Beside Venice the Sao Paulo is the oldest and most important Biennial in the world. Founded in 1951 and staged in the immense 30,000 square meters pavilion designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the 26th Sao Paulo Bienal will attract 140 artists from 60 countries.

Taking this year's topic Image Smuggler, New Zealand curator Tobias Berger (ARTSPACE Auckland) invited artists to send a souvenir as part of Remember New Zealand to Sao Paulo.

26TH Sao Paulo Bienal: 25 September to 19 December 2004
Beside Venice the Sao Paulo is the oldest and most important Biennial in the world. Founded in 1951 and staged in the immense 30,000 square meters pavilion designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the 26th Sao Paulo Bienal will attract 140 artists from 60 countries.

Taking this year's topic Image Smuggler, New Zealand curator Tobias Berger (ARTSPACE Auckland) invited artists to send a souvenir as part of Remember New Zealand to Sao Paulo.

26TH Sao Paulo Bienal: 25 September to 19 December 2004
36 New Zealand artists to take part in the 26th Sao Paulo Bienal

Why souvenirs? They were the first "exotic" artifacts that were transplanted into modern societies. They have represented and influenced the aesthetics over time, and served as points of entry and understanding into foreign cultures. From very early on, rather than being original artifacts, souvenirs have been specifically produced for the tourist market. Often they are the only image people have of foreign countries and have quietly entered and affected the common taste. A classic image smuggler.

The South Pacific as well as New Zealand has always been one of the world's  dream destinations. As such peoples knowledge of the area is often through others souvenirs, the picture of the islands glorified by artist/tourist Paul Gauguin, TV episodes of Loveboat and evenings at home viewing family slide shows of fondly remembered vacations. Tourism and Foreign Education are two of New Zealand's biggest industries, and a huge part of the national economy and identity. Over time these industries have placed an untold number of souvenirs in homes all around the world.

Biennials are also classic tourist attractions, staged to bring additional visitors to a destination. Visitors come to see work by artists from other countries and societies, a little like visiting a world fair or a colonial museum. Art professionals travel halfway around the world to see what people from all over the world are doing.

Remember New Zealand utilizes the idea of the souvenir as the foundation of the New Zealand contribution to the 26 Bienal of Sao Paulo 2004. 36 New Zealand artists will send a souvenir to Sao Paulo. This big collection of different artifacts will not only underline New Zealand's wide range of different cultures but will also serve as a critical voice to biennials and cultural tourism. The works will be displayed on a "made in Sao Paulo" display/platform/object by Jason Lindsay. Developing and constructing it in situ will ensure a site-specific display for the Brazilian Megacity.

Participating Artists.
Billy Apple, Dan Arps, Steve Carr, Derrick Cherrie, Paul Cullen, Judy Darragh, Andrea du Chatenier, Violet Faigan, Megan Ruth Hansen-Knarhoi, Niki Hastings-McFall, Lonnie Hutchinson, Douglas Kelaher, Sean Kerr, Richard Killeen, Joanna Langford, Peter Madden, Daniel Malone, Richard Maloy, Dane Mitchell, El Budd, Kate Newby, Ani O'Neil, Michael Parekowhai, Reuben Paterson, Lisa Reihana, John Reynolds, Natalie Robertson, Peter Robinson, AD Schierning, Jim Speers, Yuk King Tan, Francis Upritchard, Terry Urbahn, Rohan Wealleans, Ri Williamson and Jason Lindsay

For more information please contact
Tobias Berger
ARTSPACE
300 Karangahape Road
PO Box 68418, Newton, Auckland
New Zealand//Aotearoa
phone +64 9 3034965  fax +64 9 3661842
tobias@artspace.org.nz
www.artspace.org.nz

Remember New Zealand is generously supported by Creative New Zealand.

Current Exhibitions: 13 August - 11 September 2004
Main galleries - The Bed You Lie In, annual new artists exhibition
Artists - Eve Armstrong, Kah-Bee Chow, Daniel Du Bern, Finn Ferrier, Rachael Grant, Kim Paton, Louise Tulett, Marnie Slater and Tao Wells.

POP-IN Room - Thomas Bayrle

Music in Stairwell - Radioqualia

HOURS Tuesday - Friday 10-6 / Saturday 11-4

ARTSPACE is a charitable trust whose mission is to present cutting edge contemporary art. ARTSPACE receives major public funding from Creative New Zealand. Join the crusade, become an ARTSPACE member.
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