The No.8 Wire - Issue 26

Gondwanaland Ministry of Culture
Artists' Information Bureau

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An Electronic Alert for 712 of Wellington's Creative People
Tail-end Octo-numerical Interview: MEL HAMILTON


PRELUDE

The application material for artist studio spaces in Wellington’s future arts centre is now ready. Doors are expected to open in mid-April, and interesting and dynamic things will grow from the two buildings in Abel Smith Street. The new Wellington Arts Centre, which doesn’t have an official name yet, will carry a heavy focus on support for emerging artists and on developing creative projects and collaborations. It will be shaped and re-shaped into a multi-faceted facility. It will support the relationship between artist and audience. It will explore new ways to harness the artistic process. It will welcome ideas, disciplines, and methods used to express our culture, our city, our world. Applications are welcome from this moment on. If interested in applying for an artist studio space, simply send an email message to artscentre@wcc.govt.nz then look for an information sheet and application form in your in-box.

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26.00
HERE COMES THE CARNIVAL

Don’t miss Wellington’s big bad day. Hit the streets tomorrow, and plant your feet firmly on Cuba Street. From 11:00am right on through to midnight. There will be a place, and a groove, for everyone…

http://www.cubacarnival.org.nz

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26.01
SAVING NEW ZEALAND FROM ITSELF
tino rangatiratanga

From "Instructions from the Secretary of State for War and Colonies, Lord Normanby, to Captain Hobson, recently appointed H.M. Consul at New Zealand, concerning his duty as Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand as a part of the Colony of New South Wales,” dated 14 August 1839…

... a very considerable Body of Her Majesty's subjects have already
established their residence and effected Settlements there, and that many persons in this Kingdom have formed themselves into a Society,
having for its object the acquisition of Land, and the removal of
Emigrants to those Islands.

Her Majesty's Government have watched these proceedings with attention and solicitude. We have not been insensible to the importance of New Zealand to the interests of Great Britain in Australia, nor unaware of the great natural resources by which that country is distinguished, or
that its geographical position must in seasons, either of peace or
war, enable it, in the hands of Civilised men to exercise a paramount influence in that quarter of the globe. There is probably no part of the earth in which Colonization could be effected with a greater or surer prospect of national advantage.

On the other hand, the Ministers of the Crown have been restrained by still higher motives from engaging in such an enterprise. They have deferred to the advice of the Committee appointed by the House of Commons in the year 1836, to enquire into the state of the Aborigines residing in the vicinity of our Colonial Settlements; and have concurred with that Committee in thinking that the increase of national wealth and power promised by the acquisition of New Zealand, would be a most inadequate compensation for the injury which must be inflicted on this Kingdom itself, by embarking in a measure essentially unjust, but too certainly fraught with calamity to a numerous and inoffensive people, whose title to the soil and to the Sovereignty of New Zealand is indisputable, and has been solemnly recognised by the British Govt. We retain these opinions in unimpaired force; and though circumstances entirely beyond our control have at length compelled us to alter our course, I do not scruple to avow that we depart from it with extreme reluctance ...

The necessity for the interposition of the Govt has however become too evident to admit of any further inaction. The reports which have reached this Office within the last few months establish the facts that, about the commencement of the year 1838, a Body of not less than two thousand British Subjects had become permanent inhabitants of New Zealand, that amongst them were many persons of bad or doubtful character - convicts who had fled from our penal Settlements, or Seamen who had deserted their Ships; and that these people, unrestrained by any Law, and amenable to no tribunals, were alternately the authors and the victims of every species of Crime and outrage. It further appears that extensive cessions of Land have been obtained from the Natives, and that several hundred persons have recently sailed from this Country to occupy and cultivate those Lands. The spirit of adventure having been thus effectually aroused, it can no longer be doubted that an extensive Settlement of British Subjects will be rapidly established in New Zealand; and that unless protected and restrained by necessary Laws and Institutions, they will repeat, unchecked, in that corner of the Globe, the same process of War and spoliation, under which uncivilised Tribes have almost invariably disappeared as often as they have been brought into the immediate vicinity of Emigrants from the Nations of Christendom. To mitigate, and, if possible, to avert these disasters, and to rescue the Emigrants themselves from a lawless state of Society, it has been resolved to adopt the most effective measures for establishing amongst them a settled form of Civil Govt. To accomplish this design is the principal object of your mission.

I have already stated that we acknowledge New Zealand as a Sovereign and independant State, so far at least as it is possible to make that acknowledgement in favour of a people composed of numerous, dispersed, and petty Tribes, who posses few political relations to each other, and are incompetent to act, or to even deliberate, in concert. But the admission of their rights, though inevitably qualified by this position, is binding on the faith of the British Crown. The Queen, in common with Her Majesty's immediate Predecessor, disclaims for herself and for her Subjects, every pretention to seize on the Islands of New Zealand, or to govern them as part of the Dominion of Great Britain, unless the free and intelligent consent of the Natives, expressed according to their established usages, shall be first obtained. Believing however that their own welfare would, under the circumstances I have mentioned, be best promoted by the surrender to Her Majesty of a right now so precarious and little more than nominal and persuaded that the benefits of British protection, and of Laws administered by British Judges would far more than compensate for the sacrifice by the Natives of a National independance which they are no longer able to maintain, Her Majesty's Govt have resolved to authorise you to treat with the Aborigines of New Zealand for the recognition of Her Majesty's Sovereign authority over the whole or any parts of those Islands which they may be willing to place under Her Majesty's Dominion. I am not unaware of the difficulty by Which such a Treaty may be encountered. The motives by which it is recommended are of course open to suspicion ...

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26.02
AFFORDABLE ART, TAKE TWO

All original, all New Zealand made, all under one roof …..

