Various Artists with Sofia & Beth

Each year Artspace Aotearoa orbits one question in the company of artists and through exhibitions. In 2024 they ask “do I need territory?” As an artist-led and artist-forward organisation they are beginning the exploration of this question from the perspective of the artist, launching their annual programme with the Aotearoa premier of work by seminal German sculptor Charlotte Posenenske and leading Ngāi Tahu artist Peter Robinson. To hear about 2024 for Artspace and their new show, Frances caught up with director Ruth Buchanan.

At the beginning of this month La Biennale di Venezia announced the artists participating in this year’s international exhibition, Foreigners Everywhere. Significantly, a total of eight New Zealand artists have been invited to participate by curator Adriano Pedrosa. Pedrosa selected the artists during a visit to New Zealand in March 2023. Amanda Hereaka, Creative New Zealand’s Co-Manager Practice and Pathways says his time in New Zealand was invaluable for our artists. To hear more about the Biennale and the selections from New Zealand, Frances caught up with Amanda Hereaka.

The Whakahoa Kaitoi Whanaketanga PAK'nSAVE Artist Fellowship has recently presented the work 4 Feet in the Dark by Tash van Schaardenburg & Ari Kerssens. 4 Feet in the Dark considers the ableist architectures of everyday life alongside the soulful empowerment of embracing the disabled experience, a 20-speaker surround sound sonic journey through the breadth of human emotions within the lens of blindness. To hear more about the work, Frances caught up with Ari Kerssens for Various Artists.

It's the first show of pride month! But also, Frances's penultimate broadcast :((

E whai ake nei, coming up on the show today:

Liam will be chatting to Sarah Krieg and Ngaio Simmons about Toi Kupu, a a Tangata Whenua and Tangata o le Moana celebration of takatāpui spoken word. 

They’ll also be chatting to Tracey Tawhiao about Waitangitangi, the group exhibition in response to the government's proposal to abolish te Tiriti O Waitangi.

And they’ll be chatting to Steven Junil Park about Queerness and Clothing, a talk and workshop also happening as a part of Auckland Pride. 

Frances speaks to Ari Kerssens about 4 feet in the Dark, their new work, co-created with Tash Schaardenburg, which considers the ableist architectures of everyday life alongside the empowerment of embracing the disabled experience.