams, have recently graduated from The Learning Connexion, and currently live and work in Owhiro Bay on the south coast. Molnar and Gyongyosi moved to New Zealand from Budapest, and have been creating new work inspired by their world-wide migration.

"My sculptures range from wood and stone carvings to mixed media assemblage and painting," explains White, who has several exquisite objects on view in the show. “Inspiration for my mixed media sculpture comes from the coastline around Wellington, and most of my materials are found object or recycled.”

Williams, who grew up in Palmerston North, paints the New Zeland landscape in pastels. "I am completely inspired by the amazing colour of our country that surrounds me," she says.

Recent Graduates of the Hungarian National University of Art and Design, Molnar and Gyongyosi travelled to New Zealand eight months ago and currently live in Wellington. Molnar, who is an accomplished graphic, live event, and web designer says that they had been collecting moods, feelings and inspiration:
"We are trying to push out into our paintings what the real taste of New Zealand is. We are trying to create something, because what goes in, it has to come out from our mind and soul as well. I hope people enjoy the exhibition and that we can show you some different views from this amazing country."
Mezzo-space, the former bookstore space next to Clark’s Cafe in the Central Library, is currently being programmed by the Wellington City Council’s Community Arts Office as a temporary exhibition space for Wellington-based artists.
"Most of the work has a dream-like other-worldly quality to it,” says WCC Community Arts Co-ordinator Eric Holowacz. “There are fantastical, Tanguy-like landscapes, mixed with haunting characters and untold fables, and more than a few signs of magical realism.”
The project was created to present interesting new work to the public and to support the development of Wellington’s visual communicators
Viewpoints runs 14 – 23 December 2004. For further information contact Mark Molnar 021 254 0615.
Other temporary exhibitions are being planned for 2005, including a group show by 12 female mixed-media artists, a one-man photography show, and several student/recent graduate exhibitions. Local artists, collectives, or visual arts groups interested in learning more about Mezzo-space should contact Eric Holowacz at the Community Arts office on 04 385 1929 or at arts@wcc.govt.nz
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21.04
WHY DO WE LIKE MUSIC?

Here’s one answer, from a leading contemporary theoretician…
http://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/papers/MusicMindMeaning.html

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21.05
CREATIVE UNION

With Kiwi music, film and live performance doing so well on the world stage, New Zealand's creative workers are - for the first time - getting together to give each other a hand.
The Coalition of Creative Unions and Guilds (CCUG) has recently been formed to represent the interests of local entertainers. And that's "entertainers" in the broadest sense: those who entertain on the stage, on radio and television, on the printed page - from under the spotlight or from behind the scenes... Actors, writers, musicians, composers, comedians and filmmakers are all getting in on the act together.
With the support of the NZ Council of Trade Unions, guild and union representatives in the creative sector have, over the past few months, been meeting regularly to keep each other in the loop on government policy and funding issues, education and training.
Their first project is to officially launch their own umbrella group with a weekend workshop in February 2005 to tackle practical aspects of working in NZ's creative industry.
Regardless of whether their work is live, recorded or in print, creative workers face many of the same issues: limited funding, a relatively small local market, and working in isolation from their peers. The weekend workshop will offer a range of seminars - from "budgeting on an erratic income" and how to secure funding and sponsorship, to tax and copyright law and political lobbying.
Many of this country's creative workers are self-employed, short-term contractors or freelance, and the CCUG offers them an opportunity to share knowledge and experience, be informed, ask questions, find a unified voice to talk to employers and government agencies, and to network with each other.
The workshop, to be held in Auckland on February 12, will be free to guild and union members, and $40 for non-members.
The CCUG currently represents Actors Equity, the Musicians Union, Screen Directors Guild of NZ, Composers Association of NZ, NZ Writers Guild, NZ Film & Video Technicians Guild, NZ Comedy Guild, NZ Society of Authors, Artists Alliance, Stunt Guild and the PSA.
For details, contact Nadine Rae on 09 303 9008 or nadiner@nzctu.org.nz

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21.06
WET STAGE

Growing Potatoes - A Play in a Pool will be performed IN Freyberg Pool during the Fringe NZ festival next year - 25 Feb to 1 March. Writer Janie Walker and director Katrina Chandra (H2O Productions are looking for actors, non-actors, old people, young people, dancers, synchronized swimmers, production crew (stage manager, publicity assistants, front of house manager) - anyone who wants to be involved. Audition day is 9 January, venue and time tbc. Email your interest to growingpotatoes@hotmail.com.

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21.07
OLIVIA’S GIFT

Now over a decade old, the Olivia Spencer Bower Award is building a reputation as one of the most valuable and prestigious forms of sponsorship available to New Zealand artists. The award is unique in this country in several ways. It was initiated and established posthumously, from the proceeds of her bequest, and is imprinted with the personality, values and concerns of Olivia Spencer Bower. Directed specifically at "emerging" painters and sculptors, the Award bypasses well-known and established practitioners, who may have already received recognition by substantial Awards or representation in major collections.

Each Award is for a period of 12 months commencing on 1 January. The amount is determined by the Trustees and is designed to be sufficient to enable the recipient to pursue his or her artistic endeavours for that 12 month period freed from the obligation of employment or other financial constraints. The Awards offered in 2003 and 2004 were each for $30,000.00.

Olivia Spencer Bower could be described as having been in the mainstream of the artistic spectrum and wished to assist others with similar inclinations. The Award can only be made to painters and sculptors. This means that applications from video makers, photographers and performance artists will not be considered. Printmakers, Ceramic and other craft artists would be included but only as far as their works extend to "painting and sculpture".

Under her Will, Olivia left all her art works to the Foundation, and these have been gradually realised by the Trustees to form its capital. In addition, a substantial body of archival work represented by some 3000 to 4000 image pages has been established permanently at the Robert MacDougall Art Gallery in Christchurch, which material will be available to future art students and art historians.
To learn more about this award, and the foundation behind it, visit

http://www.oliviaspencerbower.org.nz/

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21.04
FUN WITH FUNDING OPTIONS

Music Video Fund: NZ On Air

Funds groups and individuals to make NZ music videos that will play on music television shows and channels.

Programme Manager, NZ On Air, PO Box 9744, Wellington
Phone: (04) 382-9524. Fax: (04) 382-9546
www.nzonair.govt.nz
info@nzonair.govt.nz

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21.05
PUBLIC ART STOCKPILE

Here’S a website with a whole slew of information about Public Art Programmes, publications, sponsors, and artists working in the public sphere

http://public-art.shu.ac.uk/weblinx.html#conferences

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21.06
MORE FUN WITH FUNDING OPTIONS

Minister of Internal Affairs Discretionary Fund

Funds charitable projects of national or international significance that are not covered by other Lottery Grants, including travel.

Lottery Grants Board, PO Box 805, Wellington.
Phone: (0800) 824-824. Fax: (04) 495-7225
www.dia.govt.nz
lotterygrants@dia.govt.nz

http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.NSF/wpg_URL/Services-Lottery-Grants-Ministers-Discretionary-Fund?OpenDocument

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21.07
SALSA SANTA

Xmass Salsa Ball Saturday 18th December (With pre ball Tango Milonga)

Dress yourself up and get down for a night of latin sights, sounds and glamour at the St James Theatre's Jimmy Bar! Think Latin Glamour from the 50's 60's and 70's.......

Latest and greatest in Salsa, merengue and latin styles and sounds.

4 of Wellington's top Latin DJs spinning disks from 8L30pm till late.

Top Quality sound system from Oceania Sound.

Special Guest Salsa performance.

Plus a Tango Milonga from 6 PM...with Tango DJ 'Frio' playing Classic Golden Age Tangos.

6pm: Tango Milonga

8pm Salsa/Merengue Lesson

8:30pm - late Latin DJs ....

St James Theatre's Jimmy Bar on Saturday 18th December. Admission is $10. Send email to info@salsadrome.co.nz

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21.08
WORKING CREATIVITY

A good article on the fine art of researching business and workplace thinking about creativity, innovation, and expression…

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/89/creativity.html

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21.09
RETURN TO SENDER
The Trap\door Artist Run Centre is starting the new year with a Mail Art exhibition and exchange titled "Return to Sender". We are looking for art that can fit in an 8.5 x 11 envelope. All works received will be installed in the show, after which participants will be sent someone else’s piece in exchange for their own. The deadline for submissions is January 17, 2005, with the exhibition commencing January 29.
Please include with your submissions package:
- label information
- a self addressed stamped 8.5 x 11 envelope (for individuals outside of Canada, we will take care of return postage, but please supply a self addressed envelope)
- biographical information
please send your work to:
Trap\door Artist Run Centre
714- 7 Street South
Lethbridge, Alberta
T1J 2H5
And see the following website
http://people.uleth.ca/~mctrmt/trapdoor.htm
Email contact: trapdoor_arc@yahoo.ca

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21.10
WHERE’S THE ART-O-MAT?

Wellington’s Art-o-mat project will begin in early 2005 with a workshop and information session for any interested local artists, groups, people. It will go over the basics of creating a prototype and getting your objects sold through the Art-o-mat network. Date and location will be announced in the next No. 8 Wire. The next step will be a wee gallery exhibition in Wellington, showing several dozen examples of Art-o-mat vending machine objects, made by artists from all over the world. The final phase will involve the commissioning and installation of a new Art-o-mat machine just for Wellington. After that, who knows…

To learn all about Clark Whittington’s Art-o-mat project, including samples of his over 50 machines, check out the below website. You’ll also find information about the hundreds of artists already working in the Art-o-mat format, including photos of what they are vending. Press clippings, and prototype guidelines are also linked from here…

http://www.artomat.org/home.html

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21.11
EL SUENO FROM COLOMBIA

Cities are always trying to re-invent themselves, but often this means more slogans, banners, and vacant marketing efforts. Check out what one genuine recipe for happiness, from a visionary mayor, and a profound sense of “ganas.” It really doesn’t cost anything to dream…

http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/november2004/november2004_joy

And then, learn more about the Art of place-making, from this valuable web resource…

http://www.pps.org/

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21.12
HOLIDAY AT BATS

This week is your final chance to catch some BATS action and the final performances of The Eight: Reindeer Monologues and Pollyfilla’s Galmarama.

We hope you all have a great Christmas and look forward to seeing you down at 1 Kent Terrace in 2005!

Love the BATS crew

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
Season: Tuesday 7 - Saturday 18 December (no show Sun/Mon) at 7pm
Tickets: $15 full/$12 concession/$10 groups of 10+

Written By Jeff Goode (USA), Directed By Holly Shanahan, THE SLEIGH RIDE IS OVER. Tear down the tinsel. Dismantle the mistletoe and un-wrap the presents – Christmas is CANCELED!

This is the “E! True Hollywood Story” of the biggest scandal to hit the North Pole since . . . EVER! Reindeer’s elite – Dasher, Cupid, Prancer, Blitzen, Comet, Dancer, Donner and Vixen aka, ‘The Eight’, are here to tell you the full sordid story.

Their stories introduce us to a very different Santa Claus than the one we have come to know and love. We are drawn into their world as the “elite” of reindeer kind, the pressures of the yearly flight - issues of fog, religion, ballet, Mrs. Claus and of course the REAL scoop on the “Rudolph debacle”…

Now is Vixen the victim or the wench who stole Christmas?? A dark festive comedy absolutely not to be missed.

Glamarama
Season: Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 December at 9pm
Tickets: $15 full/$12 concession and groups of 10+

Hot on the high heels of her whirlwind tour of Blenheim – Wellington’s favourite drag performer Pollyfilla is back after a 2 years absence from the theatre, in her dazzling new production – “GLAMARAMA”. Described as Shirley Temple on Acid Meets Jim Carrey in Drag, Pollyfilla plays hostess to some of her favorite, eclectic, weird and rare songs from the vaults of her music collection, inspired by the style of Las Vegas Lounge Singers and Floor Shows of the 1950s & 1960s!

