Objectspace is a new initiative that will provide a much needed permanent home and focus for object-making in Auckland and (like its visual arts counterpart, Artspace) will look beyond Auckland and engage with people around the country with an interest in object-making.
Objectspace is a new initiative that will provide a much needed permanent home and focus for object-making in Auckland and (like its visual arts counterpart, Artspace) will look beyond Auckland and engage with people around the country with an interest in object-making.
We need your support to make Objectspace a reality. We have a great idea, which we have run through Creative New Zealand. Subject to some further developments, Creative New Zealand has indicated that is willing to give
serious consideration to taking on Objectspace as a recurrently funded arts organisation. This would be a major step forward for a sector that is comparatively under resourced, compared to other artforms.
We have produced a great deal of material on Objectspace, including a feasibility study, a full business plan and a full-colour promotional brochure. We can't send these documents to everyone, but we can summarise
the key features of Objectspace for you.
Objectspace will focus on the practice of object-making and proclaim the power of objects as distinctive markers of time and culture. It will provide a public gallery for exhibitions, projects and events that celebrate the depth and breadth of New Zealand contemporary craft and design. Objectspace
will:
- Promote new artists, new work, new visions, new concepts
- Present contemporary and historically focused exhibitions and events
- Stimulate critical awareness and dialogue
- Support experimental and innovative practice
- Provide new opportunities for audiences, makers, curators and writers
Objectspace will be a centre for everyone involved or interested in craft and design, for all those who make, buy, collect or use objects. It will offer a forum for makers, students, teachers, curator and writers and provide the stimulus for further creativity. Objectspace will inspire
resident Aucklanders and visitors alike. It will be a meeting place for all of us who enjoy the cultural uniqueness and diversity of Aotearoa.
While we wait for news from Creative New Zealand regarding annual funding, we continue to advance plans to establish Objectspace. In 2001 we received funding from the Creative Cities programme for a twelve-month contract to advance the idea and further project funding from Creative New Zealand for the first Objectspace exhibition, Handycraft, which opens at te tuhi - the mark in Pakaranga on 9 November. JOT and Objectspace also received
assistance from the Goethe Institut for a symposium for contemporary jewellers. Otto Kunzli, Professor of Goldsmithing at the Akademie der Bildenden Kunste, Munich presented a lecture and took part in the symposium
discussions.
However, the success of Objectspace depends on demonstrating that it has the support of the sector. The most effective way to demonstrate this is through
a membership programme, which we have set in place. The annual membership fee is $50 and $25 for students. Members will be offered a range in benefits, including:
- Rights to attend the Annual General Meeting of Objectspace and elect members to the Board of Trustees
- Invitations to all Objectspace exhibitions and events
- Advance notice of special events such as conferences and workshops,
- Discounts on Objectspace publications
Clearly Objectspace will not be able to deliver the benefits above to members until it has been established. However, your involvement at this critical stage is important for two reasons: when you become a member of Objectspace you will signal your support for the idea of establishing a
permanent home for object-making (this is a very important for our case to Creative New Zealand for funding) and you will also be helping with our fundraising campaign to enable us to launch Objectspace in the New Year.
We hope that you will become a member of Objectspace. If you decide to support the new venture, you can pay by making out a cheque to Objectspace and posting to;
P.O. Box 5072 Wellesley St. Auckland.
Fundraising is an important part of the work we must carry out before the Arts Board of Creative New Zealand meets in December so we hope you will be able to take up your membership immediately. In the unlikely event that
Objectspace fails to materialise, we will return your membership fee in full.
We are currently running a fundraising campaign aimed at attracting at least $30,000 and up to $75,000. If you would like to make a contribution to this campaign, over and above your membership fee, you can send us a cheque or
pledge an amount you are willing to pay, subject to confirmation that Creative New Zealand has agreed to fund our organisation.
Finally, below is a list of the people who have been involved in the development of Objectspace. They have all made a huge personal commitment to the project and their support will, I am sure, give you the confidence to back this idea. It's time to roll out Objectspace and all the signs are
pointing to a successful launch in the New Year.
Please circulate this letter to anyone you think would be interested in supporting Objectspace.
This is a wonderful opportunity to participate in and support this unique project. Your support will make a difference.
With kind regards
Warwick Freeman
Chair
Allan Botica, Senior Counsel of Botica Butler Raudon (public relations)
Mary Curtis, jeweller and lecturer, MSVA, University of Auckland at Manukau
Deborah Crowe, artist, senior lecturer, MSVA, University of Auckland at
Manukau, recent guest curator for the Dowse Art Museum
Moyra Elliot, ceramist, exhibition curator, freelance writer
Warwick Freeman, jeweller (Chair)
Maggie Gresson, executive director for Artists Alliance
Humphrey Ikin, designer and object-maker
Chris Jackson, Business man with an interest in the sector
(Secretary & Treasurer)
Helen Jones, designer
Frances Joseph, lecturer in design at Auckland University of Technology
Noel Lane, architect
Douglas Lloyd Jenkins, design historian and lecturer, Unitec
John Parker, ceramicist, set designer, writer
Angela Roper, director Eon Design Centre
David Trubridge designer
Louis leValliant, curator of decorative arts at the Auckland Museum
Frances Walsh, journalist
Areta Wilkinson, jeweller and lecturer, Unitec
Tanya Wilkinson, arts advisor, Waitakere City Council, freelance exhibition
curator with DOT
Creative New Zealand staff Elizabeth Caldwell and Philip Clarke