Calling all painters, sculptors, ceramic makers, glass workers, multi-media artists and any other people involved in creative pursuits, nationwide.

The Second New Zealand Affordable Art Show is coming soon. Registrations have just opened for any artist wanting to exhibit and sell their work in the mid-July show.

All artists are welcome to register regardless of whether they’ve exhibited before or not. Here’s the catch – all work has to be priced below $5000.

You have to register by May 1 2005.

To do so go to www.affordableart.co.nz and download a registration form or email / phone carla@affordableart.co.nz (04) 472 7652.

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26.03
STRATIFIED

Taki Rua Productions presents

Strata

Most original production of the year
Best New Director
Outstanding New Playwright

Strata
By Kirk Torrance / Directed by Tim Spite

Set in the late 1800¹s on the rugged West coast of the South Island, Strata tells the dark story of Angus and his simpleton brother Mo, two men digging for redemption 1000 feet under the earth¹s crust. The steadfast pair work diligently and at times frantically, but for different reasons. The ignorant Mo is misled by his brother, believing their back-breaking efforts will result in more pay and status amongst the miners. But unbeknownst to him, Angus has other shadowed motives for working himself and his brother to the brink of collapse - to reach the heart of the underworld in hopes of saving the soul of his unborn child. As they move further away from the rest of the mining pack and deeper into the earth the real secret begins to unravel.

Hamilton
7-9 March at 8pm
The Telecom Playhouse, Academy Performing Arts, University of Waikato Gate 2b Knighton Road Bookings 0800 38 35 2002

Palmerston North
12-14 March
8pm ­ 12th / 5pm ­ 13th / 6.30pm ­ 14th
Centrepoint Theatre
Cnr Church and Pitt Street
Bookings on (06) 354 5740

Upper Hutt
16-19 March ­ 8pm
Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre
836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt
(04) 527 2168

Hamilton and Palmerston North ticket prices: $30 Full / $26 Concession / $22 group Upper Hutt ticket prices are: $30 Full / $25 Concession / $12 students Bookings and Transaction fees may apply

A multi-award winning company, Taki Rua Productions boasts a high national profile with an ever-increasing international presence on the world stage. Annually between 20,000 and 30,000 people attended a production presented by Taki Rua Productions. Our kaupapa is to promote Mäori perspectives through the production of excellent theatre to communities throughout Aotearoa and the worldS

Taki Rua Productions
www.takirua.co.nz
Publicity + Marketing
(04) 236 0445

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26.04
LIGHT AND MAGIC

Frugal Pleasures
Free Outdoor Film Screening
Saturday 26
9.00pm

After a long hot day at the Cuba Street Carnival, come and relax under the stars in Civic Square and experience a dreamy and dramatic night of films by New Zealand artists.

The first half of the evening’s programme features films by a number of leading New Zealand artists including Len Lye, Violet Faigan and Veronica Vaevae. The second half of the programme celebrates the work of artist, poet and filmmaker Joanna Margaret Paul. One of New Zealand’s most prolific experimental filmmakers, Paul made over 30 films during the 1970s and early 80s.

A special feature of the evening will be the premiere performance of DELETE!’s soundtrack for Joanna Margaret Paul’s films. DELETE! is made up of well-known Wellington-based electronic musicians Jeffrey J. Henderson, Leila Adu and Craig Taylor. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the first performance of this work on a very special occasion.

RAIN DATE Sunday 27 February, 9pm

For more information, please contact:
Robyn Walker
Public Programmes Co-ordinator
City Gallery Wellington
801 3987
robyn.walker@wcc.govt.nz

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26.05
BEVERLY RHODES: HOME IS WHERE WE START FROM

Michael Hirschfeld Gallery at City Gallery Wellington
25 February – 3 April 2005
Free entry

Beverly Rhodes’ solo exhibition project at the Michael Hirschfeld Gallery draws on the body of work she developed for her recently-completed Master of Fine Arts degree at RMIT, Melbourne.

In ‘Home is where we start from’ Rhodes explores ideas about childhood, motherhood and the process of growing up and discovering oneself as an individual. Rhodes’ work is nostalgic without being sentimental, and has a strong aesthetic, with bold use of colour (particularly deep reds and clean whites) and texture, especially in her use of lacquer-like enamel paint and woollen fabrics.

‘Home is where we start from’ is made up of three components that when brought together reveal the connections between the states of childhood and motherhood as experienced over a lifetime by one person.

For one work, Rhodes has taken the kitchen shelving units she grew up with, and mixed them with other familiar objects, including chairs, drawers and a school desk, all of which she has swaddled and stitched into scarlet woollen fabric. Rhodes will panel the walls of the smaller exhibition space in the Michael Hirschfeld Gallery with lengths of scarlet-painted plywood and then arrange the fabric-wrapped objects within the space, creating an immersive environment full of evocative colours and textures.

In another work, a wall hanging is made up of fabric strips embroidered with the phrases ‘blood sweat tears’ and ‘you are my sunshine’. In a third installation, piles of freshly-laundered sheets are neatly lined up along the gallery wall. A video projection plays over the sheets, showing Rhodes and her daughter folding linen, turning this household chore into a graceful, choreographed performance.

Through the three installations, Rhodes transforms the Gallery into a meditative space for visitors to ponder and enjoy.

Beverly Rhodes is of Kai Tahu and Scottish descent and was born in Methven, Canterbury, in 1941. She has exhibited throughout New Zealand since the early 1990s and her work has been recently seen in the exhibitions BlanketStitch at Objectspace, Auckland, and The New Alchemists at the Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt.

