Art meets architecture in a week-long celebration
Late Night Art, a scene from Auckland Art Week 2023.
With an array of art installations, exhibitions and walking tours popping up in Auckland’s city centre this Art Week, ArchitectureNow has all the must see events for art and architecture lovers.
The theme for Art Week 2024 is happiness; on 4–13 October the city will transform across galleries, streets, lanes and public spaces in a celebration of all things art, and the joy it brings.
With over 60 exhibitions, installations and events, there’s a lot to be seen. Below is a list of events that draw parallels with architecture or engages directly with Auckland’s urban fabric.
For the full line up of events go to Heart of the City.
ArchitectureNow’s selects for Art Week 2024
CHANGING LANES
26 September–13 October - Changing Lanes - multiple locations city centre
Tasked with transforming some of the inner city’s iconic laneways, artists have created public artworks for these characterful spaces. Drawing on sculpture, painting, design and digital practices the artists have responded to the theme happiness. Pursuing big, bold and immersive ideas, this collection of art is intended to alter our experience of familiar places, prompt us to look with fresh eyes and see our city giving us a new reason to play, explore and discover.
You will find the Changing Lanes installations across Bledisloe Lane, Darby Street, Vulcan Lane, Durham Street East, Little High Street, Jean Batten Place, Lorne Street, Elliott Street and Exchange Lane; brought to the city centre by Auckland Council with curator Ross Liew.
Learn more about the city’s historic laneways here.
GUIDED TOURS
5 & 12 October - Art of Urban Design - 12:30–2:30 pm
Auckland is in the midst of great urban transformation, adapting an existing cityscape to a design-led plan. Join urban architect Kent Dadson to discuss and consider the design and use of city streets and spaces, place-making, the role of public art and how we tell the story of who we are through our cityscape.
There are two walks taking place, on October 5 and 12, from 12.30pm–2.30pm. Bookings are essential so be sure to secure your tickets.
6 & 13 October - In Search of the Classical World - 3–5:00 pm
Walk with heritage and conservation architect Kent Dadson and uncover the Classical world, all the intricacies of the form, function and style, that continue to be expressed in the buildings of the central city.
There are two tours taking place, October 6 and 13, from 3-5pm. Bookings essential.
LIGHT SHOWS
25 September–13 October - BLOOM - Viaduct Harbour
In celebration of Art Week, Viaduct Harbour is set to unveil BLOOM, a captivating art installation by local artists Angus Muir and Harris Keenan. Located outside Soul Bar & Bistro, BLOOM will be accessible for the public to admire night and day.
Featuring a larger-than-life vase, holding an abundant display of flowers in a variety of vibrant shapes and sizes, BLOOM naturally instils wonder and joy in viewers, exuding a vivacious energy that lights up the surrounding environment. Brought to life via a soundscape by Arun Strickland, the bright, vivid colours and neon design elements radiate an electric kaleidoscope of untamed beauty.
4–13 October - The Art of Bioengineering - Auckland Central City Library
The Art of Bioengineering exhibition explores the interconnections between art, biology and engineering of research undertaken at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland’s first large scale research institute. This year, the Art of Bioengineering artworks will be displayed on illuminated towers hosted at the Auckland Central City Library throughout Art Week October 4–13th. These towers will also be visible for Late Night Art October 10, 2024.
You can vote for your favourite art work here.
4–13 October - Random Acts - Te Ara I Whiti The Lightpath - 7:30–6:30 am
Artist Shannon Novak has teamed up with iion, programming the lights to change from magenta to a colourful display in response to the movement of people along the path. As people pass each other the colours merge and intensify, expressing positivity as people connect. This artwork has been commissioned by Auckland Council. Experience movement, colour and light from 7:30 pm to 6:30 am every day from 4 to 13 October.
Adding to the light effects, actual random acts of kindness will be shared with people along Te Ara I Whiti The Lightpath and in city centre streets and spaces in an evening of art and mindfulness during Late Night Art on Thursday 10 October between 5 pm and 9 pm.
ART TOURS
10 October - Park Hyatt Art Tour - 99 Halsey Street - 3:00 pm
Come along for an exquisite art tour at Park Hyatt Auckland, where you can enjoy a curated exploration of local artworks followed by a coffee or tea paired with a delicious pastry for the perfect combination of food and culture.