“GLAMARAMA is a great night out! Our catchphrase this year is EXTRAVAGANZA!, Darling! Audiences may expect Smatterings of Sequins, Sparkles, Synthetic hair, Silly Songs, Shirley Bassey, Six inch heels, Smutty jokes and Seat Wetting” says Pollyfilla of her new production, though she warns that this show “may be inappropriate for anyone who finds swearing or men in dresses offensive!”

Pollyfilla is supported onstage by three fabulous showgirls, plucked out of obscurity from the Jean Goodman School of Dance - The Dazzling Fillettes: Cyndi, Gem and Barby! And in her theatrical stage debut - special guest Star Miss Drag Wellington 2004 – Mia Slapper!

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21.13
BATS NEW YEAR

Next up for BATS– The Bacchanals bring William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to BATS, opening on January 12 kicking off a north island tour. And if we shadows have offended…

There’s also a premiere in store, 27th – 29th January 2005…

Come groove at BATS this summer with Sstimuluss for a dramatic audiovisual experience featuring powerful new music. For the Wellington music scene, Sstimuluss – Live at BATS will be a rare spectacle.
Their unique sound, combined with performances by two movement artists and one of Wellington’s foremost AV designers, will present a late-night treat not to be missed.
Sstimuluss have been a part of the Wellington music scene for over two years now. They have played at festivals, such as The Gathering and Visions and have been regulars at Bodega, including performances at the popular While You Were Sleeping.
They return to BATS after collaborating with Theatre Militia on WordVirus last August. The music of Sstimuluss is a combination of electronica, rich instrumentation and the sublime voice of Elizabeth Judd. For Sstimuluss – Live at BATS, she and Emile de la Rey are joined by co-writer/performer Jeremy Brick and Theatre Militia, to create what will be a gem in this summer’s music scene.

Performancs: 27th, 28th and 29th of January at 9pm
Tickets: $12/$15


BATS Theatre
1 Kent Terrace
bats@bats.co.nz
bookings 802 4175
office 802 4176
fax 802 4010
www.bats.co.nz

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21.14
BE IN THE DRAW

Major Exhibition from the Royal Collections coming to Te Papa

Te Papa announced today that the exhibition Holbein to Hockney: Drawings from the Royal Collection will be on display in Wellington from 23 April to 24 July 2005.
Following two years of discussion with Windsor Castle, and with the approval of the lady of the house, this regal exhibition presents a unique opportunity for Te Papa to showcase over seventy works representing the most significant drawings from the Royal Collection.
The exhibition is currently on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, and Te Papa is the only venue for the exhibition outside Great Britain. After the exhibition closes at Te Papa, it will be shown in The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Place.
Highlights of the exhibition include works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Dürer, Carracci, Canaletto, Thomas Rowlandson, Sir David Wilkie, and Sir Edwin Landseer.
Other treasures include Hans Holbein's chalk studies of Sir Thomas More and Cicely Heron, which are preparatory works for Holbein's lost portrait of More and his family.
One of the most recent additions to the collection is a pencil portrait of Lord Rothschild by David Hockney, which entered the Royal Collection in 2003.
Influenced by the personal tastes of monarch's who have bought or commissioned works, the Royal Collection contains one of the world's greatest collections of drawings assembled over the last five centuries. From sketches to finished presentation works, the exhibition covers every type of drawing practised in Europe since the Renaissance, including compositions for paintings, studies from the model, portraits, landscapes and observations from nature.

Be on the lookout for more information in early 2005.

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21.15
HELP ENJOY

It's time again for the annual Enjoy BUY 100 fund-raiser and CHRISTMAS PARTY

BUY 100 exhibition
Tuesday 14 - Sunday 19 December

This week long exhibition closes on Sunday, so stop by Enjoy Gallery and pick up a present of contemporary art.

Celebrate Enjoy gallery's successes of 2004 and have the opportunity to buy original works by contemporary New Zealand artists all in the knowledge that funds from your purchases help support the running of Enjoy. The BUY 100 comprises of donated work by over thirty selected artists. All works are for sale and all for the very reasonable amount of $100 each. There will also be artist multiples available at reduced prices. Artists include:

Liz Allan, Tim Armstrong, Vivien Atkinson, Kaleb Bennett, Gary Bridle, Stephen Clover, Bek Coogan, Chris Cudby, Clem Devine, Daniel du Bern, Bryce Galloway, Regan Gentry, Amy Howden-Chapman, Jayne Joyce, Ross Kettle, Dave King, Shay Launder, Maddie Leach, Courtney Lucas, James McCarthy, Clare Noonan, Miranda Parkes, Sarah Jane Parton, Kim Paton, Jessica Pearless, Jessica Reid, Stuart Shepherd, Marnie Slater, Mica Still, Louise Tulett, Terry Urbahn, Karin van Roosmalen, Tao Wells and Kate Woods
Enjoy Public Art Gallery
Level one, 174 Cuba Street
Wellington

04 384 0174
enjoy@enjoy.org.nz
www.enjoy.org.nz

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12.16
WHOPPER OVER

Yep that's right WHOPPERR CHOPPER has come to an end. We are getting rid of the last of the whopper chopper merchandise. It’s CRAZY PRICES . Stock is flying out the door. Crazy Chris that's what they call me. How can we do these high quality fashion items for such low low low prices?
Everything must go…

We have the following cotton T-SHIRTS + HOODIES ( in black or red )

AND ALL HAVE THE SAME International Pirate Convention LOGO

GIRLS T-SHIRTS ( SMALL + MEDIUM ) $15

BOYS T-SHIRTS ( MEDIUM + LARGE ) $15

HOODIES ( SMALLL + MEDIUM + LARGE ) $25

UNDIES ( SMALL + MEDIUM + LARGE ) $15

WHOPPER CD – (Music at its best ) $20

Le me know what you want by e-mail and ii will get back to you and drop of order. Lots of love to all.

Please pass on to everyone and anyone

Chris Morley-Hall
"El Capitan"
Whopper chopper
Email: info@whopperchopper.org.nz

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21.17
BANNER DAY

Dame Cath Tizard, New Zealand's Governor General from 1990-96, heads a list of new endorsers joining the www.nzflag.com campaign to change New Zealand's flag.
In her endorsement, Dame Cath noted "We don't wear the clothes of a century ago or drive around today in Model T Fords. Our present flag served a young post-colonial country well, but the time has come to consider a change which more appropriately recognises our changed identity and confidence in ourselves. Let's find out what the country thinks of the idea of a change."
The Mayor of Waimakariri, Jim Gerard, and the Mayor of Horowhenua, Brendan Duffy, join the Mayors of Waitakere, Bob Harvey; Auckland, Dick Hubbard; New Plymouth, Peter Tennent; Wellington, Kerry Prendegast; and Christchurch, Garry Moore; as endorsers of the campaign. In addition the former Mayors of Dunedin, Sukhi Turner, and Tauranga, Jan Beange, remain endorsers.
Opera singer Paul Whelan has also endorsed the campaign. Whelan, a singer with a major international career says "Being from New Zealand is a badge that brings a lot of admiration around the world. We are increasingly known not just for the beauty and culture, but also for our independent political position. The current flag implies that we are an extension of the UK and Australia, and despite our strong and continuing connections with those countries, it is time for a flag that reflects how we stand now."
Over seventy prominent Kiwis across a range of disciplines including local government, sports, the arts, education, religion and business are pushing for a referendum on a new national flag. The www.nzflag.com Trust has sought the support of such a broad range of New Zealand leaders to show, by their support and widely differing backgrounds, that the campaign has engagement with all sectors of New Zealand society.Their names, photographs and endorsements appear on the website ww.nzflag.com/endorsements.cfm and include Olympic gold medallist, Barbara Kendall; world champion squash player Dame Susan Devoy; musician Neil Finn; businessman Stephen Tindall, and Richard Taylor of Weta.
The www.NZflag.com Trust, established in February 2004 seeks to gather around 300,000 signatures in early 2005 to hold a referendum asking New Zealanders to have their say on whether New Zealand should change its flag.
www.NZFlag.com Trust has been established to inspire and stimulate debate about whether New Zealand should change its flag.
Over 70 high profile New Zealanders representing a broad cross section of New Zealand society have currently endorsed the debate to change the flag, with more joining each week.
Richard Taylor, Weta Workshop: "New Zealand, Aotearoa, the land of inspiration, innovation and original thought. Our culture is special, our people unique. From our pacificana home we can proudly stamp our cultural reference and wave our uniquely New Zealand flag above the world stage. I endorse the concept of celebrating our land, our people with a national flag that respects and appreciates the wonderful country that we have become."

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21.18
RETURN OF THE KONG

http://www.kongisking.net/index.shtml
Get all your primal primate news by subscribing here
http://www.kongisking.net/mailman/listinfo/kik_announce

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21.19
END OF YEAR NEWS FROM PHOTOSPACE

It's been a full and busy year here, so time to thank all those who have contributed to it, with special thanks to Karen Lee, Mark Marriott, Lisa Alway, Liz Brooker and John Williams for their help in running the exhibitions and looking after things while I was away.

Next year is booked up with a range of exhibitions, and 2006 is looking pretty chokka too. Mark and I will be expanding the range of workshops, courses and seminars as well. The Jan/Feb Photocourse1 is already full, so we'll be running it again in April to cater for those who have missed out.

There will be a final Jazz/Poetry evening here on Friday 17th December, 8pm, gold coin entry. It features Dave Edwards, Stevie Starr, Jonny Potts and Nat da Hatt. For those of you who haven't been brave enough to attend one of these evenings, now's your chance.

Andrew Ross' exhibition of 63 photographs of sites in the path of the proposed Wellington Bypass 'Te Aro: a recent photographic history', and Graeme Borthwick's photographs of the Wellington Writers' walk scultural plaques are both currently showing at Photospace gallery.

Andrew's share of sales from his exhibition will be donated to Heartbeat Wellington and Anti-Bypass Action (ABA).

See www.photospace.co.nz/expo087.htm for details.

For more information on the Wellington Writers' Walk, and a map, go to:
http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/tourism/destinations/wellingtonwriterswalkmap.html

Holiday hours: these are posted on the homepage www.photospace.co.nz
If you wish to visit the gallery between Christmas and January 9th, please email me for an appointment, as I will be around, and in and out of the gallery.

Enjoy Christmas and have a relaxing New Year ...

James Gilberd
Photospace studio/gallery
1st floor, 37 Courtenay Place
382 9502
027 444 3899
Gallery hours: 10-4.30 Monday-Friday
11-3 Saturdays, closed public holidays
www.photospace.co.nz

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21.20
SOUNDS REAL GOOD

http://www.noizyland.com/home/homepage.asp

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21.21
EVEN MORE FUN WITH FUNDING

Dorothy Daniels Dance Foundation

Funds professional and semi-professional dancers or dance teachers for short-term projects, to study or attend special events or to assist with equipment.

The Secretary, Dorothy Daniels Dance Foundation, PO Box 17215, Wellington. Phone (04) 476-8369. Fax: (04) 476-8754

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21.22
LIVE AND HAPPY

It’s all happening at Happy…

Friday December 17th at 10pm
The Midnights
With DJ Dubhead
Original NZ Roots

Saturday December 18th at 10pm
The Heavy Heavy Monster Sound of Reggae
with DJ Lemon (Roots Foundation) and DJ Manray (Vital Sounds)

Monday December 20th at 8pm
Twinset Album Release Party
feat Mike Fabulous and Ricky Gooch

Tuesday December 21st at 10pm
The Dodecahedrons

And next year…

The New Zealand Fringe Festival, Nights of the Flaming Anvil 2, Mike Cooper, Colin Black, DEL, Sabot, Justin Clarke, and more and more music. Music makes us Happy.

Happy is located underground, at the corner of Vivian and Tory Streets
Wellington
384 1965
www.happy.net.nz

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21.23
MODELS WANTED

Wellington’s life drawing network, which includes regular sessions from Plimmerton to Oriental bay, is always searching for models. If you are interested in model work, contact wellingtonlifeart@hotmail.com or visit the group’s website at www.lifedrawing.wellington.net.nz

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21.24
THE MEANING OF HQ

The University’s creative campus continues to support creative enterprise in the Wellington Region through sponsorship of Creative HQ business incubator.