Artist and curator’s floortalk – Thursday 3 March 2005, 5.30pm. All welcome

Designworks Enterprise IG are proud sponsors of the Michael Hirschfeld Gallery. Thanks also to Colourcraft; and Publication & Design, Wellington City Council. City Gallery Wellington is managed by the Wellington Museums Trust with major funding from the Wellington City Council.

Tel. 64 4 801 3959
Fax. 64 4 801 3096

www.city-gallery.org.nz

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26.06
CHICKS WITH GUNS!!
 
Wellington Players to Invade Auckland, Take No Prisoners, The Horror…
 
A.N.A.L* proudly presents the world-premiere 20-minute, all-female stage version of Apocalypse Now. Taking place at Silo Theatre, Auckland, at 11pm, Friday 4th March, this one-off late night show features chicks with guns, blood, smoke and horror!
 
Featuring Jo Randerson and Melanie Hamilton.
 
After the performance a forum will take place, titled: THE STATE OF NEW ZEALAND THEATRE.  We fully encourage participation in this un-chaired forum for all practitioners, observers and lovers/haters of NZ theatre.
 
WHAT: All female, stage version of Apocalypse Now
WHERE: Silo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
WHEN: 11pm, Friday 4th March, 2005
HOW MUCH: Koha
BOOKINGS: No bookings. Just turn up
WHAT ELSE:  Forum: The State of NZ Theatre, taking place immediately after performance
 
For further information email A.N.A.L @ mel@barbarian.co.nz
 
*Apocalypse Now Actors' League

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26.07
WHO ARE WE?

stories of identity
Soul Food 2005  - Te Haerenga
A Storytelling performance featuring:

Moira Wairama Tony Hopkins Mary-Alice Arthur Ralph Johnson with musician Michelle Scullion

Amusing, provocative, inspiring and delightful. A celebration of four
unique tellers who interweave their stories to share their journey of life.
Tuesday 1 March to Saturday 5 March at 7 pm
Sunday 6 March at 4:30 pm

Bookings  801-7992  or circa@circa.co.nz 
prices  $15/$12/$10 (fringe and group concession)
Plus Scary Sagas:  (special Fringe show for children)
As part of their Fringe show, Baggage Co-op are offering a number of matinees for school children Year 3 upward.  Featuring delightfully frightful tales from Maori, European, and Native American cultures. These must be pre-booked.

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26.08
IN HONOUR OF WORDS

Honouring Words: International Indigenous Authors Celebration Tour was initiated by Canadian writer and publisher Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm (Anishnaabe) in 2002 to promote and expose the work of Indigenous writers to a growing International audience.

The first tour was held in Canada in 2002 and the second tour was hosted by Australia in 2003. Te Ha - Contemporary Maori Writers committee of Toi Maori Aotearoa is thrilled to be able to host the third tour, and have put together a programme which includes literary events and visits to Wananga (Maori universities) marae, museums, libraries and schools throughout the North Island of New Zealand.

A group of nine exciting and innovative Indigenous writers and storytellers from Canada, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand will be on tour. They will bring readings and performances to venues throughout the North Island from the Tuna Café in Moerewa to Te Papa in Wellington.

An exciting lineup of events has been organized for the Wellington tour including a conversation between Thomas King from Canada and Wellington-based writer Patricia Grace. Thomas King is one of Canada’s most celebrated indigenous writers who is best known for his novels Truth and Bright Water (1999), Green Grass, Running Water (1993) and Medicine River (1990) and his famed CBS radio show, The Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour. Patricia Grace has just published her latest novel “Tu”. Join them at the National Library Auditorium on Friday 11 March.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear more of the Honouring Words writers at Te Papa Tongarewa, where they will be presenting a programme of poetry and reading and writing for plays and film on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March. Additional performances will also take place at Pataka Museum in Porirua on Saturday 12 March.

“We are honoured to have the presence of world renowned indigenous writers from Canada and Australia. Honouring Words celebrates indigenous literature as a unique and special voice to people the world over. The Honouring Words tour is a wonderful celebration of these writers’ achievements”. (Garry Nicholas, General Manager, Toi Maori Aotearoa)

HONOURING WORDS
WRITERS SHORT BIOGRAPHIES

AUSTRALIAN WRITERS

Kenny Laughton - novelist
Kenny was born in Alice Springs of Aboriginal descent. After successfully working both in community and government organisations, Kenny took up writing, often drawing on his experiences as a Vietnam veteran. Since then, he has published several works, including his bestseller novel ‘Not Quite Men No Longer Boys’ (1999). Kenny has subsequently been invited to several major Australian writers’ festivals as a participant and as a keynote speaker.

Jared Thomas - novelist, playwright
Jared Thomas is a Nukunu person of the Southern Flinders Ranges and upper Spencer Gulf who was born and raised in Port Augusta. He is currently employed as the Indigenous Arts Development Officer of Arts SA. His first play ‘Flash Red Ford’ toured Uganda and Kenya in 1999. His first novel ‘Sweet Guy’ was short listed for the 2002 Festival Awards for Literature.

Kerry Reed-Gilbert - poet
A Wiradjuri woman from central NSW, Kerry is well known in many different circles, as a professional businesswoman, writer, poet and photographer. Kerry has a comprehensive list of publications to her credit, including several collections of contemporary writings by Aboriginal writers she has compiled and edited.

CANADIAN WRITERS

Sharon Shorty - storyteller, playwright actor
Sharon Shorty was voted one of the “TOP 10 YUKONERS TO MEET” (Up Here magazine 1999) and is from the Tlingit, Northern Tutchone and Norwegian People. Sharon is from the Raven Clan and was raised with the storytelling tradition of her southern Yukon community. As a result, she strives to share stories in various genres.

