This month, designers, architects, filmmakers and creatives are bringing their vision of our shared urban future to Auckland. Part of Creative Cities - a cultural and artistic project promoting global citizenship across East Asia - Re-Imagining the City includes an exhibition and performance by a London-based collective of artists, known as D-Fuse. Director and founder Michael Faulkner gives us the low-down on this multimedia group with a mission - This month, designers, architects, filmmakers and creatives are bringing their vision of our shared urban future to Auckland. Part of Creative Cities - a cultural and artistic project promoting global citizenship across East Asia - Re-Imagining the City includes an exhibition and performance by a London-based collective of artists, known as D-Fuse. Director and founder Michael Faulkner gives us the low-down on this multimedia group with a mission -During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Either first thing in the morning or last thing at night, the middle is always a blur.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Digital, lo-fi, hi-fi, analogue - someone who embraces old and new technologies.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
The end product - the creative process is always so stressful! However, I am learning to appreciate the moment.

How do you think your environment affects your work?
Living in a busy hub of a city like London makes me see things in a fluid way. Cities offer access, choice and options.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
People say I'm obsessive - detail is good, but it's also a hindrance.

What, in your view, is the most important role that artists play in the shaping of our present day cities and how do you see that role changing in the future?
Everybody is important in shaping the city, involving artists is a good thing as they bring a new refreshing vision.

Collaboration seems to be an important part of how D-Fuse work. What is it about this approach that appeals to you?
Working with people from different disciplines always produces new and interesting perspectives.

Cutting edge technology is used frequently in D-Fuse's installations, which examine issues such as global consumption, urban space and disused technology. In what ways does your choice of medium affect and influence your message?
We are interested in all aspects of technology, new and old. Presenting ideas and issues in new ways. We want to seduce the viewer - we are using similar processes to advertising but not selling anything!

What's the concept behind D-Fuse's new work, Surface, which has its world premiere in Auckland on October 18?
As the world population continues to move to urban centres, growing numbers of people contest a limited supply of space as their place for living. This brings with it a whole range of issues, ranging from environmental sustainability to the living standards and human rights of those at the bottom of the social scale.

Surface is a on-going collaboration. We will be travelling to nine cities in Asia - Auckland is the first. We create an A/V live performance and run an artistic residency/workshop in each city.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) as an artist?
Treat all projects the same, regardless of the budget. Stick at it. Things will take longer to happen than you think.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Small Global, because we were given an open brief and we produced something we really care about.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
My 18-month-old daughter Edie, my nice new Ricoh digital still camera, coming to New Zealand and meeting great friendly people.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Animator.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
I think New Zealand, but this is my first visit so we'll see how it goes.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
The best way is with images so it becomes a soundtrack and gives the images life.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A screen to project on.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Working in new technologies is always stressful and challenging - Picasso said something like: "I am always doing things I can't do - that's how I get to do them" (although Picasso worded it better!).

What's great about today?
Yeah, what is good about today?! It's cloudy, drizzly and cold! Reminds me of home...

16/10/07

Re-Imagining the City Events
Presented by British Council, onedotzero and MIC Toi Rerehiko

Panel: Re-Imagining the City
6.30pm Weds 17 Oct Galatos FREE

Screening: graphic cities
8pm Weds 17 Oct Galatos FREE

Exhibition: Small Global + Undercurrent
18 Oct - 14 Dec MIC Gallery FREE
6.30pm Thurs 18 Oct Opening

Performance: Surface
8pm Thurs 18 Oct Galatos $20/$15