Gala
Vernissage To Open Auckland Art Fair 09
Auckland is preparing to glam up for one of the highlight
events of the year – the Hesketh Henry Art Fair
Vernissage. The exclusive opening event to the Fair
takes place on Thursday 30 April and Art Fair director
Jennifer Buckley promises it will have “all the
glamour and sophistication one would expect of such
an event, as well as few surprises”.
Vernissage is a French word that refers to the final
flourishes made to a painting before public viewing.
The word has evolved into a term used to denote the
opening night of a significant art event and the Hesketh
Henry Art Fair Vernissage is just that.
The black tie extravaganza, hosted by New Zealand’s
Got Talent judge Paul Ellis, features entertainment,
wine and food, but more importantly, it offers the first
opportunity to view (and purchase from) more than 600
of the most sought-after contemporary artworks in Australasia
before the Fair opens to the public.
The Vernissage also marks the official launch of the
collectable catalogue ‘New Art Now’,
published by Random House. The book features guest essays
by leading arts commentators and is exclusive to Auckland
Art Fair 09.
Attended by local dignitaries, celebrities, gallery
owners, artists and special guests including prominent
economist and art commentator Don Thompson, the Vernissage
is set to become the highlight of the Auckland social
calendar.
Auckland Art Fair 2009 takes place from 1-3 May at
the Marine Events Centre, Viaduct Harbour with 40 of
New Zealand and Australia’s leading galleries
showing works by the most exciting contemporary artists
from both sides of the Tasman including Judy Millar,
Shane Cotton, Len Lye, Liz Maw, Peter Robinson, John
Reynolds, WD Hammond, Patricia Piccinini, Daniel Von
Sturmer and Bill Henson.
The event also features a keynote speech by Don Thompson
on Friday 1 May, twice daily public lectures by local
and international speakers, a specially commissioned
installation by an exciting emerging artist and an enhanced
sculpture court.
Tickets for the Vernissage are $125 and are available
from iticket 0508 iTICKET (484 253) or www.iticket.co.nz.
For more information on Auckland Art Fair 2009 and ticket
package options, visit www.aucklandartfair.co.nz
The Auckland Art Fair is presented by the NZ Contemporary
Art Trust with the assistance of its Principal Sponsor,
Hesketh Henry; Major Partners ANZ Private Bank and Staples
Rodway; Founding Partners Auckland City Council, Heart
of the City and Tourism Auckland; and with hospitality
support from Mirvac Hotels and Kim Crawford Wines.
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