Marilyn Dumont - poet
Marilyn Dumont is of Cree/Métis ancestry. Since 1985, Marilyn has been published in numerous Canadian literary journals, and her work has been widely anthologized as well as being broadcast on radio and television. She presently teaches English and Creative Writing and is working on a documentary about her family’s connection to Gabriel Dumont.

Thomas King - novelist, broadcaster
Thomas King is of Cherokee and Greek descent. Thomas is best known for his widely-acclaimed novels ‘Truth and Bright Water’ (1999), ‘Green Grass, Running Water’ (1993) and ‘Medicine River’ (1990), and for his CBC radio show, ‘The Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour.’ In 2003, he was the first Native North American to deliver Canada’s Prestigious Massey Lectures.

MAORI WRITERS

Robert Sullivan - poet
Robert Sullivan is of Nga Puhi, Kai Tahu and Galway Irish descent. Since 1990 he has written four books of poetry, a graphic novel, and an award winning children’s book. Robert is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, where he teaches Creative Writing and Pacific literature. He is currently working on a novel and a screenplay.

Joe Harawira - storyteller
Joe Harawira, (Ngati Maniapoto, Ngai te Rangi Ngati Awa) has developed a repertoire of stories for people young of age and young of spirit.  When he began teaching in primary schools, it was natural for him to use his talent to enliven stories from his own past; stories about the creation, the mischievous Maui, and how Rona became the woman on the moon.

Hinemoana Baker - poet, playwright, musician
Musician and writer Hinemoana Baker’s tribal connections range from the Otakou Peninsula to the Horowhenua and maunga Taranaki. Her non-Maori ancestors came from England, Bavaria and Holland. Hinemoana studied Maori as an adult and her writings reflect her passion for both English and Maori.

For Further information please contact Mere Boynton, Marketing Coordinator, Toi Maori Aotearoa. Ph 04 801 7914 Fax 04 801 9412 Email mere@maoriart.org.nz

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26.09
HUM DINGER

A LOW HUM is back. Just like disco.

This month sees two of the most difficult to pigeonhole bands in the country touring together.

The creation of Nick Harte, The Shocking Pinks live band takes upon many shapes and forms. Famous for their live shows being ground breakingly spectacular one moment and then insanely broken the next, they are the most mysterious band around. The current lineup of the Christchurch four piece is goddamn brilliant and totally un-missable. The second Shocking Pinks album “Mathematical Warfare” comes out through Flying Nun on Feb 28th, and this tour also doubles as the album release tour.

The chance that you could see The Shocking Pinks absolutely hit the disco nail on the head is reason alone that you do not miss this gig but make sure you bring your finest pair of strap on dancing shoes because otherwise co-headliners from Wellington, The Inkling will confuse your shoes right off your feet.

I used to just go to all their shows cause I felt so cool and sophisticated looking like a beatnik grooving to their warped jazz infused whatchamacallit in the tiny, smoky, packed rooms. Now I realize that The Inkling are basically the bees knees and that even in large, non-smoky, packed rooms they still make pop rockers look like chumps. Their debut album is due out through the increasingly ace label Capital Recordings in April, see them before it comes out and you’ll be too cool for school.

This is a lineup not to be trifled with. If you enjoy getting your dance on and if you seriously want to see the two New Zealand bands that every overseas magazine this year is going to be champing at the bit over, then don’t miss this gig.

A LOW HUM and Jack Daniels present
The Shocking Pinks and The Inkling with guests
Thu 17th - Wellington, Happy
Fri 18th - Palmerston North, 85 Broadway
Sat 19th - Auckland, Edens Bar
Sun 20th - Leigh, Sawmill Café
Thu 24th - Nelson, Hot Momma's
Fri 25th - Christchurch, Creation
Sat 26th - Dunedin, Arc Café
Sun 27th - Queenstown, Dux De Lux

The #16/CD 8 “The” issue of A LOW HUM is absolutely choice as well. With a stunning “The” compilation that features tracks from The Mint Chicks, The Fucking Am, The Dukes of Leisure, The Demi-Whores, The Users, The Shocking Pinks, The Inkling, The Lahars and The Sentimental Plastic. As always, free with entry.

Thank God for Jack Daniels for making this actually happen and not just be a figment of my imagination, and respect to RDU, R1, Active, FleetFM, The Package and The Fix for making it happen in style.

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26.10

BUILDING ENCYCLOPAEDIC KNOWLEDGE

http://www.teara.govt.nz/

and looking back

http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/en

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26.11
HOT 

New works by Paul Forrest
Daily from 10am - 5pm  this Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th February
@ The Studio (upstairs at 146 Riddford Street in Newtown)
 
Come and chillout in a working artist studio right in the heart of Newtown.
On show are hot new oil paintings by well known Wellington artist Paul Forrest. The works on show are human and abstract forms posing deliciously whilst being bathed in rich sensual red light. Stroll on upstairs and be delighted.The kettle's on.
 
