Front Page of the Art World: What’s Hot & What’s Not — 12 August 2022
A wrap on the NZ International Film Festival, the RNZB making ballet debut in Cinderella, the Auckland Writer's Festival is coming, two new books PLUS curated news & opinions from the art world
It’s a wrap on the New Zealand International Film Festival! This year’s NZIFF was full of wonder, scathe and extraordinary storytelling. I’ve highlighted eight standout films to look out for in case you missed them.
This week’s blog also covers the delightful and playful Royal New Zealand Ballet Production of Cinderella which I saw earlier this week, the upcoming Auckland Writers Festival, and a curated selection of news and opinions from the global art world from the last couple of weeks.
The ArtCafé Blog is taking a break for a few weeks while we enjoy the remaining weeks of whatever mid-year season you are surviving right now. See you next month for more of “what’s hot and what’s not”! 🔥
Click to the full blog post.
New Zealand International Film Festival
The Territory
Winner of the Sundance 2022 Special Jury Award for Documentary Craft, the World Cinema Documentary Audience Award.
The Territory, from director Alex Pritz and Oscar-nominated producers Darren Aronofsky and Sigrid Dyekjaer, provides an immersive on-the-ground look at the tireless fight of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people against the encroaching deforestation brought by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon.
With awe-inspiring cinematography showcasing the titular landscape and richly textured sound design, the film takes audiences deep into the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau community and provides unprecedented access to the farmers and settlers illegally burning and clearing the protected Indigenous land. Partially shot by the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau people themselves, the film relies on vérité footage captured over three years as the community risks their lives to set up their own news media team in the hopes of exposing the truth.
The Territory will have a special NYC Central Park premiere this month, followed by a worldwide theatrical release. It be released by AHI Films in Aotearoa NZ and Australia from mid-September.
As co-founder of the AUT Art Science Lab, it has been humbling to watch artist in residence Joseph Michael tenaciously work through the pandemic on an incredible digital artwork and documentary that takes people on a journey deep into the scientific and spiritual currents of the Amazon rainforest. After two years of Zoom calls with indigenous leaders and scientists, Joseph has just returned from an expedition into the Amazon and has written about his experience here.
The Territory is a film that brings us into the macroscopic - perfectly captured in the scene of the ant carrying an enormous leaf. The Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau carry so much more weight than most, not least their 19-year-old chief who is using technology and drones as part of their work.
Where is Anne Frank?
A gloriously animated fantasy reimagining of Anne Frank’s story from the lauded director of The Congress (NZIFF 2013) and Waltz with Bashir (NZIFF 2008).
This film talks about bigotry and racism now to bring Anne Frank’s story into the modern era and show it is tragically being repeated.
The Good Boss
Javier Bardem, renowned for his memorable portrayals of villains in No Country for Old Men and Skyfall, adds another sinisterly charming, immoral character to his repertoire as the titular “good boss” in this dark Spanish satire which bagged all the top awards at the 2022 Goyas (the Spanish Oscars).
I saw this Spanish language film with my son and daughter-in-law. Thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Muru
The NZIFF opened this year’s edition with the World Premiere of Tearepa Kahi’s film Muru.
Set against the backdrop of the stunning Tūhoe native bush, writer and director Tearepa Kahi (Poi E: The Story of Our Song NZIFF 2016, Herbs: Songs of Freedom NZIFF 2019, Mt Zion) plunges us into one of the most charged episodes of Aotearoa’s history: the Tūhoe raids of 15 Oct 2007.
Punch
Seventeen-year-old boxer Jim carries the hopes and dreams of his father on his shoulders, but his growing relationship with local takatāpui Whetu forces him to confront the truth about his sexuality and choose his own future.
Directed by AUT professor Welby Ings, this Aotearoa coming out film is very important. Ings was sponsored by a dear friend, the late Adrian Burr. It is wonderful that even though he couldn’t this world premier, what Adrian treasured still came to life. Philanthropy is so vital for these stories, these films.
Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song
A documentary deep-dive into the life and legacy of legendary Canadian singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen told through the prism of his most anthemic and well-known song.
The film I wish I had seen! I can’t wait for it to screen - every single friend that saw it felt it was a Hallelujah moment.
Ali & Ava
This refreshingly authentic depiction of finding love right on your doorstep, and from unlikely directions, abounds with humour and the transformative power of song.
