ARTS & CULTURE

FOUNTAIN – DIGITAL ART THAT’S WORTH COLLECTING

New global platform for digital art with a difference launched in New Zealand.

After the hype and crash cycle of NFTs, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s probably the worst time possible to launch a new platform for digital art. Yet that’s exactly what two New Zealand entrepreneurs have just launched to a global market. But this one is quite different.

Digital product designer Nicholas Henwood and gallerist Scott Lawrie have come together to launch Fountain – a new online gallery that focuses on digital art from internationally established artists who already have considerable reputations way beyond the relatively new NFT hype. So, while you won't see apes on motorbikes on there anytime soon, you will see some fabulous examples of cutting-edge digital art.

“Digital art is now entering a whole new era of possibilities,” says Fountain Curator Scott Lawrie. “With the advent of virtual reality, augmented reality, the metaverse and new tech, its time has come. It can no longer be ignored.”

Fountain avoids the NFT hype by simply using the blockchain as a verification method, so the digital artworks can have clear and simple provenance. Until now, proving ownership of a digital work of art that is infinitely replicable, has been quite tricky.

“We factored into our business plan a year ago a 90% crash in cryptocurrency. And we just didn't believe in the cultural value of the NFTs that had been attracting ridiculously high prices. Instead, we focused on artists who had considerable reputations in digital art already,” explains Henwood.

Then there are the environmental factors. The energy used by blockchains powered by Ethereum and Bitcoin for example, is ridiculously high. Without getting too technical, the verification methods they use are incredibly power-hungry. Fountain chose to build the platform on Tezos instead given it has tiny energy usage by comparison (about 1.5m times more energy efficient!)

“One of the things that Nic Henwood (the other co-founder) and I got excited about was the accessibility aspect – that Fountain could sell digital art to established collectors, for example as a unique edition at a high price – but also to new collectors who could buy a bigger edition for a far lower price. This gives them equity in contemporary art, and I love that. That to me is a fundamental point of difference and blows up the traditional art world focus on rarity,” says Lawrie.

Fountain launches globally with contemporary artist Hye Rim Lee. “It’s a fantastic meeting of minds” explains Nic. “I have a far more technical and product-driven user experience skillset. And Scott brings an experienced eye from the art world to choose the artist we feature, many of whom are already stars in their own right.”

The artist Fountain has chosen for launch is particularly exciting for the duo – international superstar Hye Rim Lee. Lawrie says she stands apart from her contemporary artist peers, ‘Not only for her dedication to digital art, but also for her commitment to exploring the interface between art, technology, and new forms of visual expression. She is one of the leading digital artists in the world today, and we’re honoured to have her on the platform as our launch artist’.

You can see more at fountain.art

Telly Tuita, War in Spring, 1060x1350mm, digital print on cotton rag paper, 2022

@ BERGMAN GALLERY

Bergman Gallery extends its brand of Modern Pacific Art from Rarotonga to the edge of Ponsonby.

Opening exhibition Te Atuitanga – Beneath our Cloak of Stars, 25 June - 16 July. The Gallery’s inaugural Auckland group show will feature new works by Mahiriki Tangaroa, Andy Leleisi’uao, Sylvia Marsters, Telly Tuita, Nina Oberg Humphries, Benjamin Work, Raymond Saga polutele, Michel Tuffery, and Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka.

Telly Tuita – Tongpop Cornucopia, 23 July – 20 August. Tongan-born Wellington-based artist Telly Tuita presents a suite of works and objects abundant in sexy, camp, and upcycled handmade aesthetic. A little bit country, a little bit rock n roll! A sprinkle of Maria Callas and a generous dash of Dolly Parton. Opening 2:30-5pm, Saturday 23 July, all welcome.

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am - 5:30pm.

IGNITING CREATIVITY THOUGH DRAMA

Hit the Stage! these school holidays.

Tim Bray Youth Theatre is offering their ever popular Hit the Stage! 5-day holiday programme for children aged 7-9 at TAPAC in Western Springs from 18-22 July (and for ages 7-9 and 10 -12 at The Rose Centre in Belmont from 11-15 July.)

During five exciting days, under the direction of the Tim Bray Youth Theatre creative team, young actors take part in rehearsing and performing their own unique theatrical creation, ready to ‘Hit the Stage!’ at the end of the week with a performance for family and friends.

Extraordinarily Creative drama classes at Te Oro in Glen Innes are for autistic and neurodivergent children and teens, and allow students to grow and shine in their own time and space in the spirit of Takiwatanga.

“My daughter is loving her Extraordinarily Creative drama sessions! They are carefully run by caring staff who provide a safe space where she can be herself and have fun with her peers.” Nicole B., EC parent of 12-year-old, March 2022.

Tim Bray Youth Theatre will run taster July holiday programmes for autistic and neurodivergent students interested in trialling the Extraordinarily Creative Term 3 drama classes.

Tim Bray Youth Theatre’s Term 3 weekly drama classes for 5-16 yrs begin the week of 25 July at TAPAC and enrolments are open now. Classes are also offered on the North Shore at three venues which continue to engage the students’ creativity, selfconfidence and self-expression through drama techniques.

