Overview
With a programme so stuffed it reads like a Chinese restaurant menu, Auckland Art Week is a smorgasbord of inspiration. Like a visual buffet, there are 100 free events and exhibitions on offer, with something to suit everyone's tastes: walks, talks, shows, bicycle tours, performances, film screenings, demonstrations, workshops and more. If that’s possible.
When faced with so much creative inspiration, it’s hard to know what to choose. Thankfully we've put together a guide to Auckland Art Week (11-20 October), to help you get the most 'art' of it.
All events are free, but bookings (done via the individual events on the art week site) are essential for most events.
Street Art Tours
The street art walking tour with international street artist WERT159 is sure to be a winner, as well as the street art walk tour which includes works by Askew 1, Flox and Martin Poppelwell. For those more interested in gallery-based art there are also guided art walks of Parnell, Queen St, the Waterfront, Three Lamps and a special lantern meander.
Art Week by Cycle
One of the highlights include the ever-popular cycle tours. Tours are available through Ponsonby, Parnell, Newmarket and past the Waterfront. Biking enthusiasts can also check out the Vintage Velocette worked on by Burt Munroe, who is famous for setting an under-1000cc world record of 295.453kmh at Bonneville Salts Flats, Utah in 1967 at the age of 68.
Talk it up
Hear it straight from the horse's mouth at one of the many artist talks taking place during Art Week. Artist talks are the best way to get insight into artwork; how it's made and what it's all about. Dick Frizzell discusses his new 'scrapbook' work at the Gow Langsford while at Seed Gallery John Pusateri shares the inspiration behind his recent series of beautiful birds. Linda Holloway explains the Law of Unintended Consequences and Lisa Chandler talks about non-places and her adventures as an urban wanderer.
Go South
There'll be arty events sprouting all over the city, but Auckland's South has a bumper crop, with an alfresco film screening, street trash sculpture clash, the Objective Art Awards, OTARAfest and the colourful Southside Arts Festival. Take the Southern Gallery Express and be part of an interactive performance which takes place on the bus while you ride.
Late Night Art
An answer to 'White Night', Late Night Art is an annual art week event which transforms Auckland into an evening wonderland of art viewing and events. For one night only on October 17, galleries and venues across Auckland keep their doors open to give you a unique after-dark viewing experience. Cycle and walking tours are available, plus a pop-up street food market outside the St James.
Love Your City
The St James will also be making a special guest appearance during Art Week as an open air gallery for a selected exhibition of instagram pics that show off a bunch of great reasons to Love Your City.
Also in the heart of Auckland are a number of excellent events celebrating our most glorious and infamous street, Karangahape road. There's a Vintage Extravaganza hosted by St Kevins Arcade, shop windows will be dressed with artwork for LOOK K rd and the K Road Circuit will have the streets buzzing.
Discover Something New
From hidden collections to slow art sessions, there’s plenty to discover at Art Week. Big players in the financial and legal industries unlock their private art collections for exclusive viewing while gallerists offer advice on how to look at art, and how to start a collection of your own.
Get Involved
Art Week isn't just about looking at art, it's about getting involved. There's a host of demonstrations and interactive events to choose from to get your creative juices flowing. Make and take away a shadow puppet (or textile zine, or wind sculpture), learn how to apply special effects makeup, watch a sculpture come to life, visit the collaborative 100 day challenge, as well as many more from the Arts Menagerie's collaborative project 'You & Me'.
Nurture Your Inner Critic
For those whose skill with a pencil only extends as far as a few words, there are numerous workshops on the art of writing, about art. For all you budding critics there's an opportunity to have your writing published on the Art Week ARTzine and potentially selected for editorial publication in New Zealand Art News.
Don't be afraid to say what you think and to ask questions—you get out what you put in after all. You might even find yourself engaged in a stimulating conversation with an interesting (and hopefully good looking) stranger.
Image: John Pusateri, who will be giving a talk during Art Week.