Massey has been an early supporter of Creative HQ, which was established in 2002 by Positively Wellington Business to capitalise on the region’s strong creative competencies. Support from the University has been renewed for the year ahead and discussions with the incubator management team are under way to explore new and broader ways in which Massey and Creative HQ can collaborate.

“Based in Wellington’s Cuba Quarter, Creative HQ offers resident companies access to business mentoring, networks and advice, dynamic office space, reduced overheads and access to many other areas of expertise,” says Communications Manager Sarah Wilson.

Creative HQ supports start-up companies, ready-formed fledgling enterprises and small existing businesses specialising in creative and innovative technologies in advertising, publishing, TV and radio, film and video, architecture, design, fashion, visual arts, software, computer services, and music.

Most Creative HQ businesses specialise in creative technologies – everything from a multi-player game developer to a Java development tools producer, an on-line publisher to a web services provider.

Companies join the incubator for a two-year period. They have to demonstrate the potential for high growth. Creative HQ is currently home to 16 resident companies.

Five fashion designers and one accessory designer also work from a specialist satellite incubator called Fashion HQ. Fashion HQ has strong ties with Massey’s Design School. It includes a workroom fitted with industrial sewing machines and a retail outlet on Cuba Street’s Left Bank.

Former Massey student Chai Thamavaree is one of four designers whose work is for sale at top Wellington store Kirkcaldie & Stains.

Head of Fashion Sue McLaren says there is a great pool of creative talent in the region. The Design School has nurtured many high-flying designers over the years. “Yet fashion is an incredibly difficult and competitive business. This incubator will provide a practical postgraduate environment that will help even more of our graduates succeed.”

And the incubation programme is working. Recent statistics based on 16 Creative HQ residents indicate a total economic impact of approximately $10.8 million.

Those with an entrepreneurial streak are invited to go to www.creativehq.co.nz for more information.

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21.25
RADIO REQUEST

Dear Listener,

What do Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending and Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs have in common? Do they both feature solo violin. No. Or solo soprano? No. Were they written in the same year? No. In the same country? No.

Both have been voted New Zealanders' favourite piece of classical music and reached the prime position in “Settling the Score,” Concert FM's 12-hour programme on New Year's Day.

There are a handful of works which appear in the top ten each year - Elgar's autumnal Cello Concerto, Bach's sacred music, usually the Mass in B minor and St Matthew Passion. Chamber music is present thanks to Schubert's String Quartet No 14, Death & the Maiden, and the String Quintet in C. Beethoven's never been at No 1, but his works appear more frequently than those of anybody else.

Outside the Top 10 there's more movement amongst placings. Estonian Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel has been included; Henryk Gorecki was nominated with his Symphony No 3; Dmitri Shostakovich with his String Quartet No 8, decrying the bombing of Dresden during WWII.

Please place your nominations for Settling the Score, to be broadcast Saturday 1 January 2005, then listen out for a whole day of music put forward by Concert FM's audience and presented as a countdown to the most popular work.

Wishing you a happy and relaxing Christmas and a New Year full of music.

Kate Mead
Production Manager
Concert FM

474-1726

Send your recommendations to
rnz@radionz.co.nz

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21.26
TART ART

Two more works have been added to the "Through a Dark Glass" political
exhibition on http://virtual.tart.co.nz

All artists are invited to be part of January exhibition "Hope Springs
Eternal" - works of optimism. Details are at

http://virtual.tart.co.nz/hope.htm

And, for artists who work in collage, the 7th "Bakers Dozen" international collage exchange is coming up. Works to New Zealand by late March. From http://outofsight.co.nz/Bakers/default.htm you can see previous exchanges, or get details on how to take part in this next one.

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21.27
ONE HUNDRED GRAND

Call for applications to 2005 Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers' Fellowship
Creative New Zealand is calling for applications to the 2005 Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers' Fellowship, worth $100,000.
The Fellowship is open to established New Zealand writers who have published significant works of literature. It will be awarded for a project that will take two years or more to complete and includes fiction, children's fiction, poetry, drama, biography and history.
The Creative New Zealand Writers' Fellowship was established in 2003 and awarded to Timaru writer Owen Marshall to complete a collection of longer short stories.
Earlier this year, it was renamed the Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers' Fellowship in recognition of the late Dr Michael King, his contribution to literature and his role in advocating for a major fellowship for New Zealand writers.
The 2004 recipient of the Creative New Zealand Michael Kings Writers' Fellowship was Wellington writer Vincent O'Sullivan. Receiving the Fellowship, O'Sullivan said that it gave him "total liberty to spend a couple of years devoted to researching and writing three works. There's still some essential research to be done out of New Zealand and the fellowship makes that possible."
The Fellowship is the result of the Government's additional funding of $1 million (inc. GST) per year to the literary sector. The rest of the funding was used to boost the New Zealand Authors' Fund, establish the annual Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement, and develop and implement a strategy to increase audiences and markets for New Zealand literature.
Applications to the Creative New Zealand Michael Kings Writers' Fellowship will be assessed by an expert literary panel and their recommendations will be forwarded to the Arts Board of Creative New Zealand for the final decision.
Applications close at 5pm on 26 March 2005. Application forms and guidelines can be downloaded from the resources section of Creative New Zealand's website (www.creativenz.govt.nz) or you can contact Danielle Tolson (Tel: 04-473 0184 Email: daniellet@creativenz.govt.nz).

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21.28
METAFILMIC, METAMEDIA

Film Archive mediaplex (Corner Ghuznee & Taranaki Streets)
Open daily from noon (Preview on Thursday 16 December from 6.00pm)
The first in a series of exhibitions that explore the history of the film industry in Wellington from its earliest days right up to the present. An underlying strand of the series is the phenomenon of a compact geographical locale, the Miramar Peninsular, providing the 80-year-old filmmaking heart of “Creative Wellington - Innovation Capital”
From the Tin Shed to Filmcraft explores in detail the history of Filmcraft, which from the late 1920s and into the 30s provided the directors, cameramen, editing and processing facilities for the film agency of the Government’s Tourist and Publicity Office, producing dozens of scenic films promoting New Zealand’s industries and scenic attractions to an international audience. The exhibition also includes a brief survey of Filmcraft’s predecessor: the Government Photography Office, based at the “Tin Shed”, the colloquial - and most polite - name for the rusted and rickety corrugated iron shed that housed the film unit in the early 20s.
Filmcraft’s story ends, and the exhibition concludes, with the sale of its Miramar Film Studios to the Tourist and Publicity Department in 1938 and the facility’s rebirth as the Government Film Studios, from 1941 the home of the National Film Unit.
The exhibition features a selection of photos and wall text panels, cartoons by Filmcraft cameraman Cyril Morton, along with monitors playing selected examples from the many films produced by the dedicated and creative staff at Filmcraft, often working under the most trying of circumstances. Circumstances more often than not created by the obtuse and contradictory instructions issued by their “masters” in the Publicity Office bureaucracy:
I got word from them that I was to leave by such and such a train from Auckland the following afternoon and proceed to Hellensville and then by river steamer to Dargaville. And what I was to shoot would follow in the next mail. And it duly followed in the morning, and it was so glaringly, obviously impossible you see. That for one thing, the river steamer left Helensville at quarter past seven and this was no day light saving in those days and it was nighttime, it was dark. And arrived at Dargaville at about three o’clock in the morning at the Great Northern Wairoa River.
And it stayed for only a quarter of an hour at Helensville, and yet at Helensville in that quarter of an hour at night time I was supposed to film the post office, the main street, sundry other buildings, the school, and the parks and gardens and hot pools at the spa. All in a quarter of an hour of darkness.
I sent a telegram saying that their instructions conflicted: that if I travelled as directed I would be doing the river journey at night (and they wanted the river journey all covered). As I said I’d be doing it at night and just before I had to get on to the train, just in time, I got a telegram - which I kept for years and years. It said: “Perfectly well aware you travel at night. Carry out the programme.” – Cyril Morton, Filmcraft cameraman
Films include: [Les Mitchell - Filmcraft Artist at Work], graphic artist Len Mitchell demonstrating art work at Filmcraft, Miramar; Eternal Fires: New Zealand's Only Active Volcano Ngauruhoe, with Filmcraft crew, including Len Mitchell, on location in the Central North Island and Deep Waters (1929), featuring footage originally shot in 1924 by Cyril Morton of Zane Grey on his big-game fishing expedition to New Zealand.
Grey’s time in New Zealand was documented in his memoir, Tales of the Angler’s Eldorado New Zealand, generously dedicated to, among others, Cyril Morton “cinematographer-extraordinary, who braved the rough seas, day after day, week after week, always on deck with his motion-picture camera, always ready with his cheery call - ‘When do we eat? When do we eat?’”

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21.29

Elena ‘s Cultural Symphony CD Release
Music recorded LIVE at The Michael Fowler Centre – 1 October 2004

The CD release of the music from Elena’s Cultural Symphony captures the distinctive full energy and diverse musical selection from the concert: a powerful fusion of diverse musical genres creating a new milestone in the music of Aotearoa.

Featuring
NGC Wellington Sinfonia Orchestra, Gareth Farr, April Neho, Howard Rimu McGuire, Whitireia Performing Arts, Strike and Michael Vinten. Tim Whitta (Composer and Strike member), and Professor Timoti Karetu (poet) create the concert centrepiece “1840 Waitangi Overture” (premiere)

Play list:
1840 Waitangi Overture Tim Whitta Text Timoti Karetu
Moonlight Sonata Ludwig van Beethoven arr Gareth Farr
Gloria Vivaldi
Blue Smoke Ruru Karaitiana
Kei a Koe e Ngati Porou Arr. Craig Utting
Kua Rongoi mai koe Bill Kerikeri arr Craig Utting
E Papa Waiari Arr Leni Sulusi
Abdelazar Purcell arr Gareth Farr
L' Apprenti Sorcier Dukas Arr Gareth Farr
Hallelujah Chorus Handel Arr Gareth Farr Text Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal

The CD’s centrepiece and opening tract is the Tim Whitta composition “1840 Waitangi Overture” which features the Wellington Sinfonia, the Whitireia Performing Arts group, percussionist whizzkids Strike, tenor Howard McGuire and soprano April Neho.

Vivaldi’s “Gloria” features Elena, the Sinfonia and the Whitireia group. Simple Fantastic, a six piece acoustic group, join Elena on “Kei a Koe e” and “Kua Rongo Mai Koe”.

Maori stick games as you’ve never heard them before (on E Papa Waiari”) features Strike. Classical works such as “L’Apprenti Sorcier”and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata are re-arranged by Gareth Farr (Gareth Farr and Tim Whitta play marimba with Elena on the latter track).

The only tack previously released on “Elena” is well worth revisiting is “Blue Smoke” which combines the talents of April Neho, and Elena.

Also a 50-minute Documentary on Elena is scheduled to appear on TV in January. The concert of “Elena’s Cultural Symphony” will appear in 2005 as well. Look for the recently released CD in your favourite music shop.

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21.30
PREVIOUS FUN WITH FUNDING
$66,237 has been awarded to 54 applicants in the latest Creative communities Wellington local funding round.

The scheme is a partnership between Wellington City Council and Creative New Zealand designed to assist grassroots arts projects.
Many Fringe Festival projects received grants of $2000 including Chaos Productions performing a new work My Sluttish Ways with Garlic, Baggage Arts Charitable Trust presenting Soul Food 2005 Te Haerenga – a storytelling extravaganza, and Java Co-operative who are developing a new contemporary dance work.
The Wellington Fringe Festival, on in February next year, receives a special arts grant from the Council each year which encourages emerging artists to have a go alongside more established artists in a festival renown for its variety and exuberance.
Grants Committee Chair Barbara Nef was encouraged by diversity of applications from the ethnic communities. "It is exciting to see ethnic groups having the courage to step beyond more conventional projects. One Chinese group intends to work with a Maori group and mime artists for a cross-cultural show.
"All of these projects make a valuable contribution to the Wellington arts capital."
Other cultural groups to benefit include the Wellington Iranian Cultural Society who received $980 for dance and music celebrations for the Iranian New Year, and the Sri Lanka Association of New Zealand received two grants - one for the repeat performance of Pin Akunu and a training workshop, the other for dance costumes for cultural events.
The next grants round closes 29 April 2005 and further information can be found on the Council's website
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/grants/index.html
Arts grants seminars will be run on March 22 and April 11 for those seeking guidance on this scheme and other arts grants run by Wellington City Council.