For more information: www.timbray.org.nz/youth-theatre, T: 09 486 2261, E: youth.theatre@timbray.org.nz

DRAMADRAMA WeeklyWeekly TIM BRAY

YOUTH THEATRE

Western Springs, Takapuna, Browns Bay 5–16 years Our tutors fire young imaginations and ignite the creative minds of tomorrow Western Springs A 5-day creative escape for ages 7-9 from 18-22 July

Glen Innes and North Shore 5–16yrs For autistic and neurodivergent youth to find their own voice and place

ARTS + CULTURE ST MATTHEW’S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA LIVE

Diary Date: Sunday 24 July 2.30pm Conductor: Michael Joel Soloist: Diedre Irons

Programme Taylor Silk/Gravel. Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 Op 73 in E flat “Emperor”. Ritchie, A: French Overture Sibelius, King Kristian II Suite Op. 27

Diedre Irons (MBE & ONZM) is one of New Zealand’s most distinguished performing musicians; her piano sound is always glorious.

Born in Winnipeg, Canada, she made her debut with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12, playing the Schumann Piano Concerto.

Since moving to New Zealand in 1977 Deidre Irons has performed regularly with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the APO, and the Christchurch Symphony, toured many times under the auspices of Chamber Music New Zealand, and recorded extensively for Radio New Zealand. With the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and conductor Marc Taddei, she has recorded the complete Beethoven Piano Concertos on the Trust Label.

Irons has travelled internationally having presented concerts in 25 countries. In 2007 she received the degree Doctor of Music (honoris causa) from Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada.

Michael Joel is currently music director of St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra and has worked on the music staff of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as duty conductor on productions of Tosca, La Bohème, La Traviata and Carmen, assisting big names like Placido Domingo.

St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra is an accomplished orchestra performing a wide repertoire of music and is dedicated to providing performance opportunities for New Zealand musicians, composers and conductors. TICKETS: Eventfinda or Door sales. EFTPOS or Cash.

Adults $30, Concessions $25, Children under 12 free. Student Rush on the day $15. NB: attendees will need to comply with any Covid-19 protocols in place at the time of the concert.

ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY, corner Wellesley & Hobson Streets, www.smco.org.nz

Sun 24 July at 2.30pm

programme Taylor Silk/Gravel Beethoven Piano Concerto No 5 Op 73 in E Flat, “Emperor” Ritchie, A French Overture Sibelius King Kristian II Suite Op 27 soloist Diedre Irons conductor Michael Joel

st matthew-in-the-city

Cnr of Wellesley & Hobson Street, Auckland City

Photography: Everall Deans, Ponsonby Business Association HOMESICK FOR PONSONBY?

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A Diary of Events The paintings of Philippa Blair. From 28 June – 23 July.

If painting is like keeping a diary, then the works of Philippa Blair are a personal record of the thoughts, feelings, and events that motivate, inspire, or even at times, horrify her.

“I develop with the painting; it’s as if the DNA of the painting and my own DNA somehow combine to create a new lifeform.”

The paintings in this show offer an incredible insight into the artist’s creative process. Nothing is hidden, the immediacy is the message.

As it has throughout her long career, Blair continues to challenge herself. She draws on her reserves, harnesses energies and as if it is an essential requirement of an artist she pushes firmly against any sense of a casual acceptance of the status quo.

She has avoided easy categorizations; her work has been, and continues to be, a series of heightened discoveries, explorations into the infinite possibilities of mark making and painterly expression.  PN

Weather Report, acrylic, oil, and mixed media on canvas, 1525 x 1015mm

Brit Bunkley, She Dreamed of Home

@ SCOTT LAWRIE GALLERY

Brit Bunkley: ‘How They Dream/The Gilded Age’. On until 23 July.

Award-winning US-born artist Brit Bunkley has enjoyed a stellar international career having shown at major institutions around the world, including New York, Berlin, Sao Paolo, Paris, Moscow, Taipei, Venice, and throughout New Zealand. So we’re proud to be able to show him in his adopted home of Aotearoa New Zealand with a major solo exhibiton at the Mt Eden gallery.

You may well have seen some of Brit’s work before. Together with his partner Andrea Gardner, he’s shown at numerous public venues in New Zealand – and proved to be a huge hit with the public.

In this exhibition, life-sized dogs leap, sit, straddle and play on random pieces of wooden furniture, bringing a delightful tension into the gallery space (plus, they don't shed hair or pee anywhere – making them perfect pooches for any home). But don't mistake Brit’s work for simply being cutesy – far from it. He’s applied the same treatment to less glamorous creatures, including insects and (TikTok favourites) Water Bears!

A selection of recent digital video works will loop during his show, including his highly-acclaimed ‘Dear Hart, How they dream. How we dream’ from 2021, plus an installation of intriguing model works; miniature landscapes that are both spiritual and iconic, will also be on display.

This will be a delightful and powerful experience, designed for all ages to enjoy, and we look forward to welcoming you!  PN

Brit Bunkley, How We Dream

Kate Yesberg

@ {SUITE} GALLERY, PONSONBY

This is Kate Yesberg’s first solo exhibition at {Suite} Ponsonby and a continuation of her series, ‘Nina’.