This was a wonderful film. An “unexpectedly warm and typically compelling drama from British writer-director Clio Barnard.” Highly recommend!
Triangle of Sadness
Gilded privilege comes a cropper when abruptly confronted by less luxurious reality in this brilliantly orchestrated satire awarded the Palme d’Or 2022.
The festival finished with this “blisteringly funny” film by social satirist supreme Ruben Östlund – his fourth title to play in NZIFF, and the second to have won the Palme d’Or.
Royal New Zealand Ballet - Cinderella
If you’re going to take a non-ballet person to a ballet - this is the one.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pushing traditional ballet boundaries in this riveting, beautiful, witty production of Cinderella which features two princes falling in love and Cinderella fighting to become her own woman. With incredible costumes and wonderful music, from the brilliant choreographic mind of Loughlan Prior, with an original score by composer Claire Cowan. Some of the headlines:
Same-sex love story makes ballet debut in Cinderella: a kiss between two princes has made Royal New Zealand Ballet history in the company’s production of Cinderella. (1News)
Royal New Zealand Ballet to feature first same-sex kiss in modern day twist of classic fairy tale (Stuff) - click for a stunning behind-the-scenes video!
Be warned, you might get a bit of added drama reading about it…
The Auckland Writer’s Festival 2022
The Auckland Writers Festival (Waituhi o Tāmaki) is recognised as one of the best literature celebrations in the world. The 2022 event is around the corner, running at various Auckland venues from 22-28 August.
Over the seven-day festival, attendees can choose from readings, debates, literary theatre, free public events and picking the brains of Jane Campion, Liane Moriarty and David Duchovny.
Books
Gaylene’s Take: Her Life in New Zealand Film (November 2022), by Gaylene Preston
From one of our very best filmmakers comes a memoir of filmmaking in Aotearoa New Zealand.
'I had no idea Gaylene was so hilarious. I adored this brilliant memoir: part liar, part cowgirl, mouthy and determined Gaylene grows up in Greymouth and migrates into the wild 70s, ending up in the tough-as-gumboots world of New Zealand film. Her book is irresistible.' — Jane Campion
Dame Gaylene Preston is certainly remarkable. I worked with her during the filming of My Year With Helen (I was still photographer) and saw first-hand how she engages. To see her work and RUN through the halls of the United Nations with a cameraman in tow was quite extraordinary. She is a whirlwind - no one could keep up. It was a great privilege to see her in action, and I have no doubt this book is going to be just as thrilling (almost!).
Read about the book and pre-order it here.
Hundertwasser in New Zealand (July 2022), by Andreas J. Hirsch
Austrian-born artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser arrived in New Zealand in 1973, seeking refuge from a world out of kilter with nature. After travelling and exhibiting, he settled at Kaurinui, the land he bought and restored in the Bay of Islands.
Andreas Hirsch explores in superb, lucid prose the artist's trajectory in New Zealand, including the art, philosophy and architecture he created here, along with public projects like the Koru Flag and the Kawakawa Public Toilets. Illustrated with an array of paintings, drawings, sketches, photographs and the artist's writing, this book is itself an artistic statement that will connect with readers of all kinds and truly enshrine Hundertwasser as a New Zealand icon.
In this extract from the book, published in the NZ Herald, author Andreas Hirsch looks at beautiful paths along the spirals of life.
Read more and buy the book here.
News & opinions
Olivia Newton-John, singer and actress, dead at 73. Olivia Newton-John, the Australian singer whose breathy voice and wholesome beauty made her one of the biggest pop stars of the '70s and charmed generations of viewers in the blockbuster movie "Grease," died on Monday, according to a statement from her husband. She was 73. Read the BBC obituary.
Issey Miyake, famed Japanese fashion designer, dies aged 84. The designer was known for producing clothes that never creased and Steve Jobs’ black mock turtlenecks. Read the NY Times story, ‘Why Steve Jobs Chose This Designer’s Turtlenecks’ and the Guardian’s obituary.
Furor over documenta highlights a widening chasm in Germany. One of the art world’s most important events, Documenta, is at its halfway point. So far, a tiny fraction of the art has been the main topic of conversation. Read the story in the NY Times. This additional piece investigates Ruangrupa, the Indonesian group of collaborators who turns social experiences into art, and their legacy on the 100 day art fair.
Auction veteran Simon de Pury explains the bold business model for his latest auction, designed to benefit artists above all. The auction presents works exclusively by women artists made in the past three years. Read the story from Artnet.