Thre’S More about the recent grant awards here

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/news/display-item.php?id=2087

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21.31
FREAKY

Be on the lookout for

Freaks and The Sideshow
Fashion that will make your scream…

Coming to Bar Bodega
8pm December 30
Door sales: $10

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21.32
BLOG IT

Hey Joe Blogs: The best and most topical art weblogs on the planet are all under one roof, covering everything from architecture to dance to contemporary trends in arts management and audience development. Point your browser to the below site, and click on whatever tickles your fancy.

http://www.artsjournal.com/blogs/

And No. 8 Wire readers: Send us your favourite on-line news sources, blogs, and cultural cyber-destinations.

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21.33
ART NEWS FROM MELBOURNE

What’s going on in the galleries, concert halls, and streets of Melbourne? Find out here, every day…

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/arts/

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21.34
ICH BIN EIN BERLINER?

Creative New Zealand seeks applications to its Berlin Writers' Residency
The Arts Board of Creative New Zealand is calling for applications to the 2005 Creative New Zealand Berlin Writers' Residency, which offers a New Zealand writer the opportunity to live and write in Berlin for a period of between eight months and one year.
The biennial residency includes the rental costs of an apartment in the centre of Berlin, a stipend of NZ$3000 a month and a return airfare from New Zealand to Germany. The selected writer will work on an approved project and must be able to undertake the residency for a negotiable period between August 2005 and July 2006.
Previous recipients are Sarah Quigley, Tina Shaw, Kapka Kassabova and Philip Temple. Temple, who returned to Dunedin from the 2003 residency in late May, worked on two projects while he was in Berlin. The first - a work of fiction/history/memoir - is called White Shadows and will be published by Vintage New Zealand in March 2005. The second project, a novel, involved extensive research.
The residency is open to established New Zealand writers who have been resident in New Zealand for at least three years prior to making the application. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 11 February 2005. Residency guidelines can be downloaded from the resources section of Creative New Zealand's website
www.creativenz.govt.nz
or by contacting
Rosemary Wildblood
04-498 0741
rosemaryw@creativenz.govt.nz
or Danielle Tolson
Tel: 04-473 0184
daniellet@creativenz.govt.nz

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21.35
WRITING THE WORLD

Applications are invited for the New Zealand Book Council Creative New Zealand International Writers' Programme 2005.

The International Writers' Programme gives writers the opportunity to attend an offshore festival or undertake other promotional activities associated with overseas publication of their work during 2005.

The programme is open to writers of fiction, poetry, children's literature, drama and non-fiction who are New Zealand citizens or have New Zealand residency.

For more information and an application form, contact the International Writers' Programme, New Zealand Book Council, Level 5, Old Wool House, 139 Featherston Street, Wellington 6001, email director@bookcouncil.org.nz

Applications close on 22 December 2004.

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21.36
MAORI SHOWBANDS - TE PAPA'S FIRST ON-LINE EXHIBITION

Maori Showbands, Te Papa's first on-line exhibition was launched on 4 December.

This exhibition celebrates the musical phenomenon of the 1950s and 60s when a generation of multi-talented performers took their unique blend of popular music and Maori culture from New Zealand to the world.

Visitors to Maori Showbands will experience an insight into the sensational rise of the showbands through stories, photographs, quotes, scrapbook memories, music and film clips. The parade of singers, musicians, and bands profiled include such greats as the Maori Hi Five, the Maori Hi Quins, the Quin Tikis, the Maori Premiers, Maori Volcanics and the Howard Morrison Quartet.

The roots of the showbands are explored through Maori musical traditions and kapa haka concert parties. The exhibition also highlights notable musical forebears in the popular entertainment field such as Epi Shalfoon, Ana Hato, the Tahiwi whanau, and Ruru Karaitiana.

Visitors will learn about the influences that have shaped popular Maori music. The styles that were drawn on such as - rhythm and blues, Hawaiian music, show tunes, even music hall comedy to create their own unique genre.

Maori Showbands, www.maorishowbands.co.nz Te Papa's first online exhibition is now live. So go there.

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21.37
GOOD FOLKS

Step back in time to celebrate the days of yore when the FOLKLORE FESTIVAL comes to Frank Kitts Park on Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 January 2005. From Blacksmiths to Fortune Tellers, Craft Stalls to Medieval Feasts, Games to Story Tellers – this free event will appeal to young and old – so don your suit of armour, blacken your teeth and get set for a merry old time! Save the weekend in your diary, and check out

www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz

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21.38
LASTING MOMENTS
THE LAST MOMENT: RECENT WELLINGTON VIDEO ART
Now to 16 January 2005
Wellington City Gallery’s Hirschfeld Gallery

That Last Moment brings together four recent video-works by five Wellington-based artists: Kaleb Bennett, Damon Meade, Johanna Sanders and Bek Coogan, and VJ Rex. Each of these artists has drawn on the rich tradition of cinematic history in the creation of their works; at times playing homage, at other times parodying the genres of science-fiction, b-grade horror and the grand old Western.

Kaleb Bennett was born in Hamilton in 1976. His work was included in the 2004 Trust Waikato Contemporary Art Award exhibition and has been exhibited in various locations around Wellington in galleries including Enjoy Public Art Gallery and in the art projects Interventions, House/Layered and The Ouse Project. He currently works in Wellington and lives in Melrose.
Bek Coogan was born in Palmerston North in 1972. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Quay School of Fine Arts, Wanganui Polytechnic, and has recently completed her Masters in Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington. She lives and works in Wellington.
Damon Meade was born in Gisbourne in 1979. He has just completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the School of Fine Arts, Massey University Wellington. Meade’s work has been included in the exhibitions in Wellington and Gisbourne including Simmer: a painting show at a temporary venue in Wellington and as part of the cupcup exhibition (collaboration with Thomas Bayrle) at The Dowse, Lower Hutt. Meade lives in Wellington and Gisbourne.
Johanna Sanders was born in 1970 in Sydney, Australia. She is currently completing a Masters in Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington. Sanders’ had an exhibition portal4 at Enjoy Public Art Gallery, Wellington and her work Rear Window Projection was included in the 2004 Wellington Fringe Festival. She works in Wellington and lives in Lyall Bay.
VJ Rex was born in Otahuhu in 1969. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Canterbury in 1991 and has a Master of Fine Arts from RMIT, Melbourne in 1998. VJ Rex has exhibited widely throughout New Zealand including City Gallery Wellington’s Telecom Prospect 2004, Whare at SoFA Gallery, Christchurch and Techno Maori: Maori Art in the Digital Age at City Gallery Wellington and Pataka Museum of Arts and Cultures in 2001.

http://www.citygallery.org.nz/mainsite/HirschfeldGallery1.html

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21.39
CARVED UP

Wellington’s Soft as Stone Symposium has come about for a number of reasons, one being we are keeping the tradition alive of having a big stone carving event on the Wellington waterfront.

Tarietanga, the Wellington stone symposium, which is no longer being held, was an integral part of Wellington's artistic and cultural life. Soft as stone will fill this summer artistic niche and continue to do so over coming years.

Many people visited Tarietanga over the period it was going, our symposium will capitalise on the knowledge Wellingtonians have that it is nearly stone symposium time again. We will add to this by bringing the symposium a step closer to Civic Square, the hub of Wellington’s artistic, cultural and administrative area. This will be of value to all those people who at lunch time walk down to see the unfolding of the sculptures. The visitors to the city who may spend longer interacting with the artists. Also to give the art buying public of Wellington the opportunity to interact with, and purchase pieces from national and international artists. As well as this access, the symposium is a good vehicle for artistic exchange and growth for artists.it is an vent that has appeal to many different people, and promotes a very New Zealand art form - Oamaru stone carving.

We already have interest from national and international sculptors. This will be a stand outevent in Wellingtons summer cultural calendar for 2005
and many summers to come.

Hope to see you there,
Aaron Frater
afraternz@yahoo.com

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21.40
THE NO.8 WIRE: PAST AND PRESENT

Archives of the No. 8 Wire are on-line at
www.arts.blogspot.com

______________________________________________________________

21.41
CONTACT THE NO.8 WIRE

To be removed from this email list…

To be added…

To submit contents, events, opportunities, or comments to contribute to…

Please send word to arts@wcc.govt.nz

Furthermore, send comments, questions, requests, etc to

Eric Vaughn Holowacz
Community Arts Co-ordinator
Wellington City Council / Wellington Arts Centre
P. O. Box 2199
Wellington, New Zealand
Arts@wcc.govt.nz

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21.42
SANTA’S APOLOGIST

Francis P. Church's editorial, "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" was
an immediate sensation, and went on to became one of the most famous editorials ever written. It first appeared in the The New York Sun
in 1897, and was reprinted annually until 1949 when the paper went out of business.

Thirty-six years after her letter was printed, Virginia O'Hanlon recalled the events that prompted her letter:

“Quite naturally I believed in Santa Claus, for he had never disappointed me. But when less fortunate little boys and girls said there wasn't any Santa Claus, I was filled with doubts. I asked my father, and he was a little evasive on the subject.

“It was a habit in our family that whenever any doubts came up as to how
to pronounce a word or some question of historical fact was in doubt, we wrote to the Question and Answer column in The Sun. Father would always say, 'If you see it in the The Sun, it's so,' and that settled the matter.

“ 'Well, I'm just going to write The Sun and find out the real truth,'
I said to father. “He said, 'Go ahead, Virginia. I'm sure The Sun will give you
the right answer, as it always does.' ”

And so Virginia sat down and wrote her parents' favorite newspaper.

Her letter found its way into the hands of a veteran editor, Francis P. Church. Son of a Baptist minister, Church had covered the Civil War for The New York Times and had worked on the The New York Sun for 20 years, more recently as an anonymous editorial writer. Church, a sardonic man, had for his personal motto, “Endeavour to clear your mind of cant.” When controversal subjects had to be tackled on the editorial page, especially those dealing with theology, the assignments were usually given to Church.

Now, he had in his hands a little girl's letter on a most controversial matter,
and he was burdened with the responsibility of answering it.

“Is there a Santa Claus?” the childish scrawl in the letter asked. At once, Church knew that there was no avoiding the question. He must answer, and he must answer truthfully. And so he turned to his desk, and he began his reply which was to become one of the most memorable editorials in newspaper history. Church married shortly after the editorial appeared. He died in April, 1906, leaving no children.

Virginia O'Hanlon went on to graduate from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts degree at age 21. The following year she received her Master's from Columbia, and in 1912 she began teaching in the New York City school system, later becoming a principal. After 47 years, she retired as an educator. Throughout her life she received a steady stream of mail about her Santa Claus letter, and to each reply she attached an attractive printed copy of the Church editorial. Virginia O'Hanlon Douglas died on May 13, 1971, at the age of 81, in a nursing home in Valatie, N.Y.

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21.43
CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN

Final passage of Thomas Merton’s “The Seven Storey Mountain”

You will be praised, and it will be like burning at the stake. You will be loved, and it will murder your heart and drive you into the desert. You will have gifts, and they will break you with their burden. You will have the pleasures of prayer, and they will sicken you and you will fly from them.
And when you have been praised a little and loved a little I will take away all the gifts and all your love and all your praise and you will be utterly forgotten and abandoned and you will be nothing, a dead thing, a rejection. And in that day you shall begin to possess the solitude you have so long desired. And your solitude will bear immense fruit in the souls of men you will never see on earth.

