Rat World is a new magazine for supporting emerging and underground artists filled with interviews, features, art, essays, comics - basically all the good stuff you crave! Editor in Chief Jennifer and Graphic Designer Aidan dropped by the studio to chat all about it, and also let us know that there's a launch party for Rat World Issue Two this Saturday at Move Space on Dominion Road! If this sounds like something you're into or want to contribute to, you can always hit them up at hello@ratworldmag.com or their insta. Whakarongo mai nei!
Grace Mirams is an artist, graphic designer and researcher practicing here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Recently she shared exciting news via Public Record in Ponsonby that Gallery Crossing in Japan asked Grace to exhibit her first solo show in Japan in August this year. To hear about Grace's work, her trip across the world and an upcoming workshop, Frances caught up with her on Various Artists.
Frances speaks to Cat Ruka from Basement Theatre about new research on the economic & wellbeing benefits of seeing live performances in Aotearoa
Liam has a yarn with Luna from Parallel Aotearoa,a new speculative fiction bookstore that has just opened up on Karangahape Road.
Frances speaks to visual artist, graphic designer and researcher Grace Mirams about her practice, relationships with local practitioners and a new show opening in Japan in August.
And finally we have your art guide for Tāmaki Makarau this week.
Joe is back for a package on Toi o Tāmaki, the Auckland Art Gallery’s Marariki celebrations last week including a chat with Taane Mete.
Frances talks to Creative NZ advocacy lead Tracey Monastra about their recent report ‘visibility matters’ on the importance and future of arts journalism.
Liam had a yarn with Zac from Kiwijam Auckland about the 48 Hour game development event.
Frances also talk to designer Jamie Horsefield about his runway show Alumnus Serendipitous with Abbey Haines-Bellamy happening at No. 7 this Saturday.
Happening tonight at UoA’s Unleash Space, Kiwijam will be taking Aotearoa’s new and experienced game developers, designers and artists through a whirlwind 48 hours to bring a project from start to finish. This is the events tenth - ish anniversary, and it’s first taking place in Whāngarei as well as Ōtautahi, Ōtepoti, Te-Whanganui-a-tara, and of course Tāmaki Makaurau. I had a yarn with the Auckland organiser Zac about the game jam, it’s history, and how folks can get involved.
Art is fashion is fashion is art. This Saturday July 22 fashion designers Jamie Horsefield and Abbey Haines-Bellamy are presenting Alumnus Serendipitous, a runway show held at No. 7 on Pitt Street. They are 2 best friends reuniting for 1 massive debut fashion show!! 5 years of talking! 1 year of planning!! 1 month of execution! To hear about the show Frances caught up with Jamie and creative partner Abbey from their studio.
Te Paparahi Toi Māori, Walks in the City, are eight walks from Art Now NZ, showcasing sixty locations where you can view private and public art, urban and architectural design, and sites of significance. Art Walks also features four Gallery Walks, each mapping out the locations of the galleries in different parts of the city so you can gallery-hop in the city centre.
Art Walks are new to Art Now, so to hear about them, Frances caught up with Art Now director Stephanie Post.
With the 2023 general election on the horizon, Ōtautahi illustrator and designer Maya Templer has put together a set of Magic the Gathering-esque trading cards comparing and contrasting the candidates.
The game has 45 cards of MP’s running in the upcoming election, alongside policy cards and a few tributes to Aotearoa’s political history.
The game can indeed be played like a classic trading card game, but is still meant to be informational in an effort to help upcoming voters learn more about who they’ll be electing.
Liam had a chat with Maya about the card game, and how it came together.
Later in the month, Homestead Galleries is presenting This Raw Material, an exhibition featuring contemporary wool craft and bespoke creations by Liz Mitchell (MNZM).
Liz Mitchell holds a prominent position in Aotearoa New Zealand's fashion industry. With her specialisation in bespoke tailoring, she has devoted nearly three decades to harnessing the inherent beauty, adaptability, and enduring qualities of wool. Her unwavering dedication has established wool as the cornerstone of her design philosophy.
Spanning all three rooms of Homestead Galleries, the exhibition encourages visitors to embrace strong wool in Aotearoa as an integral part of their daily lives, fostering a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle.
To hear about the exhibition, Frances caught up with Liz for Various Artists.