Out & About

A Home Innovation Village – known as the HIVE – is on track to open for the first time to the Christchurch public this weekend of 21-22 April 2012 at Canterbury Agricultural Park, and will remain open until February 2014.

Innovative, pre-built homes will be on show and open to the public with up to ten houses to be completed at the Hive site within the next few months.
 
This is a chance to come down and take a look at homes that are fast to assemble, extremely high quality, permanent and architect-designed. They are also sustainable and affordable which makes them extremely attractive to red zone casualties, savvy investors, developers and architecture enthusiasts alike.
 
Hive has been inspired by Canterbury’s desperate need for new homes that are light-weight, quick to build, strong and affordable following the devastating series of earthquakes that have ravaged the region since September 2010.
 
The opening weekend on 21/22 April will be a fun, family-focused event. Amongst the many attractions at Hive, all visitors will get the chance to win a number of spot prizes including the chance to enter a competition draw from Meridian Energy to win a year of free electricity (terms and conditions apply).
 
The Hive Home Innovation Village has had local and national support with partners including Meridian, Resene, Winstone Wallboards (GIB) and Homestyle magazine. Canterbury construction companies involved with the homes at Hive are Laing Homes, Wilson & Hill Architects, Keith Hay Homes, Lockwood Canterbury, Allied Concrete and Falcon Construction.
 
Hive is facilitated by PrefabNZ, a non-profit incorporated society established to inform and educate New Zealanders about prefabrication. See more at www.prefabnz.com/Hive/ and www.homeinnovation.co.nz

Collected by LeeAnn Yare is now open in BLOC at 20 Normanby Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland.

In true LeeAnn style the store is full of bursts of colour and pattern across a beautifully edited collection of bits and pieces for your home. And if you're not following LeeAnn on facebook yet, get 'liking' for style ideas and interior inspiration on a daily basis.

A team of family members have come up with a creative fundraising initiative for Christchurch. Shortland Street actor Kiel McNaughton wanted to create a fun way to connect kiwis and in the process fundraise $100,000 for the Christchurch earthquake appeal. He enlisted the help of his family who have pooled their creative and professional experience to created Pixels For Christchurch.

The artwork has been divided up into 100,00 pixels which you can purchase in blocks of 10 for $10. The pixels you donate reveal the artwork.

Carrying a message of support for those affected by the Christchurch earthquakes, the original artwork by Shane Hansen (Kiel's cousin) is entitled 'Arohanui Otautahi' is painted on pine in Canterbury colours with the word Arohanui nestled within the intricate swirls of colour. The original will be auctioned to raise further funds for the Pixels For Christchurch project.

Using facebook and twitter to spread the message and share your donations the project aims to bring kiwis together to raise $100,000 by by Christmas. And with over 10,000 pixels donated in the first week they are already well on their way. Click here to become part of this great project to help rebuild Christchurch.

Shane Hansen

The image so far

Late last year we posted an article on Lost Property, a great online showcase of Auckland's modernist architecture and history - now The Depot will be host to Gregory Smith's 'Lost Property 2' during Auckland's Heritage Festival and Architecture Week.

Excavating deeper into Auckland’s social and architectural history, Lost Property 2 uncovers the works of modernist architects Franz Iske, Barton Gillespie, Noel Bierre and artist James Turkington. Their unknown or neglected works and histories are bought to light in a new exhibition during Auckland’s Heritage Festival and Architecture Week.

The modernist era was captured in its arts and architecture, sometimes uncompromising, challenging and provocative, and although many of these works have now disappeared to progress and the onslaught of style over substance, much can be gained by revisiting this galvanising era.  See more at www.lostproperty.org.nz and www.depotartspace.co.nz

Location/venue: 

The Depot
28 Clarence Street, Devonport
Auckland
New Zealand

Date: 

24 Sep 2011- 6 Oct 2011

Cost: Free

Contact details: 

Ph.(09) 963 2331

www.depotartspace.co.nz

Taking place over Queens Birthday weekend in Wellington is craft symposium HANDMADE. We talk to creator Melanie Walker, and her colleagues about the upcoming event.