In Sonoma, artist Olafur Eliasson and architect Sebastian Behmann have built a candy-coloured pavilion dedicated to tasting fine wine. The pavilion is part of Donum Estate, which in addition to its wines has cultivated a large sculpture collection. Read the story from Artnet.
More than Fjords: a new museum to put Oslo on the map. City administrators hope Norway’s new National Museum will help Oslo, and the rest of the country, step out of its Scandinavian neighbors’ shadows. Read the story from the NY Times.
France-based Māori artist and carver George Nuku in Vienna - visionary, masterful. Artist and carver George Tamihana Nuku (Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūwharetoa) is based in France and presenting powerful work all over Europe. Max Oettli attends the launch of his exhibition in Vienna, in a heat wave. Read the story from the NZ Herald.
Trying to contain William Klein in one show isn’t easy. An I.C.P. retrospective displays the groundbreaking exuberance and tabloid punch of a master photographer. Read the story from the NY Times.
Len Lye’s 1958 film ‘Free Radicals’, screened on the giant 65-metre tall LED screen that makes up the façade of M+. The M+ Façade lights up nightly and is visible across the harbour up to 1.5km away on Hong Kong Island. ‘Free Radicals’ screens alongside Paul Pfeiffer’s ‘Morning After the Deluge’, both from the M+ Collection, to complement the play of light and energy in the specially commissioned work, Ellen Pau’s ‘The Shape of Light’. If you're in Hong Kong, ‘Free Radicals’ will continue to be on display in the “Individuals, Networks, Expressions” exhibition in the M+ South Gallery until 5 Feb 2023.
Change and impermanence: a conversation between Kate Newby and Daria de Beauvais. Among the fourteen artists in Reclaim the Earth, currently on at Palais de Tokyo in Paris, in Texas-born Aotearoa artist Kate Newby. Curated by Daria de Beauvais, the exhibition seeks to uncover the links between body and land. Read the conversation in Contemporary HUM.
The Profile Dossier: Lynsey Addario, the War Photographer Capturing Our Collective Humanity. “I choose to live in peace and witness war—to experience the worst in people but to remember the beauty.” Read this Substack newsletter from Polina Pompliano.
Picasso & Company: The Artists Who (Finally) Conquered America. Hugh Eakin’s new book, “Picasso’s War,” features plenty of cultural heroes and heroines. Read the story from the NY Times.
Photography’s Delightful Obsessives. The Met surveys husband and wife duo Bernd and Hilla Becher, who turned Machine Age monuments into alluring collectibles. Read the story from the NY Times.
‘I’ve enjoyed my whole life, frankly’: artist Peter Saul on how he’s savouring the fruits of his unrepentantly eccentric career at age 87. The American painter proves his creative spark is still strong in a new show at Michael Werner Gallery in London. Read the story from Artnet.
An Afrocentric fashion boom in the streets and Presidential Palace. The wardrobe of Francia Márquez, Colombia’s first Black vice president, is the creation of a young designer at the centre of an Afro-Colombian fashion explosion. Read the story from the NY Times.
A sparse Connecticut county has become the secret centre of the art world. The opening of the Beecher Residency in Litchfield is final proof that Northwestern Connecticut has become the secret epicentre of the contemporary art world. Read the story from ARTnews.
In the Black Fantastic at Hayward Gallery review — visually stunning, intellectually cohesive. Ekow Eshun’s exhilarating exhibition shows black art on the move and creating fresh idioms. Read the story from the Financial Times.
Nicole McLaughlin’s designs are no joke. Her tongue-in-cheek approach to sustainable fashion sends a serious message: The only way to combat overconsumption is to produce less and repurpose more. Read the story from the NY Times.
Aotearoa New Zealand has a strong focus on community, and there is a ton of funding available for creatives, non-profits and curious minds. Yet if you're based here, there's a good chance you or someone you work with has been involved in a funding-dependent project - and put in many hours searching. My helping hand, Laura Cheftel, has created an interactive database of New Zealand funding sources. It is a searchable and filterable database that offers the ability to easily browse over 230 funds and development opportunities by type and target area. Find the resource here.
Helen Klisser During is recognised by Kea as a World Class New Zealander, is a Global Woman, and Ambassador of Auckland University of Technology.
The ArtCafé blog is put together with the help of Laura Cheftel.