THE BROADSHEET OF THE AUCKLAND BRANCH OF THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

Work and SpacePip Cheshire Reviews Richard Wolfe and Stephen Robinson’s Artists @ Work

Continued on p.2...

publications and the photographs of Marti Friedlander and Stephen Robinson make for an interesting comparison of changes to the bodies while the texts of the Barrs and Wolfe generally, though not always, reveal development and maturation of both individual and their art.

There are of course a number who have died, and it is the transformation of one, Colin McCahon, that is most pronounced. He is unphotographed in the earlier book, believing that any focus on him would be a distraction to ones focus on his work. In the Wolfe/Robinson volume he remains unsighted yet is omnipresent, being cited by almost all as teacher and mentor.

There are other more marked differences too; photography and printing technology have improved a great deal in thirty years and Robinson’s intensely detailed images contrast markedly with Marti Friedlander’s. Compare, if you can, the acuity of Robinson’s portrait of a determined and emphatic Stephen Bambury with that of a grainy, quizzically challenging Tony Fomison in the earlier book. Though both images fit the artists’ work well – the sharp angularity of Bambury’s work and the brooding pigmented texture of Fomison’s canvases, this is a fortunate happenstance and in general the earlier volume’s images seem muddy, gritty and of high contrast in comparison with the lush saturated images of the twenty first century technology.

Artists @ Work – New Zealand Painters and Sculptors in the StudioRichard Wolfe and Stephen RobinsonPenguin Books 2010ISBN 9780670074693

I am uneasy about comparisons of creative endeavour – probably after coming out second best in a Peter Shaw review – it seemed such a lazy disengagement with the work, a reduction of thought to a two horse commentary, all quantity and no quality, as if no other projects exist, as if there is no other discourse possible. For all that, it’s hard not to consider this book alongside that of Jim and Mary Barr’s 1980, Contemporary New Zealand Painters – Vol. 1. Though not setting out to be a definitive survey of contemporary painters as the earlier Alister Taylor publication had, Wolfe and Robinson’s recent book covers similar territory – a number of prominent New Zealand artists photographed in their studios, each with an essay discussing the places they make their work, their work habits and some observations about the work itself.

The result in both cases is an overview of the various ways in which art is made and while each volume has its own strengths, both combine to offer a poignant commentary on changes time has wrought on these small samples of the artistic community. Nigel Brown, Dick Frizzell, Jeffery Harris and Richard Killeen are in both

01 2011BLOCK

John

Dic

kson

. Int

erio

r sk

etch

of g

rand

pare

nt’s

kitc

hen.

Phone (09) 303 4716copy@copybook.co.nzwww.copybook.co.nz Chamber of Commerce Bldng Cnr Mayoral Drive & Greys AveAuckland City

proudly sponsoring the Auckland branch of NZIA

COLOUR PLANS & DRAWINGSA2

$26*A1

$46*

*Prices include GST *Printed on 150gsm matt poster paper*Discounts apply for multiple prints *From PDF, TIFF, JPEG

A0$69*

Shhh...Today’s open plan living environments demand quieter kitchen appliances than ever before. Visit the quiet kitchen website to explore the possibilities.

Savour the silence of well designed appliances

Sharp saturated imagery may contain more data but not necessarily more meaning and Friedlander’s high contrast grainy images, a style of photography not uncommon at the time, distance the subjects, and make us more reliant on the text for exposition. The images offer enigmatic portraits of, invariably, troubled souls surrounded by work, but rarely at work. In contrast Robinson uses the sharp focus and saturated printing to poke around, looking for revealing detail: the rollers of Jeff Thomson’s corrugated iron bender, Tracey Tawhiao’s pen holder or, in almost all cases, the smear of paint on a squashed pigment tube.

Wolf’s text keeps a respectful distance from the artists’ work and approaches it through a discussion of the artists’ preparation (coffee/yoga, at work by nine, etc.) and methodology (underpaint, then block in the body colour…) and rarely, if ever, engages in describing the work in detail or offering either artist’s or writer’s commentary on it. The result is to underscore the book’s title, Artists @ Work; and suggests a sort of ordinariness about their endeavours – as many of the artists say, it is hard, time consuming graft. The photographs sustain this view and invariably focus on the textures and colours that infuse the workspaces, generally illustrating slightly chaotic workshops from which the creative ‘work’ is wrought.

In this way both images and text occupy the space between artist and work, and though there are some contextual images of studios stuffed with equipment and raw material (Thomson again), the book is concerned with that point at which “the rubber hits the road”, as if by close examination of brush and palette we might better understand what the art is about. This is helped along by many of the subjects caught in action, brush in hand, at work, making work. In this the project veers dangerously close to becoming a sort of artist spotters’ guide – piles of interesting stuff around, clothing smeared with pigment, heaps of brushes at hand – yep must be an artist all right.

