AUT artist in residence part of Tūrama
Joseph Michael, AUT's Artist in Residence, is part of the line-up for Auckland's new inner-city light festival, Tūrama Festival, which opens next month.
A vibrant line-up of visual artists, music and performance, as night falls, Tūrama will turn Albert Park into a winter wonderland from 26-28 July.
The free festival will see artists, including Joseph, will present stunning light installations, stories told through projection, interactive sculptures and performances. Illuminated installations will gleam brightly from the Auckland Art Gallery through to Merchant House, focusing on the centre piece of Albert Park - the large cast iron fountain. The carefully curated artworks are specifically designed to complement the unique park environment.
Joseph, renowned for his stunning 360° projection piece Antarctica: while you were sleeping, on the Auckland War Memorial Museum, will present Hōpara, a brand-new work utilising scan data imagery from Tane Mahuta and other significant sites of the Waipoua forest.
Hōpara is a timely reminder of the vulnerability of our sacred native trees that are struggling to survive through Kauri dieback.
Albert Park's band rotunda will host a line-up of homegrown musical talent like popular Yuko Zuna and Ed Zuccollo. Movie buffs can also get their fix with a selection of short films curated by Māoriland, set in its own amphitheatre nestled between Auckland Art Gallery and the park.
Roaming characters will wind through the crowds, performing on the park boundaries and interacting with audiences as they explore everything Tūrama Festival has to offer.
Food trucks will serve up a diverse range of delicious cuisine and mulled wine will help to warm up visitors while they enjoy the music and art on offer.