Metonymy exhibition walkthrough

The last days.....

Well we had a wonderful performance evening on Wednesday - 50 -60 people turned up to listen to poetry, watch films and see three books being launched!

A reminder, Metonymy the exhibition will be on today and tomorrow (Saturday) from 3 pm - 8 pm. So please remind your friends and family to come. Entry is free. The Metonymy publication (featuring the work of all 27 pairings to complete) will be there for sale along with other merchandise - $8 to artists involved in Metonymy, $12 to members of the public.

Taking down work: This will be this SUNDAY, from 11 am. If you are exhibiting please come and take down/collect your work then. Let us know if you can't and we will make alternative arrangements - please note we don't have anywhere to store your work after Sunday.

Afterwards, some of us will be going over to Fordes Bar on Anzac Ave - Judith McNeil (one of the Poetry Live poets is having a poetry book launch there at 4.30 with music and food, and it's a cosy place to hang out, so come and join us if you want.

After a small breather (!) we are going to start planning for next year's Metonymy.... and applying for funding this time... so stay tuned!!

Renee

Metonymy performance evening - this Wednesday 21st

Starts at 8 pm at Cross St Studios, 27 Cross St, Newton.
Entry by koha, suggested $5.

The lineup so far is:

MCs Renee Liang and Christian Jensen

Spoken word/music/staged performance: Andra Jenkins, Michael Onslow-Osborne, Renee Liang + Cat Auburn, Shane Hollands, Doug Poole and Penny Howard, Carolyn McIvor, Miriam Barr, Daniel Larsen and Christian Jensen.

Video collaborations: Miriam Barr and Kate Barton, Daniel Trotter and Jonathan Fletcher, Cellulite Rose and Daniel Larsen

Book Launches: Dogmatism by Chris Kirk and Michael Botur, Cardiac Cycle by Cat Auburn and Renee Liang, Pathways by Makyla Curtis and Erin Gaffney.

The Metonymy Exhibition will be open for viewing from 3 pm. Open 3- 7 pm Wed-Sat (closes Saturday).

Metonymy Invite & Details

Metonymy Exhibition Opening Cross Street Studios
Wednesday 14th May 6pm
Performance Evening Wednesday 21st May 8pm
Gallery open 3 - 8pm Wednesday - Saturday

Cross Street Studios
Upstairs, 27 Cross Street, Newton
(There is a parking building down the Mercury lane end of Cross Street)

Metonymy Gig - May 10th!!

Well after a fun night last weekend at the Metonymy Poetry Slam it's the turn of the musos to support us... Come along to our fundraiser gig on May 10th, this Saturday. All money taken at the door will go to funding the exhibition and publication.
Only $5, London Bar, 8 til late
with:
Samuel Braverman (acoustic)
Craig Humphries (acoustic)
SCRAM (spoken word to music)
The Lastimes (rock)

Gmail issues

We're having a few issues with not all emails we send out via Gmail being received.
So please check your spam folders, and if at all possible set metonymy emails as 'not spam'.

If you need to contact us urgently, PLEASE feel free to call or text Hannah-May on 021 263 9013 (please call after 5 as she has one of those 'real' jobs).

Update - submissions

MAY 1st SUBMISSION DEADLINE
- Statement (if applicable)
- Photographs of work/still images - must be 300 dpi minimum (see email for delivery address if file size over 3megs)
- Work Title
- Dimensions of work
- Ideas on installation
- Any other works (poems perhaps) to go along side the images that you might like to appear in the publication as a part of your work. (Please note, if works are too long, excerpts may be taken)

These are for our reference so we start getting an idea of what this exhibition will look like and can start sourcing materials for presentation/hanging. And so that the publication can be put together in time for the exhibition. Just email these through to us at our email address, metonymy08@gmail.com. (Or post images to delivery address. If you need this address again, please send as an email)

The panel have requested to see the actual works which we are still working out the logistics of, but will get back to you about this soon. It is likely we will be asking for you to deliver works to Cross Street Studios by a date between the 5th and 9th of May, so please be prepared for this.

If you are creating products for the merch table we will need these by the 12th with a detailed description and pricelist.

