These eyes glide and slide on
On the train, in the bus, in the lifts and on the streets
Let your city eyes slide and glide
As Wellingtonians we all know that our city is the 'coolest little capital in the world' but when local photographer Michael Hall hit the streets of Venice earlier this year, photographing the New Zealand Pavilion, he revelled in the sights and sounds of the famous floating city. Did it make him wish he lived there?
"Who wouldn't want to live there but in fact there are many aspects of Venice that are here in Wellington - it's the people that make a city and despite the glamour of the Venice Biennale it was the locals, the lights, the coffee and the buildings that caught my eye - and that can all be captured in my home town - what we don't have in history we certainly make up for in personality!" Hall says.
And it is his home town that this talented photographer has turned his 'city eyes' too, collaborating with poet Gavin Reedy in an exhibition inspired by the characters and places both encountered growing up and living around Wellington from the 1970s until now.
Exhibited at Deluxe from 16 October, their story is told through intimate yet witty photos and poems which showcase the city’s buildings, streets, alleys, burger bars and people, past and present.And it is his home town that this talented photographer has turned his 'city eyes' too, collaborating with poet Gavin Reedy in an exhibition inspired by the characters and places both encountered growing up and living around Wellington from the 1970s until now.
Wellington is home town for both Gavin and Michael and they began talking about the characters, places and events both had encountered growing up around the city.
They eventually decided to capture their experiences as Wellington locals through original poetry and photography.
Both believe it’s often the out of the way places and stories that are the most interesting of all and where the voices of the past still resonate.
Complementing the City Eyes exhibition is a book of the same name, available for purchase during the exhibition.About the authors:
Gavin Reedy (Ngati Porou)
Gavin grew up and lived in Wainuiomata (Hutt Valley) and Wellington in the 1960s and 1970s. This period influenced him greatly and is the inspiration for the poems in this book.
He has been a carver, is a qualified teacher, likes ‘70s funk and currently works at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. When not in Wellington Gavin lives in Halcombe, near Fielding. This is Gavin’s first published work.
Michael Hall
Born and raised early on in Lower Hutt, Michael has been a long-time Newtown resident.
He has over 20 years experience as a professional photographer and currently leads the photography team at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. In that role, Michael photographed Michael Parekowhai’s On first looking at Chapman’s Homer – the New Zealand Pavilion at the famous Olympics of the art world – the Venice Biennale in June 2011. His photos can be seen at www.nzatvenice.com
Michael has also appeared as a sax player in bands from the 1980s to now.
What: City Eyes
Where: Deluxe Cafe, 10 Kent Terrace
When: 16th of October - 30th October 2011
When: 16th of October - 30th October 2011
Cost: FREE – accompanying publication to the exhibition is for sale.
Link to the exhibition: http://www.nz2011.govt.nz/experiencerealnz/events/1488-city-eyes
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