Do not ask when it will be or where it will be or how it will be; on a mountain or in a prison, in a desert or in a concentration camp or in a hospital or at Gethsemani. It does not matter. So do not ask me, because I am not going to tell you. You will not know until you are in it. But you shall taste the true solitude of my anguish and my poverty and I shall lead you into the high places of my joy and you shall die in Me and find all things in My mercy which has created you for this end and brought you…..to the Cistercian Abbey of the poor men who labour in Gethsemani: that you may become the brother of God and learn to know the Christ of the burnt men.

Sit finis libri, non finis quarendi
("may this be the end of the book, but not the end of searching")

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21.44
HAPPY HOLIDAYS

To you and yours…

…and may you find love, freedom, warmth, creativity, happiness, peace, fullness, and all good things in 2005.

Thanks for making Wellington an interesting and creative place to be.


Friday, December 03, 2004

The No. 8 Wire - Issue 20

Gondwanaland Ministry of Culture
Artists' Information Bureau

************************************************************************

An Electronic Alert for 519 of Wellington's Creative People



20.00
ACT I, SCENE I

On a ship at sea: a tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard.

(Enter a Master and a Boatswain)

Master: Boatswain!
Boatswain: Here, master: what cheer?

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20.01
ICH BIN EIN BERLINER?

Creative New Zealand seeks applications to its Berlin Writers' Residency
The Arts Board of Creative New Zealand is calling for applications to the 2005 Creative New Zealand Berlin Writers' Residency, which offers a New Zealand writer the opportunity to live and write in Berlin for a period of between eight months and one year.
The biennial residency includes the rental costs of an apartment in the centre of Berlin, a stipend of NZ$3000 a month and a return airfare from New Zealand to Germany. The selected writer will work on an approved project and must be able to undertake the residency for a negotiable period between August 2005 and July 2006.
Previous recipients are Sarah Quigley, Tina Shaw, Kapka Kassabova and Philip Temple. Temple, who returned to Dunedin from the 2003 residency in late May, worked on two projects while he was in Berlin. The first - a work of fiction/history/memoir - is called White Shadows and will be published by Vintage New Zealand in March 2005. The second project, a novel, involved extensive research.
The residency is open to established New Zealand writers who have been resident in New Zealand for at least three years prior to making the application. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 11 February 2005. Residency guidelines can be downloaded from the resources section of Creative New Zealand's website
www.creativenz.govt.nz
or by contacting
Rosemary Wildblood
04-498 0741
rosemaryw@creativenz.govt.nz
or Danielle Tolson
Tel: 04-473 0184
daniellet@creativenz.govt.nz

__________________________________________________________________

20.02
DEAR NO.8 WIRE

My name is Charles Barrie and I am a student at Victoria University of
Wellington. I am in the process of organizing a multicultural extravaganza
which has been given the name of “The Be What You Are Festival: a
celebration of unity in diversity”. The vision of “be what you are” is
threefold:

-To create a safe, joyous, healing space where people can come
together to celebrate life and unite across all boundaries of race,
religion, sex, creed or age.

- To attempt to eliminate fear, isolation, discrimination, and
separation from our lives by experiencing and attempting to understand the way others live in, and view the world.

- To bring people together and unite in the attempt to build a
more peaceful world based on peace, sharing, creativity and cooperation.

The festival is a one day (11am-5pm) celebration which will be held in Cuba mall on Saturday, 4th of December. It is aimed at all people, families and young children included, from Wellington and beyond. Helen Ray at the WCC has given her approval for the festival, and the Cuba mall has been booked.

The festival will include a range of diverse bands and music (both popular
local bands and cultural/ethnic performers), interspersed with speakers and presentations from representatives of different cultural, religious and
lifestyle groups. Each speaker will give a brief talk on the topics of
peace, creativity, unity and cross-cultural harmony.

There will also be performances and participatory activities throughout the day. The idea is to create a vibrant atmosphere where people can feel free to step out of their comfort zones and more fully embrace the glorious unity and diversity of life. Confirmed performers and speakers include ethnic fusion dance group “Indigo fusion dance co.”, yoga monk Dada Jiterananda, Zen teacher Phillip Squire, poets; Lewis Scott, Basim Furat and Yilma Tasew, violin virtuoso Elena, Gareth Farr and Ryan Prebble. The Wellington group Dances of universal peace have agreed to conduct a participatory peace dance to finish off the day.

On the day there will also be stalls from local volunteer, environmental,
and creative groups hoping to inspire the festival goers to take a more
active role in the community; these include Unicef, Trade aid, The Learning Connexion.. I have also spoken to Vincent’s community art centre and they are very enthusiastic about the day. I have encouraged them and a large number of other artists to come to the mall on the day and sculpt, paint, draw, dance, write and sing in order to create a general aura of creativity and cooperation which hopefully will rub off on and inspire others. Festival goers will be invited to bring along their own creativity and diverse ways of celebrating life to the festival also.

The idea for this festival arose under the stimulus of the recent threats to
cross-cultural stability in Wellington, New Zealand and the whole world. It
is hoped that by exposing the audience to such a large variety of different views on, and ways of celebrating life, a feeling of the importance of attempting to reach out, unite and cooperate across perceived boundaries will develop. If this idea speaks to you and you would like to get involved or offer support in anyway please don’t hesitate to contact me.

prophetofmaitreya@hotmail.com
Phone: 04 475 5085
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20.03
WRITING THE WORLD

Applications are invited for the New Zealand Book Council Creative New Zealand International Writers' Programme 2005.

The International Writers' Programme gives writers the opportunity to attend an offshore festival or undertake other promotional activities associated with overseas publication of their work during 2005.

The programme is open to writers of fiction, poetry, children's literature, drama and non-fiction who are New Zealand citizens or have New Zealand residency.

For more information and an application form, contact the International Writers' Programme, New Zealand Book Council, Level 5, Old Wool House, 139 Featherston Street, Wellington 6001, email director@bookcouncil.org.nz

Applications close on 22 December 2004.

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20.04
MEZZO-SPACE

Paintings by Andrei Overweel
December 2 to 9

Paintings by Mark Molnar and Adrienn Gyongyosi
December 13 to 23

Wellington Main Library
Mezzanine Floor, next to Clark’s Café

Mezzo-space is a new initiative by Wellington City Council’s Community Arts Office, to provide no-cost temporary exhibition room for local artists. The hall is located on the mezzanine level of the main library, in the former BAM Bookstore space. Artists and groups interested in proposing an exhibition for mezzo-space, should contact Eric Holowacz on 385-1929 or arts@wcc.govt.nz to learn about the guidelines and requirements.

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20.05
GLOBAL FLEET

The start gun has been fired for Leg 2 of the Global Challenge 2004 – 2005 from the Yacht Club Argentino. The yachts sail south from Buenos Aires, turning westwards to round Cape Horn. The fleet battles across these isolated waters for more than five weeks, and 6,100 nautical miles, before landfall in Wellington.

The Global Challenge fleet of 12 identical yachts, crewed by amateurs, races around the globe against prevailing winds and currents. The leading yachts are expected to arrive in Wellington at the end of leg two from Buenos Aries between 3-10 January. The fleet will leave Wellington for Sydney on Waitangi day, completing a harbour course before racing across the Tasman.

A number of stopover events are planned including a street parade on 10 January through downtown Wellington to Civic Square where all crew members and sponsors will be officially welcomed to Wellington. Queens Wharf will also be full of action with live entertainment, corporate sailing, sponsor giveaways, and the official farewell ceremony on Waitangi Day.

The public will also get the chance to board the yachts and support Save the Children New Zealand during a public open day on 30 January – a rare opportunity for an international sailing event of this scale.

To keep track of the action as the Global Challenge fleet closes in to Wellington check out www.globalchallenge2004.com.

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20.06
COMEDIC CHIROPTERA

This week at BATS we are very excited to present Taki Rua's Untold Tales of Maui. If you haven't already booked the season is completely sold out. You can book on to a waiting list by replying to this email or turn up at 8pm any night of the performance to put your name down for standby return tickets for the evening. Alternatively you could call Downstage as the season has extended there for 5 nights - 14 - 18 December. Call 802 6946 for more information.

But don't despair! Cracks in the Garden has returned for a three night season this week - Jo Randerson and Gentiane Lupi present their critically acclaimed show for a limited season. Book now to avoid disappointment, this show is hot.

To book for any performance simply email BATS with your name, number of tickets and date you wish to attend. We will reply to confirm your booking and you can pay when you come to the show.

Coming up next at BATS - The 8: Reindeer Monologues and Glamarama - seeing the year out in style. Check out www.bats.co.nz for more information.

Cracks in the Garden
Season: Thursday 2nd - Saturday 4th December
Time: 7pm
Tickets: $15 full/ $12 concession

STOP PRESS!! Cracks In The Garden is back at BATS for Three Nights Only!!

We're doing a quick pre-Christmas season because heaps of people want to see the show again or missed it the first time, and also so we can film the show to send to festivals overseas. Don't miss Jo and Gentiane before they take off to Europe - this could be your last chance.

Cracks In the Garden won the Best Comedy Award at the 2003 Melbourne Fringe Festival and has received rave reviews around New Zealand.

”There are hints of violence and sexual involvement, breakdowns and sulks, mental instability, co-dependency and religious obsession. There is also a bear suit and a giant cheese. Intelligent, disturbing, character-based comedy....works brilliantly." The Age, Melbourne, 2003.

BATS Theatre is at
1 Kent Terrace
Wellington
bats@bats.co.nz
bookings 802 4175
office 802 4176
fax 802 4010
www.bats.co.nz

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20.07
MAORI SHOWBANDS - TE PAPA'S FIRST ON-LINE EXHIBITION

Maori Showbands, Te Papa's first on-line exhibition is being launched on 4 December.

This exhibition celebrates the musical phenomenon of the 1950s and 60s when a generation of multi-talented performers took their unique blend of popular music and Maori culture from New Zealand to the world.

Visitors to Maori Showbands will experience an insight into the sensational rise of the showbands through stories, photographs, quotes, scrapbook memories, music and film clips. The parade of singers, musicians, and bands profiled include such greats as the Maori Hi Five, the Maori Hi Quins, the Quin Tikis, the Maori Premiers, Maori Volcanics and the Howard Morrison Quartet.

The roots of the showbands are explored through Maori musical traditions and kapa haka concert parties. The exhibition also highlights notable musical forebears in the popular entertainment field such as Epi Shalfoon, Ana Hato, the Tahiwi whanau, and Ruru Karaitiana.

Visitors will learn about the influences that have shaped popular Maori music. The styles that were drawn on such as - rhythm and blues, Hawaiian music, show tunes, even music hall comedy to create their own unique genre.

The Maori Showbands website is being launched on Saturday 4 December, 1.30pm, followed by a panel discussion. Visitors will hear musicians talk about their showband experiences and will enjoy a live performance. Soundings Theatre, Level 2, Free entry.

To celebrate the launch of the website, Te Papa presents The Maori Volcanics and Rim D Paul with friends reuniting for a one-time only concert. Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, Saturday 4 December at 7.30pm. Tickets available from all Ticketek outlets.

Maori Showbands, www.maorishowbands.co.nz Te Papa's first online exhibition is being launched on 4 December 2004.


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20.08
LIVE AND ALIVE AT HAPPY

Thursday December 2nd at 10pm
The Jonathan Crayford Trio
Wellington’s finest jazz pianist performing with Anthony Donaldson and Patrick Bleakley

Friday December 3rd at 10pm
Olmecha Supreme with guests DJs
Feat. Imon Starr (from Rhombus) and more.

Saturday December 4th at 10pm
Odessa
The core of OdESSA formed in 2002, when guitarist Armitage met up with an old friend Pender by chance and the two got talking. "I had a few songs and ideas kicking around and we thought it'd be fun to get together and work on them" remembers lead-vocalist Pender. Shortly after, Armitage was asked by a friend to scramble together a band to play at her farewell party. Paul Mouncey was asked on board to play bass. An old friend that studied with Armitage at Wellington's Conservatorium Of Music 3 years previous, Mouncey was a regular on the local circuit with bands Fisting Gorillia Man and Benny And The Jets. His input fleshed out the bare-bones of the new compositions with fluid rhythms and funkier grooves. The bands first drummer, Myles Climo, completed the groups first line-up.

