Thursday, 26 June 2008

Creative NZ picks sculptor, painter for Venice show

Hand-made figures inspired by medieval painters, and large painted canvases that intersect walls and windows, will represent cutting-edge Kiwi art at the Venice Biennale.

London-based Christchurch sculptor Francis Upritchard will make the figures of Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Brueghel, and abstract painter Judy Millar, of Auckland, the large-scale canvases.

The announcement for next year's biennale comes three years after Creative New Zealand was criticised for choosing art collective et al to represent New Zealand at the 2005 biennale, the world's oldest and largest exhibition of contemporary art.

The collective's earlier works had included a toilet that brayed like a donkey. The decision became a public relations disaster as the collective remained anonymous and the artist reluctant to be interviewed.

Creative NZ, which is partly funded by taxpayers, will spend $650,000 exhibiting Upritchard and Millar's works in Venice for six months next year - $150,000 more than on exhibiting et al. It will also aim to raise another $400,000 from sponsorship and private patronage.

Creative NZ arts council chairman Alastair Carruthers said Millar was "one of New Zealand's most experienced abstractionists" and her project for Venice was "strong, bold and exciting".

Millar, in her early fifties, is well known for her large paintings.

Upritchard, who is her early thirties and has exhibited in Europe and the United States, won the prestigious $50,000 Walters Award in 2006 for her installation of sculptures called Doomed Doomed Doomed.

Mr Carruthers said the biennale, which features work from 70 countries, was one of the best ways for New Zealand to promote its artists overseas.

Support staff will also be in Venice.

 





See Also

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Veronica Lipgloss and the Evil Eyes

Veronica Lipgloss and the Evil Eyes   
Artist: Veronica Lipgloss and the Evil Eyes

   Genre(s): 
Rock
   



Discography:


Witch's Dagger   
 Witch's Dagger

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 11




 






Monday, 9 June 2008

'Beyonce & Jay-Z Should Get Pregnant'

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z should get pregnany and start a family, believes Snoop Dogg.

Following all the pregnancy rumours, the hip hop star reckons the newlyweds should temporarily ditch their careers and concentrate on producing a brood of children.

He tells People: "I told them to go home and make babies. They should, that's the next step as far as marriage, having kids ... add on to the family, so hopefully that's what they'll do."

But the rapper, who has three children with wife of ten years Shante, isn't taking his own advice on board, insisting he isn't keen on the idea of adding to his family.

When asked if he was planning another tot, he says: "No. I'm good."

And his views on the secrets of a successful marriage: "Communication, and being able to fight and get back up. To have misunderstanding and (then) get some understanding."

Snoop is father to 13-year-old Corde, Cordell, 11, and Cori, eight.

Sunday, 1 June 2008

Transceive

Transceive   
Artist: Transceive

   Genre(s): 
Electronic: Progressive
   



Discography:


Intrigue   
 Intrigue

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 9