Historic cut-outs 'Art Deco' to a T

IN THE FRAME: Cam Ward (left), Laine Evans and Simon Tremain, with some of the new cut-out Art Deco posters which will appear throughout Napier during Art Deco Week. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

It may not quite be the Art Deco era equivalent of today's internet generation "selfies" but the smart new mini-billboards which will appear around the streets of Napier for next weekend's Tremains Art Deco celebration are close enough.

And the idea to set up mini-billboards in the form of large cardboard cut-outs for people to pose through, struck a positive chord for Tremains managing director Simon Tremain given that during last year's big weekend he was out of town - although making appearances here and there courtesy of a large cardboard cut-out of himself.

"We were looking to do something a little different to add to the whole weekend and people like to take photographs of all the art deco things. So we thought here's an idea - they can also get a photo of themselves, in art deco," Mr Tremain said.

Ten posters will be created - the first five being the familiar artworks commissioned by the i-Site and which have been put up on the entranceways to Napier.

The second five will be based on old Art Deco Weekend posters from past events.

"The posters are fantastic and we're sure they'll go down well."

Mr Tremain said the i-Site had stepped into the frame to support the idea as they allowed the commissioned artwork images to be used.

"They will go up in all sorts of places during the weekend - anywhere things are happening."

The first ones will be placed around the central city next Friday, with appropriate sandbag secures in case the winds get up.

Some will also pop up on the Wednesday after Art Deco Weekend at the Legends of Cricket Match at Clifton.

They will come equipped with photo frames for people to get snaps of themselves or their friends peering through the face holes.

Included in the line-up is the vintage motorcyclist, taking tea in front of the Dome, overlooking the Masonic while enjoying a wine, a spot of golf, and wading in the waters of the Tom Parker Fountain.