They decided the group needed a name but settling on one proved difficult. We argued for ages about other names" says Pender "But we couldn't agree." The girl who invited the band to play at her party was named Odessa. The group adopted her name partly in tribute, partly for lack of anything else. "We decided on OdESSA as a kind of in-joke, until eventually we'd come up with something else." After that first night, the band agreed to continue together to try and find some other work. After taking round a cassette tape of the band's rehersals to various bars trying to convince their managers to hire them, OdESSA were booked for nights at three seperate bars, the first of which was Cuba Street's Blue Note on June the 8th 2002.

After that first public outing, Climo quit the group. Matt Swain - aka 'Puba' - who had recently departed local punk band Monkey Puzzle, was recruited and the band managed to get more gigs, including an 18 month residency at Amba bar. With just a handful of gigs behind them, the band entered the 2002 National Battle Of The Bands competition, winning the Wellington leg before travelling to Auckland and finishing second overall. The prize money helped the band to invest in some better equipment. "We played gigs anywhere," remembers Pender "Anywhere that would have us. We just wanted as many people to see us as possible. And in the process we got better as a band."

In the two years since forming, OdESSA have played over a hundred shows. These include the 2004 Alpine Unity, an acclaimed performance at the 2003 Wellington Music Awards and support slots with Auckland funk collective one million dollars, Darren Watson and others. OdESSA will release their debut L.P in late 2004.

Tuesday December 7th at 10pm
The Dodecahedrons

Wednesday December 8th at 10pm
Tessa Rain
From City Chorus. Featuring members of Bleakhouse and Spartacus R

Coming up at Happy:
Pine with Hot Swiss Mistress (Dec 11th); Damo Suzuki with the Flower Orphans (Dec 12th); Gerard Masters Trio (14th-15th Dec) . . . and next year, The New Zealand Fringe Festival, Nights of the Flaming Anvil 2 and more and more music. Music makes us Happy.

If you would like to be added to Happy’s weekly email, please sent message to producer@happy.net.nz

Happy
underground, corner Vivian and Tory Streets
PO Box 9069
Wellington
+64 4 384 1965
www.happy.net.nz

presenting: improvised music, rock'n'roll, jazz, afrobeat, experimental music, funk, dub, free jazz, turntablism, contemporary classical, noise, punk, performance art, theatre, hip hop, reggae, electro-pop, folk, minimalism . . . live music, live performance

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20.09
ARTISTS GET ARMED

Because of public demand, ARMS have scheduled two more sessions of its popular (and free!) arts/business workshop about marketing and promotion (in association with The Biz Centre).

“Get Bizzy and Make Some Noise” is designed for visual artists, performers, musicians, writers, designers and others who want to boost their income and develop long-term sustainable careers in the creative industries. During a fast-paced, humorous and interactive 180 minutes, participants find out ways to boost profitability and promote themselves and their work in the local, national and global market.

We'd appreciate you notifying anyone you think may be interested in this opportunity…

The two options available are:
Thursday 9 December from 2-5pm
OR
Tuesday 14 December from 2-5pm.
FREE

The venue is the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, which is on Level 9 of Gen-i House, 109 Featherston Street (railway station end, just north of Waring Taylor Street).

Prospective participants MUST register (numbers are limited). Register by emailing (workshops@arms.org.nz) or ringing 021 2200 400 with a contact email address and/or phone number, indicating session preference.

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20.10
A GOOD READ

http://www.theartnewspaper.com/

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20.11
GOING WILD

Three New Zealand artists – Tabatha Forbes, Waikerere Gregory and Alison Isadora - have been selected by the Department of Conservation and Creative New Zealand to take up Wild Creations artist residencies in 2005.

Raglan mixed media artist Waikarere Gregory will take up her residency in Aniwaniwa, Te Urewera National Park to develop a body of work involving sculpture, written work and performance.

She plans to work with the local Tuhoe people, bringing her artistic training into practice alongside the Maori perspective of the inter-relationship between all the natural forces.

Auckland multi-media artist Tabatha Forbes has chosen Kingston in Central Otago as her residency site. She will develop a painting project, producing a series of botanical studies unique to the environment and a video work that explores the “sublime” experience within the environment in the tradition of late nineteenth-century painters.

Audio artist and composer Alison Isadora, formerly of Wellington but now based in the Netherlands, intends to spend time in Bannockburn, Central Otago collecting sound material to produce a collection of songs. She will also collect images of the river and create an interactive performance piece or installation.

Wild Creations is a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Creative New Zealand. It aims to foster links between conservation and artists by encouraging artists to create work inspired by New Zealand’s unique places, people, stories and natural environment.

More than 60 artists applied for the 2005 six-week residencies, which will take place at a range of conservation sites throughout New Zealand. DOC provides accommodation and logistical support for the artists. Creative New Zealand provides a stipend of $5000, plus up to $1000 for travel and materials to each artist.

Chair of the selection panel Kerry Marshall said the panel was impressed with the high calibre of entries, and thanked all the artists for the time and thought put into their applications.

Members of the panel looked for applications that demonstrated an excellent understanding of the purpose of the Wild Creations programme and how a residency would expand their practice. They also looked for an expression from artists of a clear connection between the natural and cultural values of their chosen area and how a residency in that area would inform and inspire their work.

“The three artists we finally selected ranked highly against the selection criteria and we anticipate great outcomes from the residencies,” Mr Marshall said.

Anne McLean, programme co-ordinator for DOC, said that the residencies were an ideal way of promoting New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage.

“The high standard of applications received since Wild Creation’s inauguration in 2002 is a clear affirmation of the programme’s potential. The artists involved to date have demonstrated the purpose and value of the programme through their involvement with the people and place of their chosen site, and have shared that experience through the works resulting from their residencies.”

Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand, said that New Zealand artists had always been influenced by this country’s landscape – the coastlines, the open spaces and the long views.

“There’s a clarity about New Zealand art that springs from our wild places and we’ve seen some exciting outcomes from previous Wild Creations recipients,” Miss Kerr said. “This partnership continues to demonstrate the way government organisations can work together to enhance their resources and achieve their goals.”

For further information please contact:
Anne McLean, DOC Senior Awareness Conservation Manager, 04 471 3182
Undine Marshfield, Senior Media and Communications Adviser, Creative New Zealand

Tel: 04 498 0725 Mob: 0274 965 925 Email: undinem@creativenz.govt.nz

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20.12
CREATIVE SUN ALSO RISES

Call for Participants from Fletcher Hanscomb

On Saturday, 11th December at Aro Community Hall, I am holding a
creative poster making evening. The aim is to create a range of original one-off posters for the Wellington Festival of the Sun, planned for early 2005. it is also an opportunity for individuals to meet and communicate with their creative counterparts. I am inviting a number of young and older creative types, whom I hope I have inspired enough to attend.

I am providing a light meal BBQ styles on the night and basic materials for
the poster creation: paper/paint/brushes etc. It is also a great opportunity to explain my vision for Festival of the Sun to those who come along.
If you know of anyone who would like to get involved, including yourself
of-course, here are the details.

Where: Aro Community Hall
What: poster making, great social environment, light dinner.
Why: To further communication in the creative community and promote the Wellington Festival of the Sun.
When: Sat the 11th December 2004 from 4pm onwards.

Give us a bell with your thoughts.

Fletch
fletch111@hotmail.com

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20.13
ABC’S AT INVERLOCHY

Inverlochy Art School
ABC Group Exhibition

4-12 December
Opening Reception at 7pm on 4 December
Guest Speaker: Tony Arthur

Ten emerging artists from Inverlochy’s ABC Painting Course, under instructor Roberto Paulet, exhibit their work.

Inverlochy@paradise.net.nz
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20.14
LAND OF DIXIE

Wellingtonians will be able to enjoy Dixieland jazz next Sunday 12 December while they explore the historic Melrose house and garden where the Plunket Society had its origins.

The former home of Plunket Society founders Dr Frederic Truby King and his wife Isabella will be open to the public as part of an annual open day from 1pm to 5pm.

Truby King Trust and Friends of the Botanic Garden members will be taking guided tours of the house and garden, there will be live music and a room where visitors can look at historic photos and listen to recorded conversations with nurses, staff and others who lived or worked in the house at one time.

Truby King and his wife co-founded the Plunket Society in 1907 and later founded similar societies in England, Australia, South Africa, India and Canada. Their bodies are buried in a mausoleum in the garden.

The Plunket Society took over the property and adjacent baby products factory in 1932. The house was used as a dormitory for senior nurses and at other times as Plunket Society offices.

City Council Botanic Gardens Manager David Sole says the 1.9 hectare property now known as Truby King Park has been owned by the Council since 1990. The garden is always open to the public but the house is normally only open by arrangement.

"The hill-top property has fantastic views and numerous elaborate brick walls and pergolas," he says. "It is a very special place that many people probably aren't aware of and well worth a visit."

Designed by prominent local architect William Gray Young, the 1923 house has New Zealand Historic Places Trust and City Council heritage listings and lots of original features including wood panelling and an inglenook fireplace.

It is intended the library of the house will eventually be developed as a small museum with the living and dining rooms restored so they can be more regularly used by the public for functions.

Parking for the open day is available on Manchester Street, Rodrigo Road and Sutherland Road but not in the park itself.

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20.15
CONNECTING ART AND LIFE

This is your personal invitation to the End of 2004 Student Art Exhibition @ The Learning Connexion – please come and visit and see how hard our talented students have worked this year!

Our exhibition opens on Thursday 9 December 2004 at 7.30pm, and final entry will be at 9.30pm – but we promise to leave you a little bit of “meandering time”! We’ll also be open Friday 10, Saturday 11, and Sunday 12 December, 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Over 600 fabulous artworks will be on display, including paintings, drawings, pastels, sculpture, ceramics, photography, print, computer graphics, videography, and design … These innovative works from up-and-coming as well as established artists reflect their passion for art, with an emphasis on creativity and thinking beyond the usual thoughts. You’re welcome to bring your friends, family, workmates, neighbours … you will walk away from our exhibition stunned and amazed!

We hope to see you – and by the way, Merry Christmas and we wish a safe and happy holiday season to you!

Debbie McGuire
The Learning Connexion
PO Box 9811, 31 Avon St, Island Bay, Wellington
DDI: (04) 383-4325
www.tlc.ac.nz

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20.16
GOOD FOLKS

Step back in time to celebrate the days of yore when the FOLKLORE FESTIVAL comes to Frank Kitts Park on Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 January 2005. From Blacksmiths to Fortune Tellers, Craft Stalls to Medieval Feasts, Games to Story Tellers – this free event will appeal to young and old – so don your suit of armour, blacken your teeth and get set for a merry old time! Save the weekend in your diary, and check out

www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz

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20.17
IN THE LONG GRASS

Long Grass Theatre Creating theatre in the Outdoors…
Following the successful theatrical event of Te Ngararahuarau in 2001 at the Tui Tree field, Suzan Jessie and Bert van Dijk have teamed up again to offer another invigorating and uplifting experience for young and old, novices and professionals, shy and bold.
Long Grass Theatre is a 6-day creative outdoor event in beautiful Wainui Bay (Golden Bay).
With the use of an old fantastical story to inspire the creation of original songs, choreography, puppets and action, the dramatic scenes will be placed in the natural environment of bush, creek, beach and field.
Long Grass Theatre is community theatre at its roots with the participants living, eating and creating together in breathtakingly beautiful surroundings, just a skip and jump away from the golden beach of Wainui Bay. The treefield is well provided with communal toilets, showers, cooking facilities and a number of huge tents in the unlikely case of bad weather.
Imagine sitting in the dark around a huge fire, listening to an ancient tale or dancing amongst the trees and waves and streams or making puppets out of driftwood and the treaures of the land…….
This imaginative venture will be facilitated by internationally renowed theatre maker Bert van Dijk, local artist Suzan Jessie and creator extraordinaire Kim Merry.
Dates: January 18 – 23, 2005
Venue: Tui Tree Field, Tui Community, Wainui Bay, Golden Bay
Cost: Adults (16yr +): $550.00
Kids: single $350.00 / 2 kids or more $275.00 each
If paid in full by December 14, 2004
Adult: $475.00
Kids: $275.00 / $225.00
This fee includes: food, materials, camping cost and tuition fees!
Further information:
Suzan Jessie, Ph: 03 525 9641 / Email: jimsuzi@goldenbay.net.nz

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20.18
TEACHING THE WORLD OT SING

Wellington World Choir
End of Year Performance
Saturday, December 14 at 8pm
St. Hilda’s Church, Island Bay
311 The Parade
koha appreciated
bertvd@clear.net.nz

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20.19
MAORI ARTS

To launch the New Year, the 5th Toi Maori Festival will be taking place in Hastings at the Hawke's Bay Exhibition Centre and adjacent Civic Square in a week-long programme of events across all of our artforms. The 'Te Maia Exhibition' will be the center of attention with readings, floortalks and artist demonstrations to accompany the exhibition of Maori and International Indigenous Art.

