Art Week Auckland Provides A Visual Feast Of Art Events

23 August 2011

Art Week Auckland Provides A Visual Feast Of Art Events In October

Art Week Auckland will host 140 free art events during 13-23 October 2011 showcasing the city’s vibrant art scene with a visual arts extravaganza ranging from exhibitions, artists talks, performances, late nights at galleries, guided art tours, art speed dating, art cycle tours, kids art club and an art feast with a famous ex All Black set amongst paintings of a life size rugby scrum.

The 10 day festival will provide a fun way for the public to be introduced to and to interact with art in their city - engaging them and encouraging them to enjoy looking at art in their local communities. This year Art Week Auckland has expanded from the inner city to include Waitakere, Manukau and Devonport. It will offer even more opportunities to engage, learn, be uplifted and challenged by the wealth of great New Zealand Art in Auckland.

The timing of the events has been purposely scheduled to occur during the Rugby World Cup. “We wanted to ensure people knew there was more to Auckland than rugby, especially for our international visitors as they will need other things to do while they are here and being stimulated by our New Zealand art is something we wanted to offer” says Auckland Art Week Director and Whitespace gallery owner, Deborah White. The purpose of Art Week she says “is to increase awareness of the visual arts in the community and most importantly remove the mystique around the arts, so people can engage on whichever level they choose to”.

Auckland Art Week will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions about contemporary art and with many galleries running artist talks, it’s a chance to look at the best work in the city and talk to artists about their work. Aside from one on one opportunities, there will be many events in the city providing a fun component to soaking up some of the visual art on offer.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

(For a full list of events go to www.artweek.co.nz)

ART SPEED DATING (back by popular demand)

Wednesday 19 October

Ever wondered why art is worth money? How to start a collection? How to get discovered? Art Week Speed Dating is your chance to find out. Hosted by bFM in the iconic St Kevin's Arcade, Art Week Speed Dating matches art world know-it-alls with art world novices for an evening of Q + A.

6-8pm; St Kevins Arcade, K Road. Bookings essential. Contact bookings@artweek.co.nz

ART WEEK BY CYCLE

On yer bikes, art fans. Enjoy up to three medium-paced guided art tours using the perfect mode of transport - a bicycle. Each ride explores featured galleries as well as those slightly off the beaten track. No bike? 20 FREE NextBike dress-friendly cruisers available by reservation.
Bookings essential. Contact hello@craigneilson.com

TOUR DATES & TIMES (October)

Tuesday 18, 5-9pm (leaves 6pm): Eastern Cruise

Saturday 15, 1-6pm (leaves 2pm): Uptown Loop

Saturday 22, 1-6pm (leaves 2pm): Waitemata

NEWMARKET’S TOUR OF ART

Tuesday 18 October

Free guided tour around public sculptures and art venues. Enjoy a late night of art viewing across Tim Melville, Fox/Jensen, Seed Gallery and Highwic. Tour hosted by Andy Gomez and the Newmarket Business Association.

5-8pm; Limited spaces available. Bookings contact: bernadine@newmarket.co.nz

ART, ANARCHY AND ARCHITECTURE

Tuesday 18 October

A two hour guided walk along K Road looking at its mélange of cultural and artistic heritage. The buildings and artworks reflect the interweaving of the many diverse cultures that make up this intriguing precinct: Maori, European, Jewish, Chinese, Polynesian as well as evoking the subcultures of the gay world, the red-light district and the anti-nuclear protest movement. Classical marble statues, 20thcentury Modernist bronzes, handmade tiles and graffiti art.

5:30-7:30pm; Bookings essential. Phone (09) 377 5086 or email planning@kroad.com

KROAD AND PONSONBY GALLERY TOUR

Friday 21 October

Karangahape Rd and its periphery has, over time, gradually become the creative hub of Auckland and hosts some of the most interesting and varied galleries in the country. Dealers such as Ivan Anthony and Starkwhite present some of New Zealand's best known contemporary artists while Artspace's programme of curated exhibitions continues to challenge viewers experiences of art.

11-1.30pm; Hosted by Andy Gomez. Bookings essential. Phone (09) 377 5086 or email planning@kroad.com

ART TOUR & HIGH TEA, MOLLIES BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Sunday 16 October

Auckland’s only Relais & Chateaux Hotel strides ahead with new owners, new dining experiences and a new look. Mollies opens its doors to a few lucky winners to view our owners personal art collection, from well known New Zealand artists. Following your tour you will then be treated to a light afternoon tea.

12-2pm See artweek.co.nz for competition details.

EMERGENCE

1-31 October

10 young artists in their mid career have been paired with 10 businesses on Ponsonby Road to showcase contemporary art during October 2011. The artists featured will provide work across different media, from Scott Gardiner's paintings to Laura Robertson's objects, and everything in between for an art experience like you have never had before. Think window shopping meets the best of local contemporary art practices. See www.artweek.co.nz for full event details.

ARTFEAST

Tuesday 18 October

Dine in Whitespace gallery amongst larger than life size rugby paintings. Hosts for the evening will include one of New Zealand’s rugby greats, Ian Kirkpatrick, and a New Zealand art legend, Philip Trusttum. Includes wine tasting by Kirkpatrick Estate Wines. See www.artweek.co.nz for details on how to win two tickets valued at $200 each.

7pm; Whitespace 12 Crummer Road, Ponsonby

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