CULTURE CLUB

It’s up to us

Liam Stretch Culture Editor

In my last editorial, I described 2022 as a ‘year of culture’ with the hopes that artists and creatives would take back to the stages, microphones, and soapboxes throughout the city. I certainly didn’t predict that our country would be in the red two days after sending our February issue to print. With this changing of the proverbial traffic signal, many events I promoted have now been cancelled or postponed until a time of certainty – when that is, nobody knows. So, this month’s Culture Club listings look slightly different, but one of them (Boosted) is a vital lifeline to many of the people who make us laugh, dance, sing, and sometimes cry. I encourage you to check it out. Many are performing smaller gigs, and their work is still available online. It’s up to us to keep these people bringing colour to our lives. Aside from that, I’ve reviewed a film to make you proud of the potential of humanity, a perfectly distracting podcast, and an impeccably made television series – not for the faint of heart. A WORLD-FIRST ELEVEN

In what seems like a lifetime ago, in 2018, there was a daring rescue deep in a Thai cave. A football team and their coach were stuck in the cave network during a monsoon, and conditions were only getting worse. The Rescue, available to stream on Disney+, follows the journey of several hobbyist divers and how they had the weight of the world on their shoulders as they undertook one of the most complicated rescue operations in modern history. Your faith in humanity will be restored, but you’ll also cry. THREE MEN IN A PODCAST

If you’re in as much need of an escape as I am, then I wholeheartedly recommend SmartLess. A holy trinity of comic actors, Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, take a refreshing approach to an interviewstyle podcast. In revealing conversations, they chat with everyone from actress Sandra Bullock to filmmaker Michael Moore to United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. It’s not too heavy, light on the politics, and informative – all the while being fun and entertaining.

THE ‘BEAUTIFUL’ GAME

One of the latest series to drop on Neon is Yellowjackets. This Showtime psychological drama is one hell of a watch. It’s oh-so-clever in its unfolding story and in the way it dashes back in forth from the origin event through to the mysterious events taking place in current times. It dips into the horror genre, with some scenes that will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing at attention. Have no fear, the ‘scary’ bits are mellowed by well placed black humour. Our own Melanie Lynskey is a standout performer with her expert ability to convey emotion in the most subtle of ways.

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BOOSTED

Boosted is a crowd-funding platform dedicated to supporting the arts in Aotearoa New Zealand. Since it launched in 2013, the organisation has helped over 1,000 artistic people raise a combined $8 million for their projects, nationwide. Not only does it provide support to those wishing to get projects greenlit, but it has also proved invaluable in times of creative crisis, like changing Covid-19 alert levels. You’ll find a range of artists’ campaigns on the platform where you can pledge your support. Boost them if you don’t want to imagine a world without your favourite creatives.

boosted.org.nz

SOLIDARITY GRID

You’ve almost certainly driven past these lampposts, but you may not know their significance. Solidarity Grid by German artist Mischa Kuball found its unique home along Park Terrace. It is based on the act of giving and the positive symbolism of light and is made up of 21 streetlamps from 21 cities around the world that donated a lamp in solidarity with Christchurch as it embarked on its rebuild.

Park Terrace scapepublicart.org.nz

FLARE

Flare is a celebration of street art. This inaugural event, which will be annual, will bring street artists from across New Zealand to the central city, where they will unleash their creativity. The headlining artists include Elliot Francis Stewart, Ikarus DTR, Kell Sunshine, Kophie aka Meep, Koryu, SwiftMantis, and Wongi. There will be a number of activations and installations, walking tours, and discussions. 2–12 March, SALT District flare.nz

MYTHS AND MORTALS

The ancient world’s monstrous, mighty, and mythical characters are on the loose in the latest exhibition at the University of Canterbury Teece Museum! Myths and Mortals features a collection of fascinating objects from marble sculptures and elaborate vases to jewellery and armour. The artefacts tell the tales of times gone by, epic myths, the rise and fall of empires, war, and sport. Teece Museum, Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora teecemuseum.nz

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