To preview the exhibition and have a virtual tour go to www.paulforrest.co.nz
 
A/H ph. Paul @ The Studio 934 3409 or e-mail paul@paulforrest.co.nz


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26.12


Feb 25 2005 - May 1 2005

DESTINY DEACON: WALK AND DON’T LOOK BLAK and LISA REIHANA: NEW WORK
Destiny Deacon: walk and don’t look blak is the first major survey exhibition of this leading indigenous Australian artist whose wicked humour and potent politics have engaged audiences internationally.
The exhibition, organised by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Sydney, focuses on the past fourteen years of this artist's career and includes some of her most important photographic, video, performance and installation works.
As an artist Deacon draws widely from urban culture and personal experience, inventively using what she describes as ‘low tech’ and ‘low budget’ tools and techniques. Deacon’s work addresses social and political issues with wit and intelligence, often making use of her extensive collection of kitsch souvenirs, knick-knacks and black ‘dollies’ - popular in Australia in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. These works engage with indigenous and gender issues that are not only specific to Australia but also have international relevance.
Deacon’s artwork has featured in a number of major international exhibitions including the Fifth Havana Biennial (1994); the First Johannesburg Biennale (1995); Second Asia Pacific Triennial (1996); and the Yokohama Triennial (2001). Significantly, Deacon was the only Australian artist invited to participate in Documenta 11 (2000) in Kassel, Germany.
LISA REIHANA: NEW WORK
Having gained international acclaim in the exhibition Paradise Now? in New York, the Adam Art Gallery has invited New Zealand artist, Lisa Reihana to create a new body of photographic based works for an exhibition that will run concurrently with Destiny Deacon: walk and don’t look blak at the Adam Art Gallery.
As two leading female indigenous artists, Reihana and Deacon have been working alongside one another over the past decade and in many ways Reihana and Deacon's practices have run parallel. Both artists use multi-media to explore issues relating to history, indigenity and gender, which each artist does with incisive humour and wit. Given their close association, Reihana was invited to contribute towards the catalogue that accompanies Destiny Deacon: walk and don’t look blak.
Reihana’s dynamic multi-media installations explore the diverse ways in which indigenous identity is constructed and represented in a bi-cultural context. In previous works, such as ‘Native Portraits’ (1999), Reihana used artifice and role-play to discuss issues of identity and visual representation. More recently, in works such as ‘Digital Marae’ (2001), Reihana presented digitally manipulated interpretations of Maori female ancestor figures in a series of large-scale, glossy, colour photographs that have attracted international attention.
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/adamartgal/

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26.13
FRONT AND CENTRE

This Sunday on Frontseat, 10.25pm - Oscar, Taika, Grayson & Kerry
Two Cars, One Night: Taika Waititi's multi award-winning short film is one of the five nominees for Live Action Short Film in the 77th Annual Academy Awards. Watch the sweet story of blossoming love in a pub carpark in full on this episode of Frontseat, before the Oscars screen on Monday 28th NZT. Find out more at www.oscar.com
Cultural Capital or Developer's Paradise?: Two popular artists' communities have met their demise in the Capital - including the one that nurtured Taika Waititi, and producer Ainsley Gardiner's film company. Jeremy Hansen tours the new, unnamed Wellington arts centre and presses Mayor Kerry Prendergast about how she's going to keep the Capital "creative" in the face of continuing economic growth.
Grayson Perry: Oliver Driver meets the 2003 Turner Prize winner who's in town for Auckland Art Gallery's "Mixed Up Childhood" exhibition as part of AK05. Find out more at www.graysonperry.co.uk
PLUS!!!!! We're conducting an investigation into New Zealand's ugliest buildings. Send us an email saying which building you hate and why and better still, send a photo of it. Email jeremy@frontseat.co.nz

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26.14
MONEY, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR…

Free Funding Advice

Setting up or seeking funds for a community, recreation or arts group?
Looking for new ways of accessing resources? Come to a FREE “Funding Access Roadshow” to find out more.

16 March, 11.30-3.30pm & 5-7pm
Indian Cultural Centre, Kemp Street,
Kilbirnie
Wellington

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26.15
C’MON GET HAPPY

FRIDAY 25th Feb
7.30pm   FACTORY OF DREAMS
 
10pm ASCENSION BAND
THe Ascension band features the likely likeable likes of David Edwards, Nigel Patterson, Myles Climo and a bunch of other musical adventurers!
 
MIDNIGHT 12am!
MIKE COOPER performs a live soundtrack to the wonderful films of the BROTHERS QUAY! An excellent way to spend the midnight hour
 
Sat 26th Feb
10pm
DEL (Norway)
BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL
C.M
MIKE COOPER
New noise from NORWAY a great night of BIG music
 
and on sat also check out
 
9pm DELETE! perform a live soundtrack to the experimental films of JOANNA MARGARET PAUL at Civic Square.....presented by the CITY GALLERY and also featuring films by LEN LYE and others.
 
3.30pm DEL (Norway) with DELETE!, MIKE COOPER, BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL and ANTHONY MILTON all on the same stage at the CUBA STREET CARNIVAL
 
1.30pm FOOD! We Want To Eat You! at the Cuba Street Carnival
 
10am - 1pm CAFFEINE AND ASPIRIN RadioActive 89FM hosted by Jeffrey J Henderson and featuring Mike Cooper, DEL and some cool new music.
 
Sunday 27th
 
SABOT (Czech) 8.30pm
THe great bass and drums duo from Europe return to the Happy stage...if you missed them the first time round don't make the same twice mistake twice...they are cool! instrumental funkpunk
 
and Tues March 1st
ORGANIC PRODUCE....weekly improvised music night
 
Wed 2nd
COLIN BLACK (Austral;ia) Sound artist
JOE CALLWOOD QUINTET
 
and coming this year......ANTHONY PATERAS / SEAN BAXTER / DAVE BROWN (Aus), Guy Capper, Leila Adu album launch, TREVOR WATTS / JAMIE HARRIS (UK), JIM DENLEY (Aus) and many of your favourite NZ acts including FOOD, THEBIS MUTANTE,  MARK LOCKETT...and more
 
Happy
underground, corner Vivian and Tory Streets
Wellington
384 1965
www.happy.net.nz

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26.16
BABY PROMS

A CONCERT ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Michael Fowler Centre
Sunday 13 March 3.00pm

NGC Wellington Sinfonia, conducted by Owen Clarke, is out to give children, toddlers and even adults a real treat!

