Art at Britomart | Public art precinct, artworks, art events
Art at Britomart
SINCE THE EARLIEST DAYS OF THE PRECINCT, ART HAS HAD A VITAL ROLE IN SHAPING THE IDENTITY OF BRITOMART – AND REMAINS ESSENTIAL TO BRITOMART’S UNIQUE SENSE OF PLACE.
The founding vision for Britomart is a place that expresses the spirit and identity of contemporary New Zealand, by bringing together and celebrating its art, architecture, heritage, culture and commerce.
Today the precinct is home to the studios of many visual artists and designers and the HQs of performing arts organisations. Artworks can be found throughout the public spaces and private foyers of the precinct, and installations and public art events are regularly held here.
Through the ongoing commitment of Cooper and Company and others in the Britomart community, art will always be an essential part of the cultural fabric of the precinct.
Charitable arts trust
In 2004, Britomart owner Cooper and Company established the Britomart Arts Foundation, a charitable trust responsible for promoting the arts within the precinct. It was endowed with an initial sum of $1 million, settled as part of the Britomart development agreement.
Since then, the Foundation has funded a number of art-based events and installations at Britomart. Its most recent commission is the large-scale interactive multimedia installation SCOUT, located in Takutai Square.
The Britomart Arts Foundation also supports Britomart Project Space in Stanbeth House. This informal gallery space hosts several exhibitions a year of work from emerging and established New Zealand artists.
Named for the zenith star Pou Tū Te Rangi, Chris Bailey’s magnificent group of seven black pou reference family, community and Britomart’s early Māori and maritime histories.
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Art Week returns to Auckland from 26 October to 4 November 2012, and a number of Britomart artworks feature in guided walks as part of a citywide festival of art.
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One of the earliest artworks to be established at Britomart was Pipi Beds, completed by Chaz Doherty. It references one of the important early food sources for Maori in the area.
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The migratory journey of the kuaka, or bar-tailed godwit, is captured in Sally Smith’s latest installation, ‘Here Just For Summer’, now showing at Britomart Project Space.
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This unique art space in the window facade of the refurbished Stanbeth House exhibits a regularly changing line-up of work by New Zealand artists.
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Award-winning artist Gregor Kregar's new installation at Britomart Project Space playfully examines space, light and form to dazzling effect.
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The importance for Auckland of preserving its historic buildings is highlighted this month with the switching on of a new light-based installation artwork by John Radford.
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The new 8m-tall interactive multimedia work in Takutai Square was inspired by the mysterious monolithic machines in Arthur C. Clarke’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’.
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Brilliant native flora and fauna by stencil artist Hayley King, aka Flox, add vibrancy and life to the central walls at Britomart Car Park – as well as offering a valuable navigation guide to visitors.
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