Fourth Most Popular - and world famous - in Papakura and around the globe

Papakura Art Gallery and social networking web site www.youtube.com are the venues for an innovative short video exhibition featuring the work of promising young local film-makers.

“Fourth Most Popular” features a cluster of short videos made by Papakura young people aged between 14 and 19. The name of the exhibition refers to a self-satire by the acclaimed Kiwi musical comic due Flight of the Conchords, who call themselves “Formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based comedy folk duo”.

The videos deliver messages about two important road safety issues: vehicle speed and driver behaviour at intersections.

It is the first time a Papakura Art Gallery exhibition has been featured on the internet. The project was set up with the help of Papakura District Council road safety officer Donna Dick.

Artist Facilitator Layne Waerea said each video explores how young drivers respond to speed and intersections.

"The students responded to the physical elements of this project, particularly the defensive driving courses at the Road Traffic Education Centre, in Ardmore. The student-drivers were put through a number of driving tests to assess reaction time when stopping at speed and when travelling through intersections. This gave them some experience of a less glamorous side of 'speed' and let them see the mistakes drivers make. The practical work helped them develop this experience into a message about traffic safety on video."

An opening ceremony on Saturday attracted 55 people. The exhibition’s web presence on youtube enables viewers to vote for their favourite, with an awards ceremony on 7 August. The videos can be viewed at the Papakura City Art Gallery until August 9 and at