In this Baby Proms TM concert children don’t have to sit quietly and listen.

They can jump and bounce, sing and play … even conduct Wellington’s orchestra as they play lots of fun music like Incy Wincy Spider, I’m a Little Teapot, Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Buzz, and more… The children can even walk amongst the 54 players in the NGC Wellington Sinfonia and see the instruments close up!

Baby Proms is a classically based music show that invites everyone to join in. Conceived and hosted by Jennifer Moss of Palmerston North for
2-7 year olds, it has already been a huge hit in Auckland.

Come and enjoy sharing this fun and energetic concert with your small folk.

Sunday 13 March 3pm
Michael Fowler Centre
Age: 2-7 year olds
Duration: 60 mins
Children $6 Adults $12
Book at Ticketek (transaction fee will apply)

For further information please contact:
Dawn Sanders, Marketing Manager, NGC Wellington Sinfonia

P: (04) 476 8369 or 027 283 6016 E: Action-Sanders@xtra.co.nz

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26.17
The Untitled Niki Caro Project

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/entertainment/10915815.htm

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26.18
PULP CULTURE FORUM

http://www.pulpexpo.com/

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26.19
WELLINGTON’S CAFFEINATED HISTORY

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/mph/cafe/

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26.20
FRINGE BENEFITS

www.fringe.org.nz

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26.21
RESONATE 05

A stellar list of top UK talent will be in New Zealand for a four day music forum at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki Auditorium and the New Zealand Film Archive Mediaplex Wellington, from March 2nd- - 5th 2005.

 Events will feature a series of speakers and sessions in a programme designed to educate, enlighten and explore the similarities and differences between creative disciplines in the UK and New Zealand. With a variety of guests that include Conor Mc Nicholas (Editor NME) Polly Birkbeck (International Press, V2 Records) James Roberts (A&R Editor Music Week) and Rachel Hendry (Publicist- Darling Dept UK) make sure you don’t miss the chance to find out what is happening in the UK and NZ music scene.

On Wednesday March 2nd, this line up will hit the streets of the capital and offer a plenary session entitled ‘Music Business’ hosted by Gemma Gracewood between 12.30pm-4.00pm in Wellington at

The New Zealand Film Archive
Nga Kaitiaki O Nga Taonga Whitiahua
MediaPlex
Cnr Ghuznee and Taranaki Streets
Wellington
New Zealand

tel 64-4-384 7647
fax 64-4-382 9595

info@nzfa.org.nz
www.filmarchive.org.nz

Topics covered will include the ‘Indie Roar’ phenomenon- the rise of the independent label.  How to get your artist or band noticed in the UK/NZ? Is it valuable to have your own publicist before you get signed and how far can they get you? Do you want to be signed to a major ? How does independent PR fit into the traditional “PR” process of a label representing a band to the media. Is the Music Business really under threat? And how will digital really affect the physical side of the industry?

Jodie Molloy, Arts Manager of the British Council New Zealand states “We’re thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity in Wellington. It ‘s great when UK guests can see the length and breadth of the country’s talent and the high calibre of industry professionals we have working in the music industry.  Wellington has a particularly impressive music scene, and all of our guests are hoping to check out the fine reputation that Wellington has to offer.

This is your chance to be see, hear, and question some of the most influential industry professionals working in the United Kingdom. 

This is a free of charge event, so RSVP is essential. Please forward your interest to resonate05@ihug.co.nz

For any questions. Please contact Charlotte.Griffin on 
Charlotte.griffin@britishcouncil.org.nz

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26.22
ENJOY THE HUNT

Hunt
Karen Adams, Sonia Bruce, Gabrielle McDonnell and Angela Meyer
Curated By Angela Meyer
Through March 4

After a busy and exciting period of travel and the staging of a series of highly successful art exhibitions and events overseas, Angela Meyer returns to New Zealand bringing with her an exhibition of work by four female artists from here and abroad. Hunt draws on several of the tenets of the Arte Povera style; displaying open-ended experimentation towards materials and processes and scepticism towards overly intellectualised concepts, completed with a light, delicate and human touch.
Visitors to the gallery will be greeted with the sound of dogs barking in a work by Gabrielle McDonnell, view the photography of 'new topographer' Karen Adams, be immersed in an installation incorporating the seemingly mundane product of A4 computer paper, transformed by Sonia Bruce into something spectacular and be dazzled as Angela Meyer puts 20,000 drawing pins to imaginative uses. Playing with the fun and the ephemeral, Hunt promises to be an elegant and seductive experience.
  
Enjoy Public Art Gallery
Level one, 174 Cuba Street
Wellington
 
P: 04 384 0174
E: enjoy@enjoy.org.nz
W: www.enjoy.org.nz

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26.23
ISLAND RESIDENCY

Creative New Zealand and Fulbright New Zealand are calling for applications to their residency for New Zealand writers of Pacific Islands heritage, based at the Centre for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawaii for three months from late August 2005.

The 2005 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writers’ Residency at the University of Hawaii is open to Pacific writers across all genres, including playwrights, fiction and non-fiction writers, poets and screen writers. The residency includes return airfares, accommodation costs and an artist stipend of NZ$6000 per month.

Hawaii is a hub for Pacific writing and has become a well-established centre for publishing the work of Pacific peoples. It is also an important link to mainland United States and has a flourishing indigenous culture.

Filmmaker Sima Urale was the inaugural recipient of last year’s Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writers’ Residency. Now back in Wellington, she says she “absolutely loved the whole experience”.

“I completed a draft of my film script with major breakthroughs in character and story development,” Urale says. “I also spent a lot of time talking to communities, who are hungry to tell traditional and contemporary local stories. One of the highlights was working with a group of school kids and getting them to make their own movies.”

