After first occupying vacant spaces in a post-stock-market-crash Auckland in the mid-1990s, public art curators ‘Letting Space’ re-emerged in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis. Confronted by the thin net of social welfare, the waste of the capitalist system and the climate emergency, it brokered spaces for artists to think and act radically, outside gallery walls.
A big and bright new book out of Massey University Press, ‘Urgent Moments’ chronicles these projects the artists that drove them.
To hear about the projects, Frances caught up with editors Mark Amery and Sophie Jerram.
cloud ribbon is a new exhibition by Kathryn Tsui at Object Space.
Kathryn is a textile based artist who currently lives in Tairua in the Coromandel Peninsula.
In beaded compositions and woven wall-hangings, cloud ribbon explores Kathryn’s own cultural heritage and craft practice by reflecting on intersections of Asian and European cultural histories.
Sofia spoke with Kathryn about the show and some of the research that went into it.
Tāmaki Makarau singer-songwriter Nganeko joins bFM to discuss their latest sirenic single 'Simple Illusions' produced by Brandon Haru and Brent Parks.
Born from a trasitional period of life of "finding my feet", Simple Illusions explores vunerability and the creation of walls and boundaries that are, ultimately, just an illusion. As Nganeko puts it: "we keep ourselves in a rut sometimes and just gotta do something... go outside!"
Listen to Nganeko chat with Sofía about sonic inspirations, Casio watches, and hit chemical manufacturing film Dark Waters.
Today on your bFM Breakfast: congratulations are in order for PM Ardern; Finn's back in studio to let you know all about Auckland Kiddie Limits; we host the heat death of the universe as a musician reviews a book written by another musician; and we send a newly cellphone-d champion to Splore.
Spike Milligan - Bad Jelly The Witch
Marshall Cavendish - Gobbolino the Witches Cat
Eddie Spaghetti - Wake Up, Wake Up
Kath Bee - Enchanted Forest
Petite Music Box - Dreamers
Craig Smith - Scariest Thing In The Garden
Anika Moa - The Witch of Maketu
Tanya Batt - The Giant's Heart
Dan & Dani - A Spider Looking at Me
Levity Beet - Build a wall or a bridge
Keith Mitchell - Captain Beaky
Murray 'Legend' Cammick stops in to talk Iggy Pop's pajamas and his latest photography exhibition, AK 75-85.
“I tried to document the music and the scene as a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ documentary photographer. You either contribute to the myths/bullshit of rock n roll or you try and show some of the reality of the grind of touring and promotion. I recall being the designer at Craccum in 1976 and being delighted that our music editor John Robson came back from a press conference with a photo of Frank Zappa drinking a cup of tea. How sublimely un-rock n roll!”
Today on the show we are joined by National MP Simon Bridges who talks us through all the drama at the opening of our 52nd Government. Lachlan speaks with Steven Winter from Auckland University Politics Department on the week’s events in the house. We are then joined by Dr Liam Martin from the school of cultural and social studies at the University of Victoria, talking about the developments at Waikeria Prison, and Harry speaks with Professor John Hewson on his thoughts that the current global political economic scene is riskier and more unpredictable than any other time since the late 1960s, ahead of his speech at the University of Auckland tomorrow night. Finaly Ben takes us back to this day in history in 1989 when the Berlin Wall met its demise.
Karen Rubado, has just handed in her Masters of Fine Arts submission (congrats!) titled Weaving Structural Improvisation into Contemporary Art, but what does this mean, you ask? Karan's work consists of a myriad of things such as including old power cables, string, discarded metal and ribbon, interwoven together to create intricate wall-hanging pieces. If you want to check out this beautiful work, head to the Elam Grad Show where you can find all things ~art~, yay!
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