This immersive experience blends artistic discovery with a touch of indulgence in a luxurious setting.
LATE NIGHT ART
Late Night Art 2024 is taking place 10 October from 5–9:00 pm. One of the biggest events of previous Art Weeks, it offers an overwhelming line-up of art, innovation, colour, music, lighting, markets, exhibitions, laser art and even dance lessons!
Due to the dizzying amount of events for Late Night Art, we’ve created an ArchitectureNow itinerary of must-sees below:
The Strand Arcade, Shop 18 - Artist Talk with Cameron Hunt - 5–6:00 pm
Join Cameron Hunt for Artist Talk on Late Night Art from 5–6pm as he discusses his work with Ross Liew. His playful installations ask questions of public space as a place to initiate discourse around issues both meaningful and frivolous.
Urban Art Village – O’Connell Street - 12–9:00 pm
Engage with a village of nine interactive structures, created by students from the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture & Planning. They have been created and built as part of their course work and a key part of the annual Late Night Art in the city centre.
Open Late at EMC - Samuel Richards New York Calling - Marilyn Waring Room until 9 pm
Samuel Richards, an internationally acclaimed documentary filmmaker, shifts his focus to the world of still photography. His latest exhibition New York Calling, magnifies the inextricable link between the vibrant, diverse and gritty city of New York and the omnipresence of technology.
Through his lens, Samuel captures the candid, humorous and sometimes confronting moments that make up ‘Big Apple’ life. But, the exhibit bifurcates within each image by showcasing the cultural heart of arguably the most iconic city in the world, and the umbilical cord we hold on to in the form of devices.
Drawing from Richards’ experience in film of genuine, of-the-moment-storytelling, the collection of work challenges the viewer to pay attention to the contrast of simultaneously being at the center of the world, while holding the world, in the palm of your hands.
Revolve - Freyburg Place - 12–9:00 pm
Revolve is an immersive installation designed by Matt Liggins Studio and Angus Muir Design.
As the lights dance and the soundscapes evolve in response to human touch, Revolve transcends its physical form, becoming a living canvas. It sparks curiosity, encourages experimentation, and ignites moments of shared creativity within the space it inhabits.
Ngā Huinga o Mataaoho – The Gathered Volcanoes of Mataaoho - Commercial Bay - 5–11:00 pm & 5–7:00 am
Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua traditions attribute the volcanic landscape of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, to the deity Mataaoho. Iwi artist, Pāora Puru showcases his talents for a second time. On behalf of Precinct Properties, Pāora has designed another custom lighting sequence for the external façade lighting of the Deloitte Centre at One Queen Street, Auckland.
The display will go live on 10 October as part of Late Night Art and can be viewed in person, while listening to the story’s narration, from Te Komititanga, Te Wananga and nearby vantage points of the building at 1 Queen Street.
EXHIBITIONS
4–13 October - Urban Māori at Kura Gallery - 95a Customs Street West
Kura Gallery is opening up to all kai mahi toi Māori to contribute to a show looking at the term ‘Urban Māori’. The term is provocative and significant for ngā iwi Māori, the majority of whom live away from their papa kāinga, or ancestral lands. The reasons are layered.
The kaupapa is broad and left entirely up to the artists’ interpretation of what the term means to them, which should make for an exciting and fresh exhibition from artists from across the motu, some of whom are already represented in the gallery.
The show will hang in the gallery for Art Week, with a late night kōrerō about the works with the curator on 10 October for Late Night Art.
STREET ART
1–30 October - Midtown’s Street Art Festival - Midtown, city centre
Murals, street art, graffiti, workshops and talks are coming to midtown for Art Week and beyond. Watch or take part in live painting and a battle of graffiti writers hosted by Dr Bobby Hung in the historic Strand Arcade. ArchitectureNow recommends checking out Margarita Vovna’s mural at 25 Victoria Street where she’s painted tigers, cranes and dragons upon the façade of a heritage building. Brought to Midtown by Auckland Council.
For all dates, times and venues visit heartofthecity.co.nz/artweek
Art Week is delivered by Heart of the City and is proudly supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