The recipient of the 2005 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writers’ Residency at the University of Hawaii will have had work published or accepted for publication. In the case of scriptwriters or playwrights, he or she will have had work performed or accepted for performance.

The recipient will be expected to work on an approved project during this time and contribute to other opportunities provided by the residency. There will also be an opportunity for professional development, including invitations to give lectures and interviews, make contact with suitable agents and publishers, and enhance the development of New Zealand Pacific literature.

On return from Hawaii, the recipient will be expected to have completed a significant amount of writing. The recipient will also be required to write a report, demonstrating the residency’s tangible benefits to New Zealand Pacific literature.

Applications close at 5pm Friday, 1 April 2005. For more details and application forms, please contact Anton Carter, Arts Adviser, Pacific Islands Arts, Creative New Zealand (Tel: 04-498 0729 Email: antonc@creativenz.govt.nz) or Peggy Tramposch, Programme Manager, Senior Scholar programme, Fulbright New Zealand (Tel: 04-494 1507 Email: peggy@fulbright.org.nz). You can also visit the Fulbright New Zealand website (www.fulbright.org.nz) for more information and application forms.

For further information, please contact:
Ann Thomson at Fulbright New Zealand
Tel: 04-472 2065 Email: ann@fulbright.org.nz

Undine Marshfield at Creative New Zealand
Tel: 04-498 0725 Email: undinem@creativenz.govt.nz Mobile: 025-965 925

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26.24
COME TO THE CABARET

ROADWORKS (A RED MOLE PRODUCTION)

Presents

CABARET OF THE UNLIKELY


At BATS THEATRE, 1 Kent Tce
Wellington
Tuesday – Saturday, 8th – 12th March at 7pm
Booking Through Bats (04) 802 4175

Following on from their two successful productions in 2004, Unbearable Journeys and The (Un)Known Island, Roadworks has been invited by Bats Theatre to present their latest work, Cabaret of the Unlikely.

With a combination of company members and special guests, this cabaret promises to be packed with surprises. Featuring puppets, masks, musicians and performance artists, you must expect the unexpected. From Roadworks’ top hits from the past to acts unknown and untested, the cabaret is a montage of unusual performance events directed by Sally Rodwell.

Guests joining Roadworks during the Cabaret of the Unlikely season include musicians Chris Palmer, Jeff Henderson, Johnny Marks, Leila Adu, Craig Taylor, vocalist Kate Telford and puppeteer Carlos Wedde.

The Capital Times called Unbearable Journeys – “A stunning piece of theatre.”

Jennifer Shennan in the DominionPost wrote: “In chant and dance, through “foreign” accents, with flashed fragments of maps and boundaries marked by ropes, with sinister masks and quarrelling puppets, with minimal props and lashings of imagination, the hour-long unbroken show is impeccably staged.”

Of The Un(Known) Island John Smythe in The National Business Review wrote: “It remains an important facet of freedom that such conscientious writers and performers may create such theatre events…”

Roadworks continues to explore text, performance and visual imagery in this their latest work.

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26.25
OPENING UP THE STUDIO

Visual Tourist Weekend
Open Studio Tours of Wellington’s Artists

Fringe NZ is proud to present the Visual Tourist Weekend, a feature event in its third year running. The support from both artists and public alike has grown with each year and 2005 promises to be no exception.
Visual Tourist 04 saw 47 studios take part in the project, with over 60 artists welcoming the public into their working environments.
Over 1,200 people took part in the tour and as a direct result of this exposure many artists were offered gallery representation and have reported that positive spin-offs are continuing.
VENUE Wellington Artists’ Studios
DATE 26 - 27 February
TIME 11.00am – 4.00pm

A word of thanks to Arlo Edwards, Iva Lenard, Sarah Brueckner, and Noah Butcher. Your work, and efforts, are peerless.

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26.26
WOW FACTOR

Enter the 2005 Wearable Art Awards

http://www.worldofwearableart.com/designers.html

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26.27
MAORI ARTS SUPPORT

Applications are now open for Te Waka Toi Scholarships and close on 31 March 2005.
 
Three scholarships, worth $2500 each, are available for post secondary school Mäori students learning in fields of Mäori arts, or arts related areas like curating, art history, or performing arts production.
 
Application forms can be downloaded from Creative New Zealand’s link, here

http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/resources/forms-guidelines/TWT-scholarships.pdf

or by contacting Aroha Tanirau on 04 498 0746 or arohat@creativenz.govt.nz
 
Te Waka Toi Chair Elizabeth Ellis says the scholarship programme is a way of supporting the future of a strong and vibrant M?ori arts sector by investing in tauira.
 
“We are able to offer financial support to exceptional students as well as recognition of their talent at a critical stage in their careers.”
 
Two previous scholarship recipients, Nigel Borrell and Aimee Ratana, are featured currently in the exhibition, P?-Tiki is, now on at Wellington’s Tinakori Gallery (until 26 February).

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26.28
I ONCE WON THE TURNER PRIZE

Saturday - 26 February 1.30pm at City Gallery Wellington

Grayson Perry winner of the 2003 Turner Prize will give an illustrated lecture in the City Gallery Wellington cinema. Taking as a starting point the first piece of pottery he made – an ashtray for his mother, aged eight – Perry’s talk finishes with a map of his mind that he made last year.

Perry says ‘A lot of my work has always had a guerrilla tactic, a stealth tactic. I want to make something that lives with the eye as a beautiful piece of art, but on closer inspection, a polemic or an ideology will come out of it’.

