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A wealth of arts and culture at NZ IceFest

Thursday 20 September 2012, 3:06PM

By Christchurch City Council

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CHRISTCHURCH

More than 20 artists, photographers, poets, writers and composers, musicians and performers are bringing a wealth of art and culture to NZ IceFest.

NZ IceFest Director Jo Blair says art and culture forms a vital part of the Antarctic community.

“When we talk about ‘real Antarcticans’ we might think first of scientists or explorers but it’s the people connected to arts and culture who help us imagine what it might be like to go there. They can transport us to a place where many of us will never get to go.”

A series of talks supported by the Christchurch Art Gallery and Creative New Zealand bring well-known names to NZ IceFest’s UC Geo Dome, including poet and writer Bill Manhire, designer David Trubridge, photographer Anne Noble, composer/musician Dave Dobbyn, composer Chris Cree Brown and photographer Laurence Aberhart.

Tonight [20 September] a presentation of Antarctic music and sonic art by composers Chris Cree Brown (NZ), Phil Dadson (NZ), Cheryl Leonard (USA), Douglas Quin (USA) and Patrick Shepherd (UK/NZ) explores the sounds and vivid landscape of Antarctica.

And on Friday [21 September], These Rough Notes,  a collaborative performance by some of New Zealand's best-known artists,  includes texts by poet Bill Manhire set to music by composer Norman Meehan, sung by Hannah Griffin and interwoven with the images of photographer Anne Noble. Those who lived and died on the ice are remembered in the performance.

Two exhibitions, Jane Ussher and the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Still Life: Inside the Antarctic Huts of Scott and Shackleton and Ruth Watson’s from white darkness, part of Christchurch Art Gallery’s Outer Spaces programme, are on NZ IceFest’s Hagley Park ‘Ice Station’ site for the month-long festival.

Meanwhile, Ice at Form Gallery presents an exhibition of cast and shattered glass, illustrating the world’s fragile beauty while referencing Antarctica. Ice Records at The National presents work by Kirsten Haydon and explores Antarctica’s cultural and environmental significance.

The overwhelming nature of Antarctica presents artists with an enormous challenge, says Marianne Hargreaves, NZ IceFest Cultural Coordinator.

“Many artists, having been to Antarctica, are confronted on their return with the challenge of working out how their chosen medium can possibly express what they have experienced. For some it takes years to come to a point where they feel satisfied that they can form and fulfil their vision.”

For full information on talks, performances and exhibitions at NZ IceFest visit http://www.nzicefest.co.nz