Ten Reasons to Visit the Auckland Art Fair 2013

The Auckland Art Fair is likely to be the most influential exhibition you'll see this year. Nowhere else will you find such a large and diverse collection of contemporary New Zealand art. It's your chance to view and purchase works by the region's most sought after artists.

We caught up with Jana Beer, publications editor for Auckland Art Fair 2013, who kindly helped us put together ten good reasons to visit the Auckland Art Fair 2013. Jana is an artist herself, with a penchant for all things botanical, but also has a background in Arts Management. Jana's role involves much liaising with exhibitors and putting together the catalogue of works, making her the perfect person to ask about why to go and how to get the most out of the Art Fair experience.

Fast facts: Auckland Art Fair 2013

What: 40 galleries from New Zealand and Australia showing leading contemporary artists, a public programme of artist talks and panel discussions, guided tours, artist projects and a dedicated space for video works.

Where: The Cloud

When: August 7-11, Vernissage August 7

How: GA tickets can be used on any day, so check the programme and time your visit to coincide with one of the many free events.

We also have two double passes to give away. Email us at [email protected] with the heading 'Auckland Art Fair Comp' for your chance to win.

1. The Video Zone

The Video Zone is a dedicated exhibition space for films and video works. There are 16 works which run on a 90 minute continuous loop. Seating is provided, of course. Jana says "Video work is often labelled as difficult, so hopefully people will be surprised at how engaging it is."

Gregory Bennett, Utopia IV. HD Video, 8:00 mins. Courtesy of the artist and Two Rooms.

2. The Australian Stands

The Australian stands offer work that's new to NZ, that people won't have seen before. Plus, our trans-Tasman counterparts give the Auckland Art Fair an international edge.  Jana's excited about Kate Shaw's "toxic" landscapes and seeing the work of Laith McGregor, a master of biro pen works.

Kate Shaw, Nightinglae (USA Carlsbad), 2013. Acrylic and Resin on board. Courtesy of the artist and Fehily Contemporary.

3. The Public Programme

One of the highlights of the Art Fair, the Public Programme is designed to educate and engage, offering something more for those who are keen to wade a little deeper. This year's keynote speaker is Sandra Philips, senior curator of photography at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Her talk is particularly relevant as it looks at the relationship between photography, voyeurism and surveillance.

Harry Callahan, Atlanta, 1984. Dye transfer print. Collection SFMOMA. © Estate of Harry Callahan.

4. Studio Channel Art Fair

A new feature this year is the fair's very own media channel. Mark Amery and Sophie Jerram explore the mysteries of the art market through intimate and candid interviews with artists, collectors and dealers. The filming sessions will take place in the studio (located on level 1 behind the cafe). The public are welcome to attend. Jana says, "For guests, being in the audience will be a real highlight as those kinds of interviews can be so insightful and you can find out so much more than you can from a website."

5. Mathew Couper's Painting Monkey

Mathew Couper is going to be a painting monkey, every day of the fair. Enough said.

Photo: Checko Salgado© 2012

6. The Vernissage

The official opening party of the Art Fair, the Vernissage is a chance to mingle with the cream of the creative community. It's the one event that will bring all corners of the industry together. It's an excuse to get dressed up, check out what every else is wearing and revel in the creative genius before anyone else does.

7. The Projects

For this year's Art Fair, eight local artists have been invited to put together a special project. The works are predominantly sculptural, though diverse in medium and style. Artists include Bill Culbert, Scott Eady, Dan Arps, Seung Yul Oh, Rohan Wealleans, Niki Hastings-McFall, Isreal Biorch and Alex Monteith. Close to Jana's heart is Alex Monteith's ongoing documentary of the defense force and community's response to the Rena disaster, which will be projected onto back lit shipping containers at the fair.

Alex Monteith, Rena Disaster, 2012. Courtesy of the artist and Gow Langsford Gallery.

8. Guided Tours

The Auckland Art Fair is about making contemporary art easily accessible for everyone. Guided tours are the ideal way to get some insight into the show. Your very knowledgeable and affable guides Evan Woodruffe and Scott Gardiner will be more than happy to answer all your questions, especially the stupid ones.

9. Inspiration

Looking at art doesn't have to be serious and you don't have to get all deep and meaningful about it. Remember the awe and wonder the world inspired in you as a child? Take a page out of a kid's book and find things you enjoy looking at and give you that sense of childish glee. Seung Yul Oh's work is bound to appeal.

Seung Yul Oh, Huggong, 2012. Installation view at Starwhite, Auckland. Courtesy of the artist and Auckland Art Fair.

10. The Buzz

With so many artists, curators, dealers, art writers and art lovers in one place, great conversations will be as much a feature as the artwork. Not a noiseless white cube by any means, the Auckland Art Fair is like any symposium; loud and busy and in Jana's words, "It's not as scary as you think. People are there to look, to learn, to share ideas and to get involved with the public programme. No prior knowledge or experience required, simply an open mind.

Feature image: Gregory Bennett, Utopia IV. HD Video, 8:00 mins. Courtesy of the artist and Two Rooms.