Media Release: Wellington The Arts Capital of Australasia
On Tuesday 9th of December at 9:30pm at the Statue of Queen Victoria between Kent and Cambridge Terrace.
Augustus Firestone with Aaron Frater, leaders of the “Finalism” painted sculpture international art movement based in
Wellington, will be announcing Wellington’s status as Arts Capital of Australasia.
This unique event encompasses a light and art display focussed around the statue of Queen Victoria. The event will apply
the philosophy and techniques promoted by the Finalism art movement. Finalism seeks to combine painting and sculpture to
add texture to sculpture via colour, and to add depth to painting via relief. In this event, the Queen Victoria statue
will be shrouded in colour using light projections. Sculpted and painted replicas will support the main light and art
spectacle.
Wellington’s declaration as the arts capital of Australasia is a response to Liverpool’s Biennial exhibition in 2002, in
which Tatsuro Bashi’s “Villa Victoria”, a hotel room constructed around a 5m tall marble statue of Queen Victoria in the
middle of the city, sought to establish Liverpool as Europe’s cultural capital.
This “one night only” event will commence with a Haka challenge by Te Rakau Theatre followed by a speech by Augustus
Firestone. Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast will speak in support of this unique and dazzling event.
Media inquiries: Augustus Firestone, 0212 981 861
Background:
Finalism: www.sculpturepaintedcom
Liverpool Biennial: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2002/sep/27/art.artsfeatures
ENDS