Press release
Thursday 20th April 2000
CITY GALLERY WELLINGTON
anne.irving@wcc.govt.nz
‘A Living Mural’ & One Woman ‘Frida’ Show
Final weeks for VIVA LA VIDA
Closing Sunday 30 April, 2000
With VIVA LA VIDA moving into its final week, City Gallery Wellington presents a week of events beginning after the
Easter Break. The Ambassador of Mexico, a Maori actress playing Frida Kahlo, and a group of musicians will all feature
at the gallery.
‘A LIVING MURAL : the power of the imagination in Mexico’s modern art and culture’ Wednesday 26th April, 8 pm
In this fascinating lecture, His Excellency Mr Jorge Alvarez, Ambassador of Mexico will explore the essence of what has
given Mexico its own identity, providing key historical reference points and thoughts on cultural codes and values from
the 1920s to the 1960s.
“I will use images and sound clips so that people will see how the visual arts, architecture, poetry, film and
literature have unfolded in Mexico over the years.” said Mr Alvarez. “They will see Siqueiros and Octavio Paz, our
artists and musicians. I want to put that on the table for New Zealanders. They will be surrounded by a 'living mural'
of the arts.”
Free.
HERE I PAINT MYSELF, FRIDA KAHLO Friday 28 & Saturday 29 April at 8 pm
After excellent reviews on the London theatre circuit, Jillian Tipene brings her striking performance of the remarkable
life of Frida Kahlo to City Gallery Wellington. In this one-woman show, Tipene highlights Frida’s tragedy, adversity,
addiction and triumph using an array of mixed media. Her powerful spirit is captured through the use of projected
images, lights, guitar, dance, poetry and interaction with the audience. Tipene, who has a strong resemblance to Kahlo,
brings to life the artist’s formidable character.
‘A passionate tribute to the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, that succeeds in creating a sense of excitement about the
work.’ - The Herald.
Tipene, of Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa and Irish descent, recently returned to New Zealand after more than fifteen years in
theatre and film in New York and London. This show had an acclaimed four-week season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in
1997. Directed by Leon Herbert with Forbes Henderson and Mike Ainsworth. Tickets $15 & $12. Door sales only, Gallery Cinema.
BRUCE MCKINNON ET AL. Saturday 29 April, 2-3pm
Bruce McKinnon, Lawrence Reese and a group of talented percussionists will be performing a selection of Mexican
classical and contemporary music. As members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, McKinnon and Lawrence will be
playing with four of their students from Victoria University. The performance will feature works by Carlos Chavez and
Steve Reich. Be at the gallery on Saturday to hear the authentic songs of Mexico. Free with Admission.
Summary of Viva La Vida Admission prices
Adults (weekday) $11 Concession $9
Adults (weekends) $14 Concession $12
Children under 16 $6
Family group $30
* Booked tertiary and $5
school education visits
Group discounts available.
Weekday prices ($11, $9) will be charged on Good Friday (21 April ), Easter Monday and Tuesday 25 April (ANZAC Day), and
the Gallery will be open from 10-6pm on these days. All exhibitions after VIVA LA VIDA to the end of the year are free.
The programme of New Zealand contemporary art begins on 13 May 2000.
VIVA LA VIDA has been brought to New Zealand through the generous sponsorship of :
Telecom New Zealand; Ernst & Young, and Russell McVeagh.
City Gallery Wellington acknowledges the generous support of:
The Vergel Foundation, New York
Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (Conaculta).
Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (INBA)
Embassy of Mexico
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
New Zealand Embassy in Mexico
Totally Wellington
The Dominion
The Evening Post
The Chartwell Trust
VIVA LA VIDA is a New Zealand Festival 2000 event.