Overview
The wait is finally over as Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
opens its doors on Saturday 3 September
Saturday 3 September:
Official Civic ceremony 10am, doors open 11am
Sunday 4 September: 10am -
5pm
Getting there
See below for opening festival timetable
Everyone is welcome to join the official civic
ceremony at 10am on the Kitchener Street forecourt of the
Gallery. After the ceremony, which includes a speech from Mayor Len
Brown, kapa haka display and a performance by the Auckland
Philharmonia Orchestra, doors will open to the public at 11am.
Opening hours are extended to 10pm on opening day and the
following Saturday. A special visitor programme for the first and
second weekends of opening includes talks, presentations, readings,
fashion, music and cultural performances.
The Gallery will have late night openings until 7pm every
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout September.
Don't miss the opportunity to view the Julian and Josie
Robertson Promised Gift with works by European masters of
the modern period, including Gauguin, Dalí and Mondrian - at the
Gallery until 30 October.
Throughout September, the Gallery will host screenings care
of the Film Archive as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival,
including a screening of archival rugby film footage
introduced by special guest, ex-All Black captain Sir Wilson
Whineray.
Entry to the Gallery, its opening exhibitions and
activities programme is free.
SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
10.30am - 2.30pm: Art workout! Street
theatre
An exercise regime for the senses to warm you up for New Zealand's
biggest art experience.
11am: Gallery doors open
11am - 10pm: Introduction to the Julian and Josie
Robertson Promised Gift
An illustrated introduction to the art and artists that make up
the extraordinary gift from Julian and Josie Robertson to the
people of New Zealand. Narrated by Jennifer
Ward-Lealand. Hearing loop connection available as well as
text of narration. Auditorium
11am - 10pm: The Redevelopment Project
- photo essay by Jennifer French
A stunning photographic essay from Auckland Art Gallery
photographer, Jennifer French, which spans the Gallery's
three-year plus development project. External video
screens
12pm: Celebrate Choi Jeong Hwa's
extraordinary Flower Chandelier
Bring a flower; real, plastic or paper, and make an offering to
this work as part of this event. Beginning outside in the forecourt
pool with Choi Jeong Hwa's installation Red, then moving
inside to the atrium and his colourful suspended kinetic
sculpture. Performance includes traditional Māori instruments.
Choreographed by Pei-Jung Lee from University of Auckland, School
of Dance, in collaboration with the artist. Forecourt
& North atrium
1pm - 3pm: Family drop in - a creative
space for the whole family!
Get creative with hands-on activities inspired by artworks in our
collection. Suitable for ages four and up - please note all
children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.
North & south atriums
1.15pm: Traditional Māori waiata and
taonga pūoro
The haunting sound of traditional Māori instruments will
beckon you into the Grey Gallery. This section of Toi
Aotearoa tells the story of Māori and Pākehā interaction
and includes taonga from the Sir George Grey collection. Riki
Bennett and Rewi Spraggon perform original waiata as well as taonga
pūoro, using traditional instruments.
3pm: Pacifica
Students from the St Peter's College choir perform a
melody of Pacifica songs. Atrium & Wellesley
Gallery
4pm, 5pm and 6pm: Classical
music
A string quartet brings our historical collection to life.
Featuring Minsi Yang and Joo Yeon Lee on violin, Ben Geller on
viola and Lisa Chung on cello. Wellesley
Gallery / East Gallery
7pm: Jazz
Cool jazz for cool art - performed by Circling Sun featuring
Cameron Allen on saxophone, Ben Turua on bass, Ron Samsom on drums
and Daniel Ryland on electric guitar. Level 2
8pm: Fashion in Motion
An eclectic showcase of unique and experimental design reflecting
new approaches to fashion explored through innovative fabric
manipulation, intricate detailing and dynamic silhouettes. Designed
by fashion students from the Bachelor of Design course at AUT
University, these garments will be presented in a choreographed
display against a backdrop of art and architecture. Lower
ground galleries & Wellesley Gallery
9pm: The Sound Room - ambient audio for the
Gallery
Auckland-based collaborative The Sound Room perform an ambient
work composed to celebrate the opening of the Gallery. Featuring
Marshall Smith on keyboards, vocals and programming, Tom Fox on
acoustic and electric guitars with special guest Ashley Brown,
cellist with the New Zealand Trio. Exhibition spaces to be
confirmed
SUNDAY
4 SEPTEMBER
10am - 2pm: Art workout! Street theatre
An exercise regime for the senses to warm you up for New Zealand's
biggest art experience.
10am - 5pm: Introduction to the Julian and Josie
Robertson Promised Gift
An illustrated introduction to the art and artists that make up
the extraordinary gift from Julian and Josie Robertson to the
people of New Zealand. Narrated by Jennifer Ward-Lealand.
Auditorium
10.30am and 12.30pm: Traditional Māori waiata and
taonga pūoro
The haunting sound of traditional Māori instruments will beckon
you into the Grey Gallery. This section of Toi
Aotearoa tells the story of Māori and Pākehā interaction
and includes taonga from the Sir George Grey collection. Riki
Bennett and Rewi Spraggon perform original waiata as well as taonga
pūoro, using traditional instruments.
12pm and 3pm: Classical music
A string quartet brings our historical collection to life.
Featuring John Fennell and Iselta Alison on violin, Siobhan
Gerritsen on cello and Irina Andreeva on violin and viola.
1pm - 3pm: Family drop in - a creative
space for the whole family!
Get creative with hands-on activities inspired by artworks in our
collection. Suitable for ages 4 and up - Please note all children
under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. North &
south atriums
Times are indicative only and venues may change at
short notice dependant on visitor numbers in the gallery spaces.
Our guides can help you with the latest
information.
GETTING
THERE
Travel to the Gallery at the corner of Kitchener and Wellesley
streets in Auckland's CBD.
Road closure and diversions
Kitchener Street will be closed to traffic from 8am-12pm
and diversions will be in place. Follow the road signs to access
the Victoria Street or Civic car parks. Detours will apply and
marshalls will be on hand to guide traffic.
Public transport
The Gallery is just off Queen Street and 15 minutes' walk
from Britomart and the ferry terminal. Ride for free along Queen St
on the new CityLINK bus and get off at stops 7053 or 7054. You
could also jump on the OuterLINK bus to travel to the Gallery along
Wellesley Street - the nearest bus stops are 1094, 7088 and
7089.
Parking
During the road closure, the nearest car parks will be at
Victoria Street and the Civic. Take advantage of $4 all-day parking
available this and every weekend at the Victoria Street car park by
picking up a voucher from the Gallery's front desk. Once road
closures have been lifted, the nearest car park is the Wilsons car
park on Kitchener Street.
Access
Disabled parking is available at the nearby car parks.
All galleries and facilities are wheelchair accessible. Assistance
dogs are welcome.