Toi Maori will also be presenting a programme of events during the AK05 Auckland Festival during February - March, alongside 'The Eternal Thread - Te Aho Mutunga Kore' exhibition of traditional and contemporary weaving at Auckland War Memorial Museum before it tours to North America. The 'Waharoa' exhibition at the Rotorua Festival of Arts (Feb-March) will be installed at the Rotorua Convention Centre, and an exhibition and ta moko demonstrations will be held at Te Matatini Festival at the end of February in Palmerston North.
http://www.maoriart.org.nz/events

http://www.maoriart.org.nz/
And finally - opening at Pataka Museum next week on December 11, Sandy Adsett will be having his first solo exhibition to be held in the Wellington region. All this and more can be found on our website, with new information being updated daily.
http://www.maoriart.org.nz

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20.20
NEW FOOTNOTES

Footnote Dance has much pleasure in announcing two new appointments to our management team working to coordinate the work of Footnote Dance throughout the country as a national company developing and presenting new New Zealand contemporary dance works to audiences all around the country. Welcome to Carey McDonald as Manager for Footnote Dance and to Nina Baeyertz who joins as Artistic Coordinator working to support the activities and projects undertaken by the company under the direction of Deirdre Tarrant.

Carey has a diverse background, covering performance, composition and direction in Music and Theatre, performing arts teaching at all age levels as well as production work for corporate videos, conferences and events – in New Zealand as well as the U.K.

She is currently teaching Dance and Drama at Wellington East Girls’ College, and also working as an announcer on Concert FM.
Nina has danced since she was young and travelled extensively. She has recently returned to Wellington and has been working for Footnote in administration for the past two months.

2005 is well advanced in planning with Choreolab 2005 (Jan 24-Feb 10th) starting the year and a full national tour programme in place that sees the company taking contemporary dance from Warkworth to Winton! Festivals confirmed for the year include Wellington Fringe in February (Perforum Thursday Feb 17th), a world premiere of Outside the Square at Capital E’s Youth Festival (March 16-19), Gisborne Arts Festival (17-20 April), the Wanaka Festival of Colours (26-30 April), Hawkes Bay opening of the new Opera House in Hastings (14-16 August) and Tauranga’s Arts Festival (Oct 22nd). Alongside these performances a national tour is also planned to include Auckland (Aotea Centre June 12-14), Wellington (Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, August 18-22) and Christchurch (James Hay Theatre August 26-27).

Current holder of the prestigious Guggenheim Award for Choreography, Jeremy Nelson is coming to New Zealand from New York and with the support of the USA Embassy to be the guest tutor/masterclass teacher for Choreolab. New choreographies confirmed so far for the company will be made by Raewyn Hill, Moss Patterson, Geordan Wilcox (RNZB) and Deirdre Tarrant. Erynne Gleeson, Debbie Fulford, Halina Wolynciewicz, Hannah Stannard and Lance Riley all return as company dancers.

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20.21
PROP ME UP

Propaganda Posters Exhibition at the National Library
10 December 2004 - 20 March 2005
Towards the Precipice
A new exhibition opening at the National Library Gallery next week brings together a remarkable selection of propaganda posters from the period 1935 to 1942.
Towards the Precipice: propaganda posters collected by WB Sutch features a selection of Spanish, German, British and Soviet posters that illustrate some of the crucial events and activities going on as Europe headed towards all-out war. The exhibition includes the personal papers of WB Sutch, along with books, pamphlets and photographs from the Turnbull Library collections.

The Spanish posters represent the voice of Republican opposition to the right wing Nationalist forces of General Franco in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, with rousing calls to arms like 'No Pasaran, Pasaremos - They shall not pass, We shall overcome'.

The selection of German posters focused on their use by the Nazi regime to win ordinary Germans over to their worldview by showing them, and the world, the promised material advantages of belonging to Hitler's Germany, particularly on the various arms of the 'Strength through Joy' movement.
The British posters cover the early years of the Second World War and build upon the generally accepted idea that the war was both just and necessary to defend traditional British values. Included in the show are two of the British government's early attempts to win over the British public - 'Your courage, Your cheerfulness, Your Resolution' and 'Freedom is in peril'. These posters are notorious for their absolute failure, the criticism directed towards them being that they perpetuated class differences.

Finally, the Soviet posters were designed following 'Operation Barbarossa', the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. They were later adapted by the British to reinforce the resulting Anglo-Soviet alliance against Hitler.
The exhibition also tells of some of WB Sutch's experiences in Europe from his initial travels in his early 20s to his overseas visits with Walter Nash for the New Zealand government in the late 1930s.
Towards the Precipice will be on show at the National Library Gallery from 10 December 2004 until 20 March 2005.

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20.22
SCRIBE OF THE MAGPIES

Denis Glover Exhibition at the National Library
10 December 2004 - 20 March 2005

The National Library Gallery has a programme of presenting exhibitions on New Zealand writers, and the next subject is the illustrious and infamous poet Denis Glover (1912-1980). A larger than life personality with prodigious talent, educated and articulate, an accomplished sailor with a University 'Blue' in boxing and a fondness for the bottle, he cut a rare figure.
Glover excelled as a publisher and founded the Caxton Press in Christchurch while at University. The modest 'Caxton Club', as it was initially known, went on to become the chief publisher of an emerging New Zealand literature. Fellow Cantabrian and writer Anton Vogt stated, 'The man who made and ran the Caxton Press before the State Literary Fund existed is the undisputed god-father of new New Zealand writing,' and 'he likes to play buffoon and tough, but he is a serious, gentle man. Indeed, God help him, he is a gentleman.'
During World War II in England Glover came to know many of the leading literary lights, and his work was included in the prestigious journal Penguin New Writing along with luminaries like of Jean-Paul Sartre and Laurie Lee. Glover's talent and exacting standards as a printer and typographer were also appreciated by this circle. In the late 1940s the London editor and publisher, John Lehmann, sought Glover out to have two books printed at Caxton Press.
As well as drawing on the Turnbull Library collections, the exhibition also presents items from private collections. One of the remarkable documents to have survived has been lent for the exhibition - Glover's official 'Top-Secret' instructions for the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, which should have by rights been returned to the Navy. His Commanding Officer later wrote: 'The most outstanding personality among them was the New Zealander Lieutenant Denis Glover DSC, RNZNVR. [*] and I had picked him to take over as guide of the fleet if my craft should be put out of action.' Glover's irascible irreverence had him playing hunting songs from a gramophone over a loud hailer as he landed his troops on the beach amidst heavy fire. Yet he then went on to save the crew of two other craft that were in significant difficulty. For this he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).
Denis Glover would not suffer fools gladly. The exhibition includes quotes from many of his unpublished letters which make lively and pointed reading. For example, he addresses a letter to the Readers Digest, which seems to have ignored his request to be removed from their address list, 'Persistently intolerable people'. A letter of advice to a literary hopeful is extraordinary in its blunt yet courteous criticism.
And of course he is the author of New Zealand's iconic poem, 'The Magpies,' with its unforgettable 'And Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle / The magpies said.' The exhibition presents a man who is talented, vociferous, boisterous and brave.

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20.23
I LIKE TO WATCH

Fame & Comedy on Frontseat, 11.00pm this Sunday 5th December
The Tragedy of TV Comedy: Jeremy Hansen discusses the long search for a top-rate NZ television comedy with Australian laugh legend Rob Sitch (Frontline, The Castle, The Dish), Jemaine Clement, Te Radar, Paul Horan, NZ On Air's Jo Tyndall and more. And Frontseat host Oliver Driver debates what's funny and how to get it on screen with TVNZ's Tony Holden and Scott Blanks from the Classic Comedy Bar.
Baby Remember My Name: With the impending birth of her first child, Frontseat reporter and former Aaria singer Amomai Pihama seeks out schools that encourage the performing arts, from the private Corelli School to Selwyn College in Auckland and Hagley High School in Christchurch.
Ballet Bites: The ever-popular choreographer and costume-maker Paul Jenden and co-star Louis Solino are preparing their next season of dance comedy at the Court 2 Theatre in Christchurch. It's a mad-cap journey through the history of dance from ballet to ballroom to, ah, the New Zealand contemporary dance scene.
Plus: Watch to find out how to win 'Phaic Tan - Sunstroke on a Shoestring', the new travel satire from Rob Sitch's Jetlag Travel, and 'Downstage Upfront' - a history of Downstage Theatre's first 40 years by John Smythe.

http://frontseat.co.nz/

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20.24
BIGGER THAN TEXAS

First NZ acts announced for South by Southwest 2005
The first part of the NZ contingent to next year's South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, has been announced. Invited to perform at SXSW 05 in March next year are:
* The Coolies
* The Have
* The Mint Chicks
They will join the 1100 artists that SXSW 05 will host over five days in concert at 50 venues between March 16th and 20th.
These initial artists were some of the first wave which got their submissions in early and complete with recordings and support material such as bios and media. Other artists whose submissions arrived toward the October 30 deadline are still in evaluation.
Other artists invited to perform will be announced in the coming weeks.

Mosey on down to
http://2005.sxsw.com/

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20.25
LASTING MOMENTS
THE LAST MOMENT: RECENT WELLINGTON VIDEO ART
Now to 16 January 2005
Wellington City Gallery’s Hirschfeld Gallery

That Last Moment brings together four recent video-works by five Wellington-based artists: Kaleb Bennett, Damon Meade, Johanna Sanders and Bek Coogan, and VJ Rex. Each of these artists has drawn on the rich tradition of cinematic history in the creation of their works; at times playing homage, at other times parodying the genres of science-fiction, b-grade horror and the grand old Western.

