Unitec ready to host International design event

Media Release
XXX September 2009

Unitec ready to host International design event

More than one hundred representatives from the world’s top art and design schools and institutions will descend on Unitec in November for the Cumulus Aotearoa workshop.

Well known designer David Trubridge and Maori Master Carver Lyonel Grant have been anounced as the key note speakers for the two day event on November 9 and 10. A handful of other well known designers and practitioners will be running workshops around New Zealand’s design influences.

Cumulus Aotearoa has attracted a who’s who of of art and design schools and institutions from around the world including the Royal College of Art in England, Domus Academy in France, and the Art Center College of Design in USA.

The conference is a lead up to the 38 Degrees South Cumulus Conference in Melbourne two days later.

Head of Department, David Hawkins, says hosting Cumulus Aotearoa is a significant achievement for his department and will attract a lot of interest from those heading down under.

“This is a stunning opportunity to showcase Unitec and New Zealand's art, design and culture, to an influential group of art and design educators from around the world,” says Hawkins.

He says many of the delegates will be interested in finding out where New Zealand’s art and design influences come from.

Cumulus Aotearoa will be based around Unitec's Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, and will involve contributions from art and design practitioners from New Zealand with a strong focus upon sustainability and story-telling in a range of cultural contexts.

But it won’t be all work and play for the 100 representatives expected to attend the conference.

Apart from participating in workshops and discussions, they will get to experience New Zealand’s unique culture through a traditional a Pacific Island style umu and other ethnic delicacies.

They will also be able to explore the design elements of Unitec’s new marae which has been constructed through traditional Maori methods.

Cumulus is the International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media and groups together the world's leading providers of art and design education.

Membership is by invitation only and Unitec is one of only two providers in New Zealand who are members, the other being Victoria University.

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