Paradoxically we learn more about the work, and by extension, the work of being a contemporary artist, by the sparser of the environments pictured – the factory geared for Elizabeth

Thomson’s production, Bambury’s laboratory-like investigations into colour, Dawson’s control room reaching out into industry, or Richard Kileen’s practice which has collapsed into the virtual studio of the computer. For each of these there seems a correlation of work and space – not causality, but a suggestion of a symbiotic linkage that bears closer examination.

Most of the artists though eschew the importance of space. Jacqueline Fahy’s, “It’s what comes out of here” perhaps unfortunately opens the door to the writer’s compression of interest to that space between artist and canvas, or stone, or iron. This is at the expense of a wider consideration of the relationship of the work produced and that space in which it is created and first seen. Though many of the artists refer to the value of the studio as a place to review their work, it is only Bambury who talks about the critical role of the studio in a discussion about the relationship between the found plane – that of the studio wall – and the constructed plane of the work. For most though the relationship between space and work is rarely explored; the studio is a pragmatic container, and though there are a couple of architects involved (Walker for John Reynolds and an unnamed for Bambury), most suggest the working studio has clear, basic and self evident requirements and, by implication, no need of another’s hand.

This, though, is not the book to examine the relationship between art and the space of its production. It is enough that Wolfe’s text provides a gentle overview of the studio, no more weighted than the daily regimes of coffee and yoga that many of the 20 or so artists follow. Yet the relationship between the specifics of space and art remain waiting in the wings, Nigel Brown’s relocation to the deep south, for example, is said to have provided an “explosive liberation” in the incubation of ideas, and John Reynolds, who finds “space constraints enormously stimulating”, seems, in one image, to have burst from the confines of his new studio to paint.

Though I am grateful for this book as an introduction to the working habits and personalities of some interesting souls, and for opening the door to a closer engagement with the art they make, the ground between art and architecture, between constructed object and the space of its making and display remains a rich territory, open for exploration. PC

Continued from p.1...Artists @ Work Review

Events PORTFOLIO: Andrea Bell

The Events Committee had a meeting on the Tuesday 23rd November 2010. The week of 24th September – 1st October 2011 has been pencilled in for Architecture Week. There are three Rugby World Cup dates during the week in Auckland and it was felt this could be a good opportunity to highlight NZ architecture not only to the locals but also the international community that will be in town during this period.

Several options for international speakers have been put forward and the list will be refined and preferred speakers targeted in the New Year.

Andrew Barrie is keen to put together a walking tour map of architecturally significant buildings in Auckland which could be available during Architecture Week.

UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND REPORT: Uwe Rieger

1. Fraser Moore, from the School of Architecture and Planning, has won the NZIA Graphisoft Student Design Award, with fellow student Rowan Baird’s entry Highly Commended.

2. The School of Architecture and Planning will lead a NICAI interdisciplinary large scale production studio to animate Myers Park as part of the Rugby World Cup Walking Route for the 9 event nights in Auckland.

AUCKLAND COUNCIL LIASON: Christina van Bohemen

There have been no applications for streamlined consents. Along with AC we may have to promote this again.

Richard Goldie has taken up the issue relating to producer statements as required by AC building consent documentation.

A meeting was recently held at Auckland Council for members of the Urban Design Panel. This was chaired by Ludo Campbell Reid and featured a brief presentation about the spatial plan process by Roger Blakeley. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss what role the panel might have in relation to the development of the spatial plan. The conclusion was that a working group with representatives from each of the panel disciplines would be formed and participate in a series of workshops chaired by Tim Watts. Graeme Scott and I are representing the NZIA panel members. We will report back/liaise with a reference group of others from NZIA Auckland branch.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES GROUP: Megan Rule

November 9: Craig Brown talked about history and directions for sustainable waste-water reticulation. Current thinking on infrastructure is that it is costing us too much and needs to fundamentally change.

December 14: (Unitec) Peter Bethune, conservationist and bio fuel enthusiast talked about his highly experimental work with technology, alternative fuel and environmental conservation, and his latest environmental project.

NZIA Environmental Policy: Anne Salmond presented a revised guideline to council for adoption in principle by the NZIA. It was agreed that a policy be developed separately, as a short statement,that could be added to website since the guideline could not be a policy. Defining and prioritising actions is to be addressed early this year as a next step. The environmental group would like to see an improved vehicle (website section) so that members across NZ can participate.

UIA Sustainable By Design Strategy: The Union of International Architects latest Sustainable Design Strategy Questionnaire asks what we have done and what our plan for Sustainable Responsibility is. From feedback so far the general consensus is that NZ has performed badly and currently there is no obvious plan to improve this situation. We are interested to hear from you as to what is happening.

UIA Sustainable By Design Tokyo 2011: Now is the time to consider what NZIA can contribute to this important forum.