Kaleb Bennett was born in Hamilton in 1976. His work was included in the 2004 Trust Waikato Contemporary Art Award exhibition and has been exhibited in various locations around Wellington in galleries including Enjoy Public Art Gallery and in the art projects Interventions, House/Layered and The Ouse Project. He currently works in Wellington and lives in Melrose.
Bek Coogan was born in Palmerston North in 1972. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Quay School of Fine Arts, Wanganui Polytechnic, and has recently completed her Masters in Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington. She lives and works in Wellington.
Damon Meade was born in Gisbourne in 1979. He has just completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the School of Fine Arts, Massey University Wellington. Meade’s work has been included in the exhibitions in Wellington and Gisbourne including Simmer: a painting show at a temporary venue in Wellington and as part of the cupcup exhibition (collaboration with Thomas Bayrle) at The Dowse, Lower Hutt. Meade lives in Wellington and Gisbourne.
Johanna Sanders was born in 1970 in Sydney, Australia. She is currently completing a Masters in Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington. Sanders’ had an exhibition portal4 at Enjoy Public Art Gallery, Wellington and her work Rear Window Projection was included in the 2004 Wellington Fringe Festival. She works in Wellington and lives in Lyall Bay.
VJ Rex was born in Otahuhu in 1969. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Canterbury in 1991 and has a Master of Fine Arts from RMIT, Melbourne in 1998. VJ Rex has exhibited widely throughout New Zealand including City Gallery Wellington’s Telecom Prospect 2004, Whare at SoFA Gallery, Christchurch and Techno Maori: Maori Art in the Digital Age at City Gallery Wellington and Pataka Museum of Arts and Cultures in 2001.

http://www.citygallery.org.nz/mainsite/HirschfeldGallery1.html

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20.26
MAX GIMBLETT: THE BRUSH OF ALL THINGS
12 December 2004 - 6 March 2005
Wellington City Gallery
Although he has lived in New York for the past three decades, expatriate artist Max Gimblett has a strong commitment to maintaining and developing his connection with New Zealand. Since leaving, Gimblett has continued to exhibit regularly in New Zealand and returns to paint here; he is recognised as an important figure in the development of abstract painting in New Zealand, and his work is held in numerous private and public collections throughout the country.
Max Gimblett – The Brush of All Things is the first public gallery survey show of Gimblett’s work to be shown in New Zealand. Curated by independent curator and art historian Dr Wystan Curnow, the exhibition draws upon the past 25 years of the artist’s practice, representing all the main strands of his prolific practice. Combining new work with older work, and work from New Zealand collections with work from international collections and the artist’s studio, this exhibition will demonstrate the impressive range of this important expatriate artist, emphasising his place as one of our leading abstract painters.
Exhibition initiated and toured by the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o T?maki.
http://www.citygallery.org.nz/mainsite/MaxGimblettTheBrushOfAllThings.html

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20.27

CREATIVE SWITCHEROO

HAMES LEVACK are giving away their London Mayfair offices for three months of next year and are looking to give everyone in the world the chance to be the ones that get them. The idea is part of our latest project 'The Exchange', which will see the directors of HAMES LEVACK swap places with complete strangers from somewhere around the world. Whoever ends up coming to London will have three months and all the resources of HAMES LEVACK to put on an exhibition on whatever they want in whichever way they want to do it.

In order to give the world a chance we are spreading the word to every single country and we would appreciate it if you could help us by letting anyone in New Zealand who you think will be interested know about the project.

Would you be able to pass on information about the Exchange to people who you think would be interested and/or post information about it on your website? The deadline is the end of the month so there is not much time left.

See the website to get a better idea about the type of people we are looking for and to read the application form www.hameslevack.com/exchange.

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20.28
LOST WETA, FOUND ARTIST

Artist Exhiled on Matiu/Somes Island

Wellington artist Kristelle Plimmer will be able to indulge in her passion for weta after winning a week-long residency on Matiu/Somes Island.

Weta cast in silver dancing on a dead possum was the creation which won her most public acclaim at the Global Eye exhibition, run by the Department of Conservation in Wellington during Conservation Week. It featured the work of 11 Wellington artists from varying ethnicities who presented their thoughts and feelings on conservation and the environment in an alternative form. Purveyors of the works chose their favourite piece with the winning artist treated to a week-long, expenses-paid artist-in-residence stay on Matiu/Somes Island…where introduced weta have their own (tree) motel.

Wellington tree weta and giant Cook Strait giant weta were introduced to the island as part of a long-term plan to restore the island habitat. During her stay on the island, from December 6 to 13, Kristelle will have the chance to get the chance to meet Victoria University entomologist George Gibbs and learn more about the “fascinating creatures” which she has immortalised in metal. Kristelle’s workshop will also be open during the week, enabling the public to see her at work. Work resulting from the residency will be exhibited during Conservation Week 2005.

Department of Conservation community relations programme manager Dairne Poole says Matiu/Somes Island, with its colourful past, fascinating flora and fauna and spectacular 360 degree views, is the perfect place to inspire creativity.

“Reminders of the island’s past as an internee camp, quarantine station and defence post remain and it is these, along with the flora, fauna and perspective that the island offers, that will inspire Kristelle during her stay.”

She hoped it there would be future artist in residence opportunities on the island.

“Conservation needs to be accessible to all. Through making it accessible, greater conservation and environmental outcomes can be achieved for both the environment and the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.”

Kristelle says she plans to spend her time on the island “looking and thinking, sketching, making some jewellery, soaking up the atmosphere, absorbing the place as much as possible and getting close to the weta.”

“I love them. They’re are so cute… and ancient.”

She hopes that visitors to the island will take time to call in on her during her stay there.

“I’m planning on displaying jewellery made on the spot, exclusive to the island.”


Artist – in – Residence: Kristelle Plimmer

Matiu Somes Island from

December 6th – December 13th 2004

Studio Open: 10.30am to 2.30pm, Wednesday to Friday, and 10.30am to 4.00pm on Saturday

Exclusive Matiu Somes Island jewellery will be under construction:
Call in and say hello.

Follow the signs from the wharf

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20.29
CARVED UP

Wellington’s Soft as Stone Symposium has come about for a number of reasons, one being we are keeping the tradition alive of having a big stone carving event on the Wellington waterfront.

Tarietanga, the Wellington stone symposium, which is no longer being held, was an integral part of Wellington's artistic and cultural life. Soft as stone will fill this summer artistic niche and continue to do so over coming years.

Many people visited Tarietanga over the period it was going, our symposium will capitalise on the knowledge Wellingtonians have that it is nearly stone symposium time again. We will add to this by bringing the symposium a step closer to Civic Square, the hub of Wellington’s artistic, cultural and administrative area. This will be of value to all those people who at lunch time walk down to see the unfolding of the sculptures. The visitors to the city who may spend longer interacting with the artists. Also to give the art buying public of Wellington the opportunity to interact with, and purchase pieces from national and international artists. As well as this access, the symposium is a good vehicle for artistic exchange and growth for artists.it is an vent that has appeal to many different people, and promotes a very New Zealand art form - Oamaru stone carving.

We already have interest from national and
international sculptors. This will be a stand out
event in Wellingtons summer cultural calendar for 2005
and many summers to come.

Hope to see you there,
Aaron Frater
afraternz@yahoo.com

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20.30
WHAT A SMASH

A $600,000 sequel to last year’s successful pilot of a Smash Palace Collaboration Fund will give more New Zealand artists and scientists the opportunity to work together on projects that bring their two disciplines together.

The Smash Palace Fund, the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) and Creative New Zealand, was announced at Futurability, a workshop looking at the future of skills development for research, science and technology, hosted by MoRST on 1 November.

Building connections across different disciplines is seen by the Government as an important part of fostering New Zealand’s innovative and dynamic culture.

“Connections, collisions and other surprises can happen when science and art meet,” said Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand, Elizabeth Kerr.

Creative New Zealand will manage the fund on behalf of MoRST.

“Innovation thrives in a climate that supports risk-taking, encourages true experimentation and allows for the possibility of failure – or magnificent success! That’s what Smash Palace provides,” said Dr Helen Anderson, MoRST Chief Executive.

The Smash Palace collaboration between MoRST and Creative New Zealand was recently recognised as a leading initiative in the public sector, winning the State Sector Category at the 2004 BearingPoint Innovation Awards. Last year’s pilot fund supported three projects, which involved a virtual reality children’s picture book, a web-based performance venue and a work portraying social and environmental interconnections in the Motueka River catchment. Applications for this year’s fund close on 18 February 2005. For application details please contact John McDavitt, Creative New Zealand, 04 498 0736.

The term “Smash Palace” refers to the panelbeater’s shop in the New Zealand film of the same name. MoRST and Creative New Zealand chose the title because they wanted to convey the fact that both artists and scientists are passionate people, who bring their own dreams and expectations to the collaborative process. This process can involve creative collisions that ignite ideas to achieve extraordinary and unexpected results.

Funding for the extension to the collaboration fund was provided through the Growth and Innovation Framework component of the Government’s Budget, announced in May this year.

For application details contact John McDavitt
Email: johnmcd@creativenz.govt.nz

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20.31
CUBA FLOTATION DEVICE

We are now calling for submissions for parade floats for the 2005 Cuba St Carnival Parade. The Parade is taking place on Saturday February 26th at 8.30pm.

We are seeking awe-inspiring creative pieces of art to send down the street to wow our audience!

The Cuba St Carnival is one of the creative highlights of Wellington's social calendar. A showcase for local musicians and artists, with a strong Latin theme, the 2005 Carnival will be an opportunity to revel in the street. The 04 Parade was a great hit, with a wide range of diverse and fascinating entries. The 05 Parade will be bigger and brighter with a greater emphasis on the creative components of the entries.

The theme for this year’s parade is ‘The Body Electric’

This theme is an expression of dynamic movement, a celebration of the body, dance, impulse, momentum, percussion, spontaneity, magnetism, a fusion of the body and technology.

And, as a way of acknowledging the energy and effort put in by all parade entrants, the 2005 Parade will be judged in three categories by celebrity judges, and the winners will receive highly coveted prizes. This is the first year that competition has been introduced into the Parade.

Larissa Marno
Parade Supremo
Cuba St Carnival Parade 2005

Mob: 021 480 140
Fax: 04 473 8873
parade@cubacarnival.org.nz

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20.32
XMAS X-MAZE

The Hunt for Christmas at Capital E!
You can get lost in Christmas with a visit to an amazing new interactive maze of Christmas fun at Capital E.
Using the special Xmaze clue pack, visitors are invited to have fun finding their way through this interactive maze, featuring a wish-tree forest, hall of mirrors, and glistening passages leading to art areas. There are fun activities for children including decorating cards, dress ups and making a glow-in-the-dark Christmas montage. The maze has been designed for Capital E by Wellington designers Debz Ruffel and Aaron Frater.
$2 per person.
Capital E, Civic Square, Wellington
http://www.cape.org.nz/whats_on/exhibitions_events/Xmaze.htm

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20.33
TLC ONLINE

The Learning Connexion’s regular newsletter is on-line at

http://www.tlc.ac.nz/newsletters/index.html

Check it out for new, opportunities, cultural commentary, and creative dialogue.

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20.34
AFFORDABLE ART UPDATE

The paint pots have been put away and the walls have been washed down. Time has flown by quickly and the New Year is knocking on our doorstep.
There were many success stories from our August show as we saw galleries scouting out new talent, artists selling work for their very first time and artists selling their entire work on exhibition. There were also many first time buyers and the hungry appetites of the art enthusiast got the ball rolling.
For a show enduring for only 3 days, this was amazing. We sold close to a quarter of the work that was showcased, which valued to nearly $400,000. We can confidently say that this was a complete success for artists, and it has made us all the more enthusiastic to make the next one a bigger success for artists and the Trust alike.
The Events Centre transformed itself from a sports centre to a busy, classy creative space. So much colour, so much talent, so many faces with expressions of wonder – all under one roof, all there for one reason – to support and appreciate the talent of New Zealand artists. People from all walks of life were able to embrace the talent and word spread far and wide. Over 5800 people attended the show and art was walking out the door, with over 800 pieces sold.
A big thank you to everyone that helped out and volunteered their time to support this initiative to help new and emerging artists in New Zealand.
Our sincerest appreciation to our funders and sponsors: Wellington City Council, The Community Trust of Wellington, Pub Charity, ASB, The NZ Community Trust and Unison Trust.
2005 New Zealand Affordable Art Show
The dates have been set for the 2nd New Zealand Affordable Art Show:
July 22nd , 23rd, 24th 2005
Gala Evening - July 21st 2005

http://www.affordableart.co.nz/

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20.35
THE NO.8 WIRE: PAST AND PRESENT

Archives of the No. 8 Wire are on-line at
www.arts.blogspot.com

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20.36
CONTACT THE NO.8 WIRE

To be removed from this email list…

To be added…

To submit contents, events, opportunities, or comments to contribute to…

Please send word to arts@wcc.govt.nz

Furthermore, send comments, questions, requests, etc to

Eric Vaughn Holowacz
Community Arts Co-ordinator
Wellington City Council / Wellington Arts Centre
P. O. Box 2199
Wellington, New Zealand
Arts@wcc.govt.nz

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20.37
PROSPERO’S PROJECT

And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell;
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands:
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer,
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.