If you are planning a performance for the performance evening (21st May) please advise us with estimated duration.

Written brief with metonymy work entry

After having a think about how the panel will be looking at your works we have decided that a brief piece of writing about your working process might be a good idea. This is NOT COMPULSORY, but it may be helpful for the panel in looking at how your work best interprets the ideas that embody the collaborative spirit of Metonymy. We are not looking for an epic novel, more like one to three paragraphs that outline your working process and the roles you each played within this.

Some things to think about when writing this:
- What processes were involved in creating your piece?
- How did you communicate ideas within your pairing?
- How did you integrate your separate practices into an holistic piece?
- What problems/limitations did you find? How did you overcome these?
- What commonalities did you find within your practices?
- How was 'balance' established within your relationship?

Poetry Slam - fundraiser - May 1st

To raise money to pay for our exhibition space, we are going to hold a fundaising Poetry Slam. A slam is a poetry tournament: watch (or take part) as some of Auckland's best performance poets take the stage to amaze, thrill, delight, disgust or awe. This is (probably) not poetry as you know it!
Rules are:

1. Poems must be your own
2. 3 minute time limit
3. Audience helps select the winner

Prizes: Winner gets $100 bar tab plus some other special prizes!

Overseen by the very scary Slammistress Renee and Slam Champion Christian Jensen.
$10, full bar/snacks/meals available. Enter for the poetry slam on the night - first in best dressed.

London Bar, 8pm, Thursday 1st May.

Announcing The Panel

We've managed to get some of the leading lights of NZ art and literature to agree to be on our Panel. These wonderful people will meet in the first week of May to choose the work for the exhibition and performance. Here is a little bit about them:

John Pule

Born in Niue, John Pule moved with his family to Auckland, New Zealand at the age of two. Mythology and history are of specific interest to John as he weaves fish, people and birdlike creatures into a very personal response to the colonisation of the Pacific. While his work is Pacific in subject and style he collects ideas and motifs voraciously and incorporates all into a rich network of interlacing imagery that, through its intimacy, touches on a more universal humanity. John Pule has exhibited extensively throughout New Zealand and the Pacific notably at the Seventh Festival of the South Pacific, Western Samoa 1996, the Asia Pacific Triennial, Queensland Art Gallery, and In Other Words at Te Papa, Wellington 1999. He is an accomplished writer having published two novels The Shark That Ate the Sun (Penguin 1992) and Burn my Head in Heaven (Penguin 1998) plus several volumes of poetry. Among many awards and honours, in 2004 he was honoured with the prestigious Laureate Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.

Evan Woodruffe

Evan Woodruffe has worked for over 20 years at Studio Art Supplies, and now heads it as Gordon Harris Ltd’s professional fine arts division. Studio Art Supplies has a strong relationship with the majority of art and design schools in Auckland providing creative and technical support. Evan is represented by Oedipus Rex gallery and has been exhibiting in galleries throughout New Zealand for over ten years.

Simona Albanese

Simona Albanese has a BA with Honours in Conservation Heritage Studies, Italy and a MA with Honours in Art History from the University of Auckland. She has worked in the art gallery of Palazzo Venezia and Palazzo Barberini in Rome. Simona is also the new Senior Curator of the James Wallace Arts Trust Gallery.

CK Stead

CK (Karl) Stead was one of the new New Zealand poets of the 1950s and '60s, and earned an international reputation as a literary critic. He has published twelve collections of poetry, two collections of short stories, six books of literary criticism, and edited a number of other books. He was Professor of English at the University of Auckland for twenty years, retiring in 1986 to write full-time. Among many other honours he is a member of the Order of New Zealand.

Genevieve McClean

Poet, writer, actor, singer and performance artist, Genevieve's work defies labelling. Her style constantly changes and intrigues. She represented NZ overseas in Slam Poetry back when most of us weren't even aware there was such a thing as slam poetry. She has worked in theatre, TV and feature films, and despite her status as a veteran artist, is still one of the youngest members of our (immensely young at heart) panel!

Matchups!!

