More Than 58,000 Visitors To NZ Exhibition At Venice Biennale
More than 58,000 people visit New Zealand exhibition at Venice Biennale 2003
By the time the New Zealand exhibition at the 50th Venice Biennale closed on 2 November, 58,375 people had seen the
exhibition.
In 2001, approximately 22,000 people visited the New Zealand exhibition at the Venice Biennale.
"We're delighted at the huge increase in attendance numbers this year," says Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of Creative
New Zealand. "We believe these increased numbers this year are a testament to the interest in Michael Stevenson's work,
the fascinating venue we had this year and increasing global awareness of New Zealand art."
The Venice Biennale is the most prestigious event on the international arts calendar. In 2003, New Zealand was
represented by Michael Stevenson's This is the Trekka, an installation that unpacks the story of the intrepid Trekka,
hailed as New Zealand's only homegrown automobile, and presents a big-picture view of New Zealand industry and culture
in the Cold War period.
The exhibition, presented in the 18th century church La Maddalena, was widely appreciated by a range of international
visitors, including many from the visual arts world such as Frieze Magazine, Time, Art Monthly Australia, the Royal
Academy Magazine and Art Forum.
Lady Pippa Blake was "thrilled" by the exhibition while New Zealanders who visited described it as "unforgettable" and
"brilliant". Other comments by visitors from Germany, Australia and Italy included: "fascinating, complex work";
"interesting, especially in this location"; and "so amazing, after all the repetitive art in Italy".
The New Zealand exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2003 was presented by Creative New Zealand in partnership with the
City Gallery Wellington.