Rotorua encouraged to watch artists at work

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L-R: Travelling artists Oriah Rapley, Claire Sadler, Jocelyn Pratt and Anna Korver with Taranaki andesite boulders.

Rotorua encouraged to watch artists at work
For immediate release: 19 November 2016

For the next nine days the Rotorua Arts Village green will be a buzz of activity as seventeen New Zealand artists race against the clock to create pieces of art from large blocks of stone and wood.

The Sulphur Lake Sculpture Symposium runs from 19 -27 November and people are encouraged to watch the artists at work, with a special family day on 26 November.

Council community arts advisor and event coordinator, Marc Spijkerbosch, says he expects lots of locals and visitors throughout the week.

“This is an awesome event with awesome people. It’s free, open to the public and a unique opportunity to see artists in action as they transform raw limestone blocks, stone and logs into imaginative pieces.

“This year we have included a family day as part of the event on 26 November. We want to encourage people to grab their friends and family and see some of the finest talent this country has to offer.”

“Bring your picnic blanket, absorb the atmosphere and watch artistic magic happen. Pack your own lunch or buy from the food carts set-up for the day,” he says.

The family day has been set towards the end of the symposium when there is not as much dust or noise on site.

“We also encourage people to wander through the adjoining sculpture trail. This will be the last chance to see the ‘The Returning Soldier’ sculpture exhibit. These pieces were created in the 2014 symposium have become a popular attraction in the city’s Government Gardens. They will be removed to make room for the new pieces from this event,” Mr Spijkerbosch says.

The finished pieces will form ‘The Energy Within’ Exhibition along the sculpture trail until the next sculpture symposium in 2018.

There are eight local artists involved in the event as well as artists from all over New Zealand. Travelling artists include Oriah Rapley, Claire Sadler, Jocelyn Pratt and Anna Korver who will all be working with Taranaki andesite boulders.

All artists need to create a piece that fits the theme ‘The Energy Within’ to capture Rotorua’s geothermal and cultural heritage.

Each artist works differently, but most come with an idea of what they want to create, but Claire Sadler says it does come down to the boulder you get to work with.

“While I may have an overall design in mind, it is fluid. The boulder and its characteristics definitely shape the finished piece,” Ms Sadler says.

The Sculpture Symposium is on 8.30am to 4.30pm daily from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 November at the Rotorua Arts Village green in the Government Gardens. The Family Day is on Saturday 26 November from 10am to 2pm.

For more information go to www.bit.ly/sculptsym

About the Symposium
· A sculpture symposium is where artists work in a public place within a set timeframe to create pieces of art. Artists must apply to be a part of the symposium and accepted artists are paid a small stipend for their involvement.
· It is performance art and provides a unique opportunity for the artists to share their work and engage with the watching audience.
· The Sulphur Lake Sculpture Symposium is one of a handful of symposiums held in New Zealand and is held every two years.
· It helps Rotorua become known as a creative delight for locals and visitors.
· One piece will be awarded the Judge’s Award and become part of the Rotoru’a public art collection.
· A further four pieces may be purchased to enhance the new boulevard in Rotorua’s Kuirau Park.

ENDS

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