Exhibition confronts the changing city

As Auckland rings through massive changes, a Pakuranga gallery is hosting thought-provoking demonstrations from cities around the world.
Opening this weekend at Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, Rapid Change explores issues faced by cities undergoing major transformation, responding to the dramatic changes currently affecting Auckland.
While cities are continually in a state of flux, there are often periods of rapid change that dramatically shape urban landscapes and greatly affect their communities. Featuring nine New Zealand and international artists, with works focusing on Auckland, Detroit, Hong Kong, Liverpool and New York, the exhibition considers the politics and societal impact of change in the urban environment.
Curator Bruce E. Phillips feels this is a pertinent topic for Aucklanders right now as they are asked to consider the future shape of Auckland city.
"The rapid merger of eight regional councils into one 'Super City' government has set Auckland on a course of major transformation and we felt this was the perfect time to examine this in a global context."
One of the most striking examples is the work Ice House Detroit (2010) by US architect and artist Matthew Radune, and photographer Gregory Holm.
Over the freezing winter of 2009 - 2010 the pair turned a hose on an abandoned house in Detroit, one of over 20,000 foreclosed homes across the city. The artists worked 24 hour shifts to temporarily encase the entire house and its immediate surroundings in a thick layer of ice, creating a sensation within the local community and beyond.
Highlighting the dramatic impact of the US mortgage crisis that has been at the heart of the economic recession, their visually stunning installation is depicted in the exhibition through photograph and video documentation. Matthew Radune will be in Auckland for the opening of the exhibition and will deliver public talks about the project on July 14.
Against the scale of political decision-making and urban development, individuals and their opinions often seem dwarfed, even as they are affected. One of New Zealand's most accomplished artist film-makers, Peter Wareing has spent many years living and filming in the East Village of Manhattan, New York, observing the gentrification of the area and the resulting homelessness. Wareing's Utility Black (...) combines documentary and restaged footage to juxtapose the personal experiences of the inhabitants with the effects of city governance policies.
Auckland-based artist Elisapeta Heta aims to return a sense of empowerment to the ordinary citizen. Taking over the Te Tuhi foyer, the Mega Mall Information Centre shares the results of her research into the ongoing development of major shopping malls, using Albany, St. Lukes and Sylvia Park as case studies. Intending to shed light on the planning processes that result in such mega-malls, the work also raises the question, "how big is too big?"
Other works in the show take an intimate look into illegal rooftop dwellings in Hong Kong, examine recent commercial regeneration in the city of Liverpool and reflect on what might have been and what might lie in store for Auckland.
Te Tuhi director James McCarthy comments: "1950s American urban design theories had a huge impact on the layout and building of South Auckland, with enduring effects on urban lives and social wellbeing in this region. We want this exhibition to stimulate awareness of urban planning and other political decisions that affect the way we live day to day in the urban environment."
Ch-ch-ch-changes
Rapid Change is curated by Bruce E. Phillips.
The exhibition runs July 9-September 4.
Artists: Anu Pennanen, Dieneke Jansen, Elisapeta Heta, Gregory Holm, Matthew Radune, Peter Wareing, Stefan Canham, Reuben Moss and Rufina Wu
Exhibition opening event: Saturday, July 9, 2pm. Also opening will be a new drawing wall project from Jason Lindsay and Matt Ellwood. Get to the opening for free on the Artbus, departing Karangahape Rd 1.30pm.
Opening week artist talks: There will be two opportunities to hear visiting artist Matthew Radune speak about the work Ice House Detroit.
Radune will give a floor talk in the exhibition. 11am, Thursday, July 14, Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, 13 Reeves Rd, Pakuranga.
Radune will also give a lecture on Ice House Detroit and his broader practice as an artist and architect as part of the Easy Listening series. 6pm, Thursday, July 14, Elam Lecture Theatre, Elam School of Fine Arts, 20 Whittaker Place, Auckland. Free admission.