Biennale praise for Kiwi pavilion

One small frame of New Zealand's entry in the Venice Biennale. PICTURE / JOAN STREET

JOAN: The Venice Biennale has been a huge artistic event in that artistic city since 1895. Set in the beautiful Giardini Publici which edge the lagoon, more than 50 countries were represented this year in pavilions set around the two main areas.

Some of the buildings dated back to the early days of the event and reflected in their architecture, the styles of their homelands. As the interest in the occasion has grown, new countries have exhibited in palazzi around the city, adding up to another 155 venues!

Mike and I spent two amazing days at the Biennale in October. As individual artists were also featured outside of their country's entries, there was a vast array of art to view — most of it very 'avant garde'. Certain pavilions had obviously pleased the critics and queues formed outside the Russian, Chinese, Canadian, Japanese ... and New Zealand exhibitions! We felt so proud as we entered the darkened, long room across which slowly moved a painted panorama of the Pacific islands and on to which had been screened events of early settlement days, all pre-acted by New Zealand and Island actors. Many of the countries declared strongly the outrage felt by indigenous peoples of their land over their colonisation or racist cruelty. New Zealand showed this too but gently and with work that drew the art lovers to it.

Many congratulations to Lisa Reihana, the chosen New Zealand artist.

It is almost impossible to describe the huge range of art on display, from paintings, water displays, sculptures, sounds, Braille work and so much more. What moved me most, however, was not the large expensive works, though I did indeed marvel at some of these. In one bare space there was, hanging on one wall, a plastic envelope. Very few people noticed it and walked by. I took from the envelope a list of names. There were the names of every citizen of Kosovo, for this was their tiny pavilion, who had lost their life during the ethnic cleansing of the Kosovo Wars.

MIKE: Finally settling in to a normal Whanganui weekend routine, I found life as hectic as ever. Friday evening was the opening of two shows at the Rayner Brothers Gallery in Glasgow Street, one exhibiting Timon Maxey's paintings. His landscapes are minimalist representations, in dark, sombre colours, of well known New Zealand sights, such as Mitre Peak. Hills, skies, lakes — all are simply yet effectively presented. This exhibition is paired with Mark and Paul's annual pre-Xmas event, offering 50 artists a basic ceramic on which to indulge their personal preferences. The title, The Elephant in the Room, is a clue to this year's theme! The room itself was absolutely packed, people elbow to elbow, struggling to avoid soaking a person — or an elephant! — with a glass of wine. As I squeezed through the jam at the door, I trod on the toes of someone who wincingly accepted my abject apology. We have a very understanding mayor! Sorry, Hamish! Finding the names of the artists was not an easy task, as many descriptors were at waist level. To read them entailed either stepping backwards or bending forward, both impractical manoeuvres in such a throng. I shall return when I can wander at my leisure. It really is a great compliment to the brothers that such numbers gravitate to their exhibition openings.

A mild and still morning persuaded me to go to the Saturday market, a real treat for our bichon, who loves trotting around a forest of legs, sniffing all the different smells and greeting other dogs. As we wandered along the boardwalk, I noticed a mother duck gathering up her brood of five ducklings — two bright yellow, three dark brown! From there I paid a brief visit to NZ Glassworks, where a pre-Xmas sale was in progress. I was impressed, especially by the creations of Philip Stokes and Heina Petzold,

A frantic afternoon began with the Lyric Singers' Concert at St Mary's. As always, the choir entertained the audience with a polished and enjoyable performance of a well balanced programme. Special mention, however, must be made of the two guest artists, Elin Tomos and Airini Beautrais. The latter read some of her own poetry, relating to the Whanganui district. Her measured, low-key delivery, expressing the melodic rhythms of her verses, added an extra dimension to the afternoon. For me, the highlight was the glorious voice of Elin, a mezzo soprano, whose poise, elegance, expressions and ease of projection all combined to produce a quite stunning performance. Her skill in gliding up to the top notes in Nella Fantasia — made famous by Andrea Bocelli — and the beautifully modulated tones of You Raise Me Up were exceptional. She thoroughly deserved the standing ovation she received.

Straight from St Mary's to the Milbank Gallery, to ask Martin Law questions about his paintings. On first sight they are simply buildings — houses, offices, theatres, factories — which have been skilfully drawn. A closer examination, however, reveals so much more. Martin uses broad brush strokes, explaining that 'their texture suits architecture', and, on revisiting a work, their influence assists him in developing it further. There is a contrast, he finds, between 'the photographic sharpness of the architecture and the emergence of new worlds'. If you look carefully, you will be rewarded with finding other images. Martin described it as one's 'eyes tuning in' to the work.

My final visit, only an hour later, was to Space Gallery, for the opening of Sandy de Kock's The Joy of Fauvism and My Favourite Books. Vivid, vibrant and vivacious — these epithets could be applied equally to the artist and her works. Her paintings shout at the viewer in powerful, strident colours, the basic tenet of the Fauvist group. Each of the six canvases is based upon an extract from a book she enjoyed, such as Catcher in the Rye and Lolita. An excellent show, rounding off my seventh event in 24 hours. A great weekend.

Unfortunately, aviary duties prevented me from adding to the list by heading for the river for Sunday's Billy Webb Challenge. But mention of the awa reminds me of Plumber Dan's Duck Race on December 2, with proceeds going to Jigsaw, a most worthy cause. You would be quackers to miss it!

mjstreet@xtra.co.nz