Guardian Interview

Perry is best known for his ceramic works, classically-shaped vases with deceptively colourful and decorative surfaces. On closer examination Perry’s pots offer up their darker imagery: memories of rural decay, autobiographical references (including depictions of Claire, his transvestite alter ego), symbols of masculine stereotypes, cutting commentary on the banality of society and references to political events.

In a 1999 vase titled ‘Boring Cool People’ (1999), for example, Perry poked fun at the art world, peopling the blue background of the vase with all-white, blank-eyed figures. A vase from 2000, ‘We’ve Found the Body of your Child’, is decorated with scenes of grief and death, and deals with both paedophilia and the dangers of child abuse within the home. In addition to his pottery, Perry also works in embroidery and photography, and merges his private female persona with his artwork in performances as Claire.

Grayson Perry is in New Zealand to take part in the Auckland Art Gallery exhibition ‘Mixed-Up Childhood – an exhibition for grownups’ (Auckland Art Gallery, 24 February – 22 May). He appears courtesy of the British Council New Zealand and Auckland Art Gallery.

For more information about Grayson Perry, visit the Tate Turner Prize website: http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize/2003/,

or Perry's website:

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26.29
INTRIGUING DECOMPOSITION

ART EXHIBITION:
David C Boyle- "Intriguing Entities"
Peter Marment- "Urban Decomposition"

WHERE: ROAR! gallery, 22 Vivian St, Wellington

WHEN: 24th February- 20th March

David C Boyle- "Intriguing Entities"

David predominantly works in oil with the main objective being to create works with an escapist and humorous outlook. He states, "I use surrealism and colour to inspire."

David's comment on his Bolted Books; "These books are bolted shut for censorship and political correctness! Some are bolted forever to preserve themes and memories we hold dear. A few are very firmly closed because they are exquisitely awful and dreadfully diabolical.
Young "Screenagers" have bolted shut these treasures for love of electronic stimuli. Some things we wish forgotten. The books are at the end of their many colourful travels are now preserved forever in this delicious art form!"

Peter Marment- "Urban Decomposition"

Peter is an architecture student as well as a part-time artist. He has been experimenting with stencil art for three years and has developed an interest in the rapid development of cities and urban culture, which he expresses within his work.

This exhibition explores the use of iconic stencils on a variety of media, including steel, plywood and tin.

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26.30
FUSION NOW
 
Mixed-Media Exhibition
Through 7 March 2005, 10am-4pm
Mezzo-space, 1st floor, Wellington Public Library
 
Fuse, a collection of work from twelve Wellington based artists.
 
Fuse is an exciting and diverse exhibition that combines the work of twelve Wellington based artists in a fusion of narratives, materials and personalities.
 
This collaborative exhibition features a range of 2D and 3D art works, including collage, assemblage, textiles, photography, mixed-media and, sculpture.
 
Contributing Artists:
Catherine Townsend
Joanne Donaldson
Deidra Sullivan
Carla Nicolson
Brittany Johnson
Melissa Wyman
Mica Still
Sophie Saunders
Anita Weber
Frankie Rouse
Carolyn Stephens
Laurel L. Barr
 
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26.31
MONEY FOR THE ARTS

Arts & Culture and Creative Communities Grants Due by end of April

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/grants/index.html

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26.32
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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26.33
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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THE NO. 8 WIRE INTERVIEW CONTINUES

The Octo-numerical Query
The No. 8 Wire poses a batch of questions.
A creative person answers.
http://www.octonumerical.blogspot.com/


MEL HAMILTON

What cities/towns have you lived in (or spent more than a few months in), beginning with your place of birth.
Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch, Rangiora, Wellington, Auckland, Iowa

What are the earliest stories you remember hearing?
Bible stories and Dr Seuss.

What music was present and still memorable from your youth/adolescence?
David Bowie, Kiss.

For you as a creative person, who are three influential artists or thinkers?
Shona Dunlop McTavish (NZ dancer), Andy Kaufman (US song and dance man), Edward W. Said (American Palestinian) 

What is your dream of happiness?
Working doing what I love, being able to travel, always meeting new people.

Who are your favourite or most admired figures from history?
Michael King, Isadora Duncan, Suzanne Aubert, Jesus Christ, Poul Gnatt.

Name three films that you consider profound, moving, or extraordinary.
Punitive Damage, Gaylene Preston; Festen, Thomas Vinterberg;Rabbit Proof Fence, Philip Noyce.

What was your first real job? second? third?
Dancer, Producer, Performer, Writer.  The rest weren't real.

If you had to eat the same meal every day, what would it be?
Tomatoes and avocados.

Name a few books that you couldn't put down, would read again, haunt you still.
Pieces of Music & The Blind Impress, Michael Jackson (the NZ-born one); The Bone People, Keri Hulme; Long Walk To Freedom, Nelson Mandela; One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Out of Place by Edward W. Said.

What have you done, seen, experienced, or produced that was a disappointment to you?
Endless surveys and coloured brochures on the state of New Zealand art.

What was the most recent live performance you attended, and where was it presented?
Box, at the White Room, Lukes Lane, Wgtn.

In one sentence, can you define art?
No.

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring artist in your field?
Do whatever you want.

Where would you like to live, but have yet to?
Germany / Belgium / South America.

What would you like to do, but have yet to?
Sing onstage.

Briefly describe a project you are planning for the future.
A travelling outdoor show - a gigantic mix of theatre, amateur dramatics, circus, carnival, dance, music and song.  Destined to premiere later in the year.

What one question would you add to this Query?
Have you travelled much?

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Melanie Hamilton is Artistic Producer of Barbarian Productions, a theatre company founded by Jo Randerson. She is also a performer and writer, and graduate of NZ School of Dance.

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He iwi tahi tatou