Impromptu jam sessions a highlight

When I was choosing what to play for this concert, I threw in a few traditional Maori song forms, thinking they would come in handy. It turns out that they are the most satisfying material to play on He Korero Purakau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu (The Story Of  A New Zealand River - The carved piano).

I have been playing and improvising on tunes like E Pari Ra and Tutiramai Nga Iwi by myself,  it was lovely to be joined by Auckland singer Tamsyn Matchett on Friday and Saturday of last week for renditions of Pokarekare Ana and Hine e Hine. Tamsyn happened to be in Venice and showed up at the New Zealand pavilion.

This and other impromptu concerts have been happening every few days. Two Argentinean guys played Boogie-Woogie duets and sang together last week too. Tamsyn and I also played some jazz numbers and a very young resident of the Palazzo has been joining me for a jam session each day after kindergarten. Video and pictures to come!

Blogged from Venice by Dan Hayles - Pianist and Venue attendant

Dan Hayles sitting at Chapman's Homer 2011

Dan Hayles and Tamsyn Matchett perform an impromtu concert.

On First Looking In …

Justin Paton raises a significant question: ‘In a city where everyone is visiting and no one has enough time, will [people] find themselves slowed down by Parekowhai’s arrangement?’[1] Two weeks on from the frenetic pace of the Vernissage, the answer is unequivocally ‘yes’. Many arrive exhausted and most find a moment of repose.

From the San Francisco gallery consultant who followed the music and left her yoga mat at the door, the Mexican pianist who raced from her national pavilion to be photographed ‘playing’ the bronze piano before the weather turned, to the young couples dancing to Daniel’s jazz, the show seems to stop almost everyone in their tracks. Some stay for hours, others return several days in a row. In the heat of the Venetian sun it becomes a sanctuary, in the rain a shelter.

Whatever it is that draws them in – the beguiling tones of the carved piano borne on the jasmine-scented air, perhaps? It is certain that for such a recent arrival to Venice, On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer has an uncanny ability to make the many feet wearied by pounding the path of the Biennale feel remarkably at home.

Also take a look at our official video of the opening, and Jenny Harper's tour of the exhibition (shot and produced by Michael Hall).

Blogged from Venice by Elizabeth Lochhead.

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[1] Paton, J. ‘Weighing In, Lifting Off: Michael Parekowhai in Venice’. Michael Parekowhai: On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer. Michael Lett & Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2011, p. 27.

 
Chapman's Homer  2011 in the garden at the Palazzo Loredan dell 'Ambasciatore.

 

Visitor interaction with 'Chapman's Homer 2011'

 

A visitor 'playing' Chapman's Homer 2011)

Applications open for venue attendants for the New Zealand exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2011

Creative New Zealand is seeking Venue Attendants to assist with the supervision and promotion of the New Zealand exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2011. The assignment will be for approximately 6 weeks duration between the period of June to mid October 2011.

Attendants will travel to Venice and be accommodated at Creative New Zealand’s expense. Attendants will receive an allowance to meet their cost of living expenses.

Candidates should have as a minimum the following sets of skills:

•     A Bachelor’s Degree in Music majoring in Piano Performance or Grade 8 or above in piano from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Trinity Guildhall College, Australian Guild of Music & Speech, or equivalent, and
•     Experience playing contemporary classical music and/or jazz on piano.

Or

•     Fluency in Italian and one other language (apart from English) and
•     A Bachelors degree on Art History and a knowledge and understanding of contemporary visual arts (including the New Zealand arts sector).

All candidates must have:

•     The ability to write and upload material on to social networking sites.
•     A good understanding of the arts and culture of Aotearoa/New Zealand
•     A current New Zealand passport.

Download the full job description to apply under the category:

• Music/piano qualification
• Italian/language skills

To apply, please email a cover letter and your Curriculum Vitae to recruitment@creativenz.govt.nz 

Applications close at 9.00am Monday 7 March 2011.

E ngā mātā waka o te motu, e ngā karangatanga maha, te iti me te rahi  tēnā koutou katoa, he karere he panui tenei e pa ana ki etahi tunga hou is Toi Aotearoa mo te hunga e hiahia ana kia mahi ai i roto i te ao Toi.

Creative New Zealand (the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa) is the national arts development organisation, supporting, promoting and advocating for the arts and artists in New Zealand.  Creative New Zealand receives funding from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board and directly from the Government through Vote: Culture and Heritage.

Creative New Zealand is a member of the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust with a commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.