Comprising elaborate compositions of colour and strong geometric form, these new large-scale paintings pack a punch. Kate names each series for its intrinsic energy; a mood, feeling, or experience that emerges through the abstraction and process of creation. She explains, “The ideas come into my imagination, usually colours, combinations of colour, or simple shapes or compositions. But mostly I feel them, I feel the energy I want them to carry.”

As a series, Nina has been germinating since mid-2020, when, after several miscarriages, Kate and her husband decided to stop trying for a baby. Though for Kate, the paintings feel grounded and self-assured; they are embodiments of a journey, a process that has at times oscillated unforgivingly from acceptance to resistance, refusal to release, and back again, though has ultimately yielded resolution and a decision to allow things to be as they are.

“As I’ve worked into these paintings, the energy has become stronger; it feels full of potential, almost exhilarating. I feel like I’m coming into myself, learning how to hold things more lightly and to love them as they are.”

Kate builds her paintings up layer by layer from a black canvas as an act of devotional labour that is performed by hand, without tape or calibration. The effect is striking geometric patterns which from afar suggest hard-lines and manicured structures, though up close reveal the hand that rendered them and its human imperfection.

The show opens on 6 July and runs until 30 July.  PN

{Suite} GALLERY, 189 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 218 4399, www.suite.co.nz

AOTEA SQUARE IS TRANSFORMING INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND!

First up, the ever-popular Aotea Square Ice Rink has returned for another year, backed by an epic lighting installation and the return of the 35-metre ice slide.

After hitting the ice, warm up at the most Insta-worthy dining experience in town courtesy of The Snugs - your very own private and cosy pod, complete with a delicious array of hot food and drink platters to choose from.

From 14 July onwards, Elemental AKL will take over the Square, transforming it into the Elemental AKL Hub, the pulsing heart of the festival’s programme of arts, eats and beats.

Kicking things off, Drag Disco on Ice will take place injecting a little sparkle onto the Ice Rink and featuring a line-up of local Queens (Yuri Guaii, Margarita Blades and Shavorn Aborealis).

The Elemental AKL Hub will also feature a series of art and performance installations, including a larger-than-life neon, inflatable mushroom forest, massive moving pendulum-like lights, and cyberpunk Neon Cats!

To top it all off, these mesmerising installations will be accompanied by some of New Zealand’s coolest DJs playing live at the Container in the Square Café, including Stinky Jim, Samuel Harmony, Murray Cammick, Matthew Crawley, Uncle Barnie and more. It’s the perfect place for grabbing a drink and soaking up the atmosphere.

We’ll see you there for all the entertainment and good vibes! For all details and information, visit aucklandlive.co.nz

Where: Aotea Square

Dates: Aotea Square Ice Rink & Ice Slide and The Snugs Now – 31 July Elemental AKL Hub: 14 – 31 July

Cost: The Snugs and Aotea Square Ice Rink: Costs apply, visit aucklandlive.co.nz for more info All other events and installations are FREE

There are lots of changes at the art institutes along Karangahape Road which aim to continue the good health of our creative neighbourhood.

Following a stellar directorship of Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, the incomparable Courtney Sina Meredith has resigned. Courtney navigated the tricky transition from a trust that was failing its Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa artists into one that Creative New Zealand recognises as within the top ten art institutions of Aotearoa.

Founded by much loved artist Fatu Feu’u, Tautai has championed Pacifica artists for 40 years, and its expanded home on Karangahape Road is a locus for Moana art and inspiration. Tautai supports artist residencies, resources, and the Tautai Gallery for multi-disciplinary artforms. The current exhibition, The Water Tastes Different Here, is by In*ter*is*land Collective, a group of artists based in London and Aotearoa.

Meanwhile, Danielle Akenese Meredith, Mile Fane, and Gloriana Meyers have taken over interim directorship to continue Courtney’s mahi.

Just next door at Artspace Aotearoa, award-winning artist Ruth Buchanan takes up the directorship after more than a decade of working in Berlin. This is the first time that an artist has held the position since founding member Mary-Louise Brown (1986-89), and Ruth’s wide-ranging experience in the art world from teaching to exhibition making place her perfectly for the role.

Artspace has provided an impressive programme of diverse art forms across a broad cross-section of our communities for 35 years. Currently showing is Dieneke Jansen’s ongoing video narrative, Backdoor-Doorbell Studio, the multi-media exhibition Finding Pathways to Temahahoi, by Taipei-based artist Anchi Lin/Ciwas Tahos, and the short film, Neighbourhood of Truth, by Quentin Lind and Cushla Donaldson.

Down on the corner of Ponsonby Road, the historic police station that houses Studio One Toi Tu, artist studios, and offices of The Big Idea, will be undergoing refurbishment, scheduled to take nine months. We take this as a sign of Auckland Council’s continued commitment to situating art spaces in accessible central city spots.  PN

EVAN WOODRUFFE, Studio Art Supplies www.studioart.co.nz Anchi Lin video still at Artspace

Something to Wear by Lyall Hakaraia at Tautai