Two exhibitions from the 2007 Venice Biennale - Aniwaniwa by New Zealand artists Brett Graham and Rachel Rakena, and Russian artist collaborative AES+F's video work Last Riot - will show as part of the City Gallery's programme for the 2008 New Zealand International Arts Festival. "Seeing the impact of these different but equally powerful works in Venice, I was determined to bring them to Wellington," says Paula Savage, Director City Gallery.

Image: Rachael Rakena and Brett Graham, Aniwaniwa (2007).Moscow-based artists Tatiana Arzamasova, Lev Evzovich, Evgeny Svyatsky and Vladimir Fridkes, who make up AES+F, are hoping to join their work in Wellington for the Festival. Star of the Russian Pavilion's group exhibition in Venice 2007, Last Riot is a three channel video work that explores the dehumanising effect of a constant media bombardment of images of violence and war.

In a fantasy land, reminiscent of computer gaming, war looks like an enticing game to take part in. Highly-stylised images of beautiful young people invoke Benetton commercials but are loaded with graphic actions of violence, more akin to video gaming. Set to the music of Wagner, the youths riot and struggle in a bloodless, eternal war which demonstrates no difference between aggressor and victim.

While the sinking city of Venice provided the perfect setting for Aniwaniwa, with its watery themes of submersion to represent cultural loss, Wellington is savouring the chance to host its triumphant return to New Zealand. Aniwaniwa was selected by Venice Biennale curator Professor Robert Storr as a Biennale Collateral event.

Rachael Rakena (Ngai Tahu, Nga Puhi) and Brett Graham (Ngati Koroki Kahukura) not only highlight the flooding of the Waikato village of Horahora to create Lake Karapiro, but also use flooding and immersion to reflect on the international issues of rising sea levels and global warming. Aniwaniwa is a collection of wakahuia (treasure boxes) with internal projections and sound components suspended from the ceiling. The soundtrack by Whirimako Black and Deborah Wai Kapohe, with Paddy Free of Pitch Black, further adds to its intensity.

When: 23 February - 15 June 2008
Where: City Gallery Wellington

7/11/07

Image courtesy of Jennifer French.