3 October 2014
MEDIA RELEASE
Whangarei Art Museum Public Programme
Black Rainbow: Ralph Hotere and Michael Parekowhai
Open 18 October – 7 December 2014
Visitors to the Whangarei Art Museum will soon be able to explore the stunning works of two leading New Zealand artists Ralph Hotere and Michael Parekowhai, brought together in Black Rainbow.
This extraordinary exhibition was developed by Te Papa and features five ‘black paintings’ by the late Ralph Hotere,
some of his best known works. They sit alongside Michael Parekowhai’s sculptural work, an intricately carved, Steinway
grand piano, called He kōrero purākau mo te awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river.
Whangarei Art Museum is delighted to offer a unique opportunity for interested pianist’s to play and engage with the
most famous piano in New Zealand - Michael Parekowhai’s carved Steinway concert piano. This exciting public programme is
held in conjunction with the latest touring exhibition to WAM from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Black Rainbow: Ralph Hotere and Michael Parekowhai.
Michael Parekowhai He kōrero purākau mo te awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river
Public playing sessions
A booking system for members of the public to play on He Korero will be available on weekends between 11am – 2pm. All
public playing sessions must be booked prior to the day of playing. Spaces will be limited and available booking times
can be enquired through the art museum during opening hours.
Weekend music mix
The Whangarei Art Museum will host an extended musical programme showcasing local musicians at their best. Visitors will
be able to explore the art works on display while being treated to an amazing range of talent from local musicians
including About Time Jazz Trio, Terry Gill, Opera North, Whangarei Youth Music, Ponzy Scheme and the Kindness of Strangers,
Makareta Umbers, Sistema and accomplished teachers Nick Grew and Astuko Fukuoka, plus Rachel Diamond and Andy Easterbrook performing hits from the Whangarei Theatre Company’s highly popular production
of ‘Chicago’.
As part of the weekend public playing sessions, local musicians will be performing short musical sets featuring Michael
Parekowhai’s iconic Steinway concert piano He kōrero pūrākau mo te awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river. Weekend performances will feature a range of styles including jazz, improvisation, classical, young musicians and
ensembles. Check the Whangarei Art Museum website for what’s on each week.
All public playing sessions must be booked in advance with the art museum.
To book or for more information contact 09-4304240 or whangareiartmuseum@wdc.govt.nz
Conditions apply please note, Te Papa have strict protocol for playing the piano, and therefore a degree of experience will be necessary
in order to play it.
Art - Whangarei Art Museum concert
Saturday 8 November 2014
6pm
Duration: 75 min no interval
Black Rainbow – “Five black paintings. A red piano. The works of two leading artists, Ralph Hotere and Michael Parekowhai, from two
generations come together, conversing in colour, sound, and ideas.”
Art (art to the power of three) is an NZTrio initiative designed to take audiences on a multi-sensory arts experience
combining musical feeling with visual pleasure.
For one night only, NZTrio will perform a selected programme that echoes the concepts behind this inspiring exhibition:
the juxtaposition of European roots and contemporary New Zealand culture, the old and the new.
Beethoven’s Piano Trio in E Flat Major, Opus 1, No. 1 opens the concert with a classical European flavour, which is echoed in the two Mozart-infused works later in the
programme: Flicker, a fresh new offering from Taiwanese composer Yu-Hui Chang, and Mozart-Adagio by the great Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The New Zealand artistry of the exhibition is mirrored in Kiwi-turned-Aussie
Judy Bailey’s So Many Rivers which has European instruments stepping into a world of home-grown, jazzy styles, and the youthful Subtle Dances by New Zealander, Claire Cowan is sure to get toes tapping.
Spaces will be limited, please purchase your tickets in advance.
Adults: $25
Whangarei Art Museum Friend Members: $20
Students: $15
Bookings available from:
The Old Library Arts Centre
7 Rust Ave
Whangarei
(09) 430 6432
ENDS