Auckland City to Become World Leader in Environmental Management: Ludo Campbell-Reid at Auckland City has a new job role “Environmental Strategy and Policy Manager, Heritage, Urban Design, Architecture, Air, Land and Water” with a coastal and environmental focus. With 100 staff he advises he wants to head a department that is a world leader in environmental management. He also advised that Mayor Len Brown is establishing an Environmental and Sustainablility Forum.

NZIA COUNCIL REPORT: Tim Melville

The Building Act Working Group: A significant number of requests for submissions and consultation have been received from DBH and the Government including:

1. Building Act Amendment Bill (includes a National Consenting System) - consultation required with DBH and legal opinions to be obtained.

2. Cabinet Paper on the Building Act review 5: Delivering Building Regulation. DBH to report back to the Cabinet Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee by June 2011 after the relevant consultations with Government Departments and other agencies.

3. Submission to DBH on B1 Structure.

4. Submission to DBH on E2 External Moisture including a new Acceptable Solution for Weathertightness for Concrete and Masonry Construction, deadline 4th February 2011.

Members of the BA working group have completed submissions to DBH and SNZ on 3604 Timber Framed Buildings (July), B2 Timber Treatment (October), Signs F8 (November), Medium Density Housing (November) and Protection from Noise (November). If you know of any members who may be able to contribute to the upcoming submissions please ask them to contact me.

Auckland City Producer Statement Policy: Richard Goldie and John Albert met with Bob De Leur on 9th December to discuss the unreasonable levels of PI Insurance cover that Council are proposing and other issues affecting members.

Joint & Several Liability: The DBH have commissioned LECG and Buddle Findlay to review the application of joint and several liability to the building and construction sector in New Zealand. LECG have invited the NZIA to be interviewed and Patrick Clifford has asked me to attend this interview on behalf of the Institute.

Construction Contracts Act Review: Colin Orchiston and Barry Dacombe are preparing a submission on behalf of the NZIA. The main issue is whether Architects should or should not be included under the Act.

Heritage Guidelines: The revised Heritage Guidelines were tabled at Council and have been adopted.

Environmental Guidelines: The revised Environmental Guidelines were tabled at Council and have been adopted. Councilor Anne Salmond will be working with

The Fine Print: December

������� �� � �� � � � �� � �� ��� ������

��

���

���

Megan and the EIG on preparation of Practice Notes to support the guidelines.

RMA Phase II: A summary of the NZIA’s position on the RMA Phase II Reforms has been sent to all members urging them to support the Institute by making a submission.

Seminars Online: The NZIA website has recently integrated a CPD on-line facility. This facility for obtaining on-line seminars will also be available to GDP members. As an example the Auckland Branch seminars held on ethical conduct will be available on-line next year. Communications Strategy: The NZIA ‘Talk to an Architect’ advertising campaign aimed at the residential market was launched on November 15th featuring in magazines and on billboards in the four main centres.

NZIA Conference 2012: Patrick Clifford, Andrew Barrie and Richard Naish are meeting later this week to progress preparations for the NZIA Conference proposed for February 2012.

Canterbury Branch Exhibition: The NZIA Canterbury Branch is seeking to engage with the general public and local authorities to work through issues raised by the recent earthquake. The earthquake has elevated the public awareness of our built environment and the Branch believe this to be an ideal opportunity for architects to engage the public in a dialogue around creating a better and more liveable city. The proposal for this engagement is an exploratory exhibition on five themes; Environmental Planning, Urban Design, Heritage & Character, Residential Settlement and Transportation & Infrastructure. Running concurrently with the exhibition will be a debate series to publicly discuss issues around the five themes as well as addressing the arising economic, social and property issues. The Branch has secured support from the Christchurch Art Gallery to display the exhibition within their foyer and have also reserved the Philip Carter Auditorium for five Thursday night debates to be held throughout February and March.

Wellington Branch Social Event: The Wellington Branch held a function in mid-September where they invited their “favourite” builders and contractors for drinks, oysters and even a Health & Safety quiz. They are planning to hold a similar event in 2011.

Aniwaniwa Visitors Centre: Gisborne Hawkes Bay Councillor Pierre du Toit spoke at the Council meeting about DoC’s plans to demolish the Aniwaniwa Visitors at Waikaremoana designed by John Scott. The local Branch are lobbying to prevent this and would be grateful for support from other branches.

The annual GIB Architect’s Regatta is fast approaching. Entries were due on the 2nd February but late submissions will be accepted until Tuesday 8th February with a late fee of $50. The regatta will be held on Monder 14th February in Westhaven, Auckland and is open to all architects, their consultants, clients and guests.

The start and finish line will be the signal mast on the Westhaven Tower and the Windward edge of the ODM approximately 400 metres from the Tower.

A post race function will be held at the RNZYS with dinner and drinks generously provided by the race sponsors. A brief prize-giving and sponsor’s address will be made.

Entry forms can be downloaded from http://www.gib.co.nz/regatta

Contact Briar Salter and Winstone Wallboards Ltd. for more information. P. (09) 633 0136. E. briars@gib.co.nz

GIB Regatta 2011