For anyone who's been wondering who else is involved (come along to the meet+greets and you'll find out!), here are the matchups:

Visual artists - Literary Arists

Cat Auburn - Renee Liang
Erin Gaffney - Makyla Curtis
Catriona Johns - Sophie Childs
COMPONENT - Murray Lee
Julia Bellamy - Shane Hollands
Hannah-May Thompson - Penny Sommervaille
Kate Barton - Miriam Barr
Gabriel Frederlise - Rachael Heimann
Kristina Heep - Daniel Mainwaring
Lauren May - Ya Wen Ho
Penny Howard - Doug Poole
Michael Botur - Chris Kirk
Richard Kearney - Micheal Onslow-Osborne
Michaela Sherwood - Tracey Holden
Young Sun Han - Siobhan Harvey
Vincent Lum - Daniel Mayo-Turner
Fiona Holding - Jonathan Wright
Veronica Manchego - Lyall Quelch
Cellulite Rose - Daniel Larsen
Alix McIntegart - Christian Jensen
Eddie Dawn McCurdy - Olivia Macassey
Liam Davidson - Francisco Szekely
Mindy Catt - Ila Selwyn
Charlene Srhoj - Jamie Higgins
Jo Galvin - Anna-Kaye Forsyth
Daniel Trotter - Jonathan Fletcher
Bryna Foster - Carolyn McIvor
Meng Koach - Andra Jenkin
Beate Minderjahn - Rosetta Allan
Gus Simonovic - Judi Bagust
Pamela Wood - Jason M
Nick Tidmarsh - Martin Loire
Steven Lyons - Esteban Espinoza

So, um, what does "Metonymy" mean?

OK, so it is a strange word. When we first started throwing around ideas for names this one appealed because it means "a name of something standing in for the name of something else or concept, ie suit for businessmen or skirt for women." Which is kind of neat twisty artsy idea... but OK, we admit it, we chose the name mainly because it sounded cool.

Of course, any quick Google will show that Metonymy is, in fact a far more complicated idea with everyone from Freud to drama theorists to linguists playing with the idea. It's a concept with lots of interesting twists and turns of thought, in fact.

But is this discussion relevant to my collaboration?

Ummm. No! Do whatever you want, you definitely don't have to do something connected with 'Metonymy', however you choose to define it... though to start an argument we could naughtily suggest that 'all art is Metonymy' (hmmmmm!). We just thought it would be fun to mention what the word means.

FAQs #1

OK, here's a few FAQs we've been asked so far:

What is maximum size for works? can I make more than one?

Of course you can! make whatever you like, and push the boundaries!The maximum size for works is variable. Just be mindful of the fact that there will be a large range of other works that take many shapes and forms in the exhibition as well.The doorway to the gallery is 1.9m x .99m. Your work needs to be able to fit through this, so if working sculpturally your maximum width is 90cm, and height 180cm so we have some wriggle room. Multiple-pieced works are acceptable, but use 1.8m x 1.8m as a basic guide for the maximum size of an entire work.

I would like to collaborate with my partner/friend/flatmate/cat. May I?

Of course! Go for it!! But not for Metonymy.... remember the whole idea is to work with someone you don't know, and see what unusual creative sparks fly. If it sparks off your creativity so you want to collaborate with everyone you see, your long lost husband, the policeman, the gardener, John Banks (well OK, maybe not John Banks).... well fantastic! One of our aims is to generate as much artistic energy as possible. But remember, reserve some of your energy for working with your Metonymy partner. They are giving up their time to work with you, and expected standards for the exhibition will be high.

I've been paired with someone I'm a bit unsure of. May I swap?

Umm.... this is a hard one. We've done our best, using the information you've given us, to pair you with someone who matches you in terms of geographical location, transport needs, and artistic themes.. but not all matches are perfect. We ask that you at least meet with your partner once or twice and keep an open mind. If you find that it really is impossible for you to work together, then let us know and we will put you back in the "pool" and see if we can match you with someone else. Remember, if this happens we can't guarantee another match and you will also lose working time.

Who owns the work we make?

You both do. Equally. And remember, all works are for sale so if it gets sold, you split the money equally. Therefore it's important to ensure you are both happy with the amount of input you each have in the project. It's OK to create two intersecting parts as well (eg object+performance or object+text) so that you can each take a piece of the work with you at the end of the collaboration.

