Reception at Saatchi & Saatchi NY for New Zealand 's Frankfurt Show

Grace Moss reports:
When I walked into the vast gallery space at Saatchi & Saatchi last night, I was in awe. The “Three Baskets of Knowledge” installation by David Trubridge was stunning, the patterns glowing from beneath them were mesmerizing, and the sculpture served as the perfect entrance piece for the evening. As Jane Vesty, CEO of SweeneyVesty, later clarified, these baskets were “based on the Maori story of creation representing humanity’s knowledge of the natural, rational, and spiritual worlds.”

David Trubridge's installation at Saatchi & Saatchi. (© Sean Sime)

The stars glowing across the room expanded the theme of the evening, and were designed by the talented producer Ryan Mulcock, as in fact was the entire event (in collaboration with Jane Sutherland of Saatchi & Saatchi and the German Book Office). These stars twinkled and twisted all over the curtains along the edge of the room, supporting the evening’s theme of While You Were Sleeping—New Zealand’s motto for their program as the Frankfurt Book Fair’s Guest of Honor this year. Beneath the stars were over 200 publishing and media professionals, as well as the professional network of New Zealand.

Peta Conn, Consul General, Jane Sutherland of Saatchi & Saatchi, and Jane Vesty of SweeneyVesty together at the event. (© Sean Sime)

............. the event was a delight. Featuring literature from New Zealand’s pre-eminent author Emily Perkins (her new novel “The Forrests” had its U.S. launch at the event), along with a preview of photographer Paul Nathan’s yet to be released “Generation Ink,” and art from revered designer David Trubridge the evening was a great preview of what can be found in the New Zealand Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair this October. Frankfurt has a lot to look forward to with New Zealand as the Guest of Honor – and just remember, while you were sleeping, New Zealanders were creating music, art, and literature among other creative enterprises!

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