Virtual Art Fairs, Design Exhibitions & More Fun Things This Weekend

By Dan Ahwa
Viva
Amy Unkovich.

View a new online art fair

As artists and gallerists continue to think of fresh ways to showcase new artwork to the public, a new online art fair initiative May Fair Art Fair is making the most of the virtual space as we've seen in recent weeks, and also aims to showcase the underrepresented works of artists from Aotearoa and across the Pacific.

Providing a showcase that prompts dialogue with curators and artists, the new online fair, which launches today, includes 20 unique virtual booths by independent curators, artist-run initiatives and project spaces, as well as ten solo artist booths and weekly public programmes.

Visitors will be able to navigate an online building, view virtual exhibition spaces and click through to photographs of artworks that will be available for purchase. The diverse range of artists and participants come from a range of disciplines including artist and designer Lucy Meyle, multi-disciplinary bookstore Strange Goods and more. Visit Mayfairartfair.com.

Visit this exciting new exhibition

Take the time to visit the new exhibition Things On Things at Anna Miles Gallery opening this Sunday, exploring objects from 1880 to the present day. Featuring a range of new, old and ingenious things, the exhibition includes a 1988 cocktail chair made from a milking machine hose by revered fashion designer Marilyn Sainty, recently re-released in a limited edition of six chairs by Marilyn and gallerist Michael Lett. “This chair is a window into the lesser-known story of Marilyn - in particular, her furniture design but also the wider impact she has had in so many other creative people,” says Anna Miles.

Marilyn Sainty sitting on her cocktail chair. Photo / Samule Hartnett.
Marilyn Sainty sitting on her cocktail chair. Photo / Samule Hartnett.

Also included are industrial cooling tower-shaped ikebana vases by Isobel Thom; an elegant embroidered evening bag by Vita Cochran that incorporates 75 black buttons from 1890-1990; and two necklaces from celebrated contemporary New Zealand jewellers Warwick Freeman and Octavia Cook.
The exhibition will also include a special talk on August 8 by Justine Olsen, curator of Decorative Arts at Te Papa, about the avant-garde local furniture explosion of the 1980s.

Things On Things is on display at Anna Miles Gallery until August 28. Annamilesgallery.com

Visit India courtesy of this exhibition’s final showing

Catch the last of this brilliant photographic exhibition showcasing the work of Robert Peper, a visual diary that celebrates the beauty of Indian culture captured in both India and New Zealand, with the intention of presenting a greater understanding and respect for the participation and contribution the Indian population has in New Zealand’s society.

Photo / Robert Peper.
Photo / Robert Peper.

Robert's exhibition 'A Celebration of Life - Surfacing the Unseen'  is on display at Depot Artspace in Devonport until Monday 3 August.

Head to a beer tasting

Urbanaut Brewing Co. and Bun Hun are hosting a 'Beers and a Bao Bun' afternoon at the brewery's Kingsland base. Try its selection of craft beers between 1-6pm on Saturday, or head along on Sunday for beer and hotdogs courtesy of Brooklyn Dogs between 1-4pm.






Read Modesty: A Fashion Paradox by Hafsa Lodi

An insightful look at modest fashion and the personalities and brands shaping this industry, Modesty: A Fashion Paradox highlights the personal and cultural nuances at the nexus of Islam and appearance.

Lodi is a journalist who focuses on fashion in the Middle East, and her book comes at a key time for global discussions around identity and fashion, as well as the mainstreaming of conservative style. Published by Neem Tree Press.

For this, and more great new fashion releases, see our picks here.

Head to this community opening

Open Coffee at 553 Karangahape Road debuts this weekend serving eightthirtycoffee. The new name and look launches on Friday 31 with a special event in collaboration with artist Lisa Reihana, who is opening with her work 'Banks Transit of Venus, Mourning, Stars, Sex Trade', exhibited in the Open space and making art accessible to the community.

On Saturday there will be a karakia/grounding and opening of the space, with coffee, kai, community, sausage sizzle and celebrations from 8am onward.

Book a staycation

It's all about the staycation right now, so why not book a night or two at the chic new boutique Hotel Fitzroy in Ponsonby? Situated on the corner of Richmond Road and Fitzroy Street, in a beautifully restored villa, it has just 10 beautifully decorated rooms.

Indeed, with their soaring ceilings and opulent furnishings, you may just want to order room service and never leave. However, with Ponsonby Road just five minutes walk away, it is the perfect place to base yourself for a weekend of eating out and shopping too. Fablehotelsandresorts.com

 

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