Who owns the copyright to the work if it gets sold?

We've consulted lawyers on this and the standard rule in NZ is that artists (ie, both of you equally) own the intellectual copyright to a work, ie you can reproduce it as image/text in, say, a book even after it is sold. Remember that since the assumption is that you have dual copyright that you should consult and acknowledge the other artist's input if you do reproduce the work later. Make sure you are comfortable with this before throwing your "best idea ever" into the communal cooking pot. That being said, don't be scared to chuck everything in....great ideas have a tendency to breed even better ideas.

Meet and greet #1

Hurray! The pairings have been done and everyone has been notified - you should have made contact with your partners by now. We'll post a list of pairings up shortly, and also announce the selectors for the exhibition.

The date for the first meet and greet is Wednesday the 26th of March, 6.30pm til late(!) at the Wine Cellar on K Road.

For those of you that haven't been there before, its a nice little bar (but they make coffee as well!) in St Kevin's Arcade (downstairs),179 K Road. This is a chance for you to meet everyone else involved in Metonymy and also your super duper organisers - Micky, Hannah, Renee, and Xian. We'll all be wearing a bright knitted flower somewhere so you can't miss us. Don't worry if you miss this one, we'll try and organise these little get togethers every couple of weeks for those that want to meet up and form some sort of buzzy artistic community! We'll also be organising a poetry slam and other events to raise money for the publication... more on that later.

Metonymy is part of the Auckland Writer's and Reader's Festival!!

Well not quite... we are a "fringe" event. An official fringe event, if that's not too mindbendingly oxymoronish. But they have been awesome to us so far... they've offered to help with promotion, to supply one or two of the exhibition selectors, and even sponsored us a place on their printed programme... thanks AWRF! You guys rock!!

Introducing Metonymy

What is it?

Metonymy08 is the first, in what we hope will be an annual event aimed at encouraging collaborations between artists and writers/poets. Each artist will be paired with a poet or writer, and over the period of one month you will work together to create a collaborative multi-disciplinary work, the best of which will feature in an exhibition at Cross St Studios in May as a fringe event of the Auckland Reader's and Writer's festival. There will also be a live performance event, various networking opportunities and possibly a publication.

Our mission statement

Forging new creative connections across the disciplines of visual and literary artists and providing an opportunity for artists to explore media outside their area of expertise. With an emphasis on equal creative pairings in which each artist will spark off one another. Exploration of new artistic disciplines such as graffiti art and electronic media will be encouraged. The collaboration works will be selected by a panel of prominent figures and acknowledged experts.

Important

As this is the first year Metonymy will run, artists must be Auckland-based and available over the time of the collaboration and exhibition (March-May).

How it works

You will be matched up with another artist - visual or literary. Over the period of one month you will work together to create a collaborative multi-disciplinary work.

How to Enter

Fill out the entry form (below, or email us for a hard copy) with full detail.
Clearly state if you would like to enter as a literary or visual artist.
Attach an example of your work.
Please ensure that this is contained within one A4 sheet.

For literary works please send us short works or excerpts. This work will not be judged - it will be used only in order to effectively match artists.

Communication with Metonymy will primarily be by email, so please ensure you check this often.

Selection

Due to odd numbers, venue restrictions or match up difficulties, not everyone will be accepted into Metonymy. You will be notified by the 15th of March via email if you have been accepted and who your collaboration partner will be. There is no charge for entry.

Selection and partnerships will be made by the organizers: Renee Liang, Makyla Curtis, Christian Jenson and Hannah May Thompson.

Selection of works for the exhibition/book will be made by a panel of established artists and authors, to be announced.

Conditions of Entry

Upon entering you are agreeing that you will put full effort into the collaboration with your partnered artist. You may only enter once, as either a literary or visual artist.

All collaboration works must be available for sale. No commission will be taken by Metonymy.
No responsibility will be taken for artworks by Metonymy. Of course all care will be taken with your work to ensure it is not damaged.

The decision of partnerships, selection and awards will be final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into. All unsold works will remain the property of both artists. Please note, your contact details will be given to your selected partner so they can contact you.