By David Malacari - 16 Nov 2010
The last pieces of the programming jigsaw have fallen into place during recent trips to the Biennale of Dance in Lyon and Brisbane Festival in September...
It was a whirlwind trip to France, and one of the great dance
festivals of Europe, the Lyon Dance Biennale and my first ever
visit to Lyon, the second largest city in France, at the
convergence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, and the place to go for
a nice Cote du Rhone. Apparently the rivers ran red with
blood during the French revolution.
The town square, Place Bellecour, is the largest clear square in
Europe, 300 metres long and over 200 metres wide. It is an
extraordinary venue for civic events, uncluttered by proliferations
of immoveable garden furniture.
Eerily, the square was the scene of over 2,000 executions.
It is hard to imagine brutality practiced on such a scale, though
two of the festival presentations which will soon be released refer
to brutal events from two different parts of the world, both of
which resulted in persecution, hardship, deprivation and trauma for
millions of people.
Brisbane is a different city today from the one in which I lived
for a time in the early 80s when it was considered a cultural
backwater. The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is an amazing
building with the space to display the largest exhibitions. Not
normally one to find fashion compelling, even I was impressed by
the blockbuster Valentino exhibition which demonstrated the
extraordinary artistry of his clothes. The Brisbane
Powerhouse - a great venue built in an old power station and the
Judith Wright Centre, are venues which Auckland should envy.
Brisbane is a city which, over the last twenty years, has
re-invented itself an important cultural centre which recognises
the importance of the Arts to its reputation and
liveability. Auckland is in the process of doing the
same and we are proud of the contribution that the Auckland Arts
Festival is making.
Although it's the fifth Festival, it's the first in which the
word 'Arts' has been used to clearly say that what we are, and what
we do, is provide our city with unique and wonderful experiences
that connect our own arts with those of the rest of the world.
You may have seen the Metro story about the Festival's White
Night; where I spoke about how we will bring Auckland alive for one
night as galleries and museums stay open until late with special
exhibits. 2011 will be the first time such an event has been held
in this part of the world. Modelled on the Parisian Nuit Blanche,
free for all-ages, I envisage White Night becoming an annual staple
of Aucklanders' arts appetites.
Aotea Square has opened after redevelopment and is already being
snapped up as a venue for upcoming events. It will look beautiful
once the Festival Garden, with a bar and café, and Pacific Crystal
Palace Spiegeltent are set up. The Garden Theatre, a specially
constructed pool and seating for the Vietnamese Water Puppets, will
also be installed in the Square during the Festival.
The Festival office has been busy as final details are confirmed
before the programme goes public. Patrons and sponsors have been
briefed about shows and already the feedback has been very
positive. Early interest has us thinking certain shows will be fast
sellers so if you are a Friend of the Festival, be sure to take
advantage of your priority booking period.
If you're not a Friend, remember that public bookings
open on Monday 23 November!
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