First Contact 2012

First Contact 2012 PIC CREDIT Artist Concept Image by Michel Tuffery

VISUAL ART: NEW ZEALAND

FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT – WORLD PREMIERE

First Contact 2012

The facade of Te Papa will become a dramatic moving canvas every night at dusk for 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival.

Acclaimed New Zealand artist Michel Tuffery’s First Contact is a huge, multi-media art projection, inspired by Cook’s exploration of the South Pacific. A free public event, it will transform Wellington’s waterfront, with a vibrant opening night performance. Post opening night, Te Papa will be lit up by Tuffery’s major digital artwork every night of the Festival.

The iSite Media Season of First Contact brings the inside of Te Papa out. Tuffery, MNZM, has used material recorded by scientists and artists on Cook’s three epic voyages, held in Te Papa’s collections. First Contact will take the museum’s artefacts on a new journey into the 21st century.

“I want to extend the surrounding stories of these objects, which were once contemporary in themselves, by reawakening sound, giving new life to historical images and text again through motion,” Michel Tuffery says.

FIRST CONTACT – FIRST NIGHT

Come and celebrate the opening night of the Festival on Friday 24 February at First Contact – First Night. For opening night, Tuffery’s stunning imagery will be accompanied by live performances by Linechecker, music and dance from the Whitireia Performing Arts School, DJ Nomad, Rhombus Dub and Rayjah45.

Post opening night, audiences will be able to download the First Contact soundscape as they view the artist’s work on the facade of Te Papa, every night at dusk. During the day, a dedicated Festival Hub on the waterfront will provide information on the work and other Festival events. “Make First Contact’’ at the Festival Hub and you could get free Festival treats and win discounted tickets to a selection of festival shows.

Post opening night, the iSite Media Season of First Contact will screen at Te Papa every night from 25 February to 18 March from dusk until late for the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival, Wellington, 24 February – 18 March. FREE.

ENDS

Sponsored by iSite Media

With support from New Zealand Major Events Fund and Te Papa

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