Where did the idea come from? 

The concept started simply with the name of the event in the hairdressers chair and comes from an observation of the resurgence of craft. It also comes from a growing appreciation for handmade things and a move away from things that are mass produced as we see consumers looking for that unique item for their home or an original gift for a friend. Applying our years of event management experience, at Avenues Event Management, to an event about something as wonderful as all things handmade, has been really satisfying.

What is it all about? 

HANDMADE celebrates all the really cool and contemporary things that are happening in the handmade and craft space at the moment. It’s an opportunity for people to learn in workshops, watch demonstrations and surround themselves with handmade things in tours and presentations. It’s all about bringing a wide variety of crafts and skills, together into one event, making it accessible and a great place to try your hand at anything and everything. It also celebrates beautifully handmade things, it encourages people to spend time making while appreciating the talented and clever expert makers.

Do you have to be a craft-aholic to attend? 

HANDMADE is for everyone, whether you’re an expert maker, a beginner or you just simply appreciate the handmade skills of others. It is for people who perhaps are experts at one kind of craft but want to try something different. It’s for people who love a particular kind of craft and want to advance their skills. And it’s for people who love the idea of craft and just want to get making! There really is something to interest everyone and it is something that you can do with a group of friends or family.

What are the highlights of the weekend? 

Everyone loves a good party and how about one with shopping thrown in! A highlight of the weekend is definitely going to be the Meet the Makers & Pop Up Store Party. Where you can meet the teachers and even buy some of their handmade items!  Overall thought, the highlight of the weekend will be all the inspiration and creative energy that comes out of all these people who love craft and handmade things in one place – from people who’ve been doing it for years, the experts, the beginner and the people that really appreciate what other people make.

What’s next for the handmade team? 

This is the inaugural HANDMADE of what is intended to be an annual event. Excitement is definitely building and it really will be an inspiring weekend. We hope that people take away the skills, the ideas and simply enjoy spending time making things!

To find out more or buy tickets click here. 

Prior to living in Auckland, Seed Gallery was on my list of must-dos when visiting the City of Sails, so imagine my delight that I can now attend their exhibitions in person rather than simply viewing them online. 

The talented ladies running the show, Emma and Kate, are constantly coming up with innovative, interesting and affordable exhibition ideas, and their latest is a must-see. In Box, is a showcase of beautiful limited edition prints which are available for a limited time as a set, at an affordable price. Featuring prints from such Kiwi artists as Rebecca Thomson, Tracey Black, John Pusateri and more, you can purchase a set of three for only $750! "The exhibition is a unique opportunity to launch or boost personal art collections," shares Seed director, Emma Pritchard. While the exhibition doesn't open until May 24, pre-sales are available so check it out now.

Mrs Tiki by Aroha Lewin and Brittle But Not Broken by Tracey Black are two of the limited edition prints available.

After the show individual works will range in price from $260 - $600 each so buying as a set is the way to go. Plus each set comes with a custom-made archival box. See the exhibition online here. 

Not for the faint-heated, John Pusateri's Dead Blue Roller is one of seven prints available as part of the In Box exhibition

I have long been a fan of print-maker Annie Smits Sandano and was delighted to hear that one of her stunning prints, featuring her iconic Tuis, has been selected as a Royal Wedding Gift. "About a month ago edition number 135/200 of my print Kokowhai Rauponga with Tuis was sold to a Kiwi couple living in Dubai. Turns out they are personal friends of Prince William and are attending the wedding!"

 Annies' Kokowhai Rauponga with Tuis print will be presented to the Royal couple as a wedding gift.

In spite of being requested not to give gifts, the couple wanted to present a tangible offer as well as a charitable donation - a gift for them which reflects a little bit of home. Annie is "delighted and honoured" that her art will be presented to the Royal couple. Check out more of Annie's work online here. 

With the huge number of companies, organisations and community groups getting in behind the Christchurch Earthquake appeal I thought I would share one of my favourite fundraisers with you - Clever Bastards 4 Christchurch. 

Utilising the vast number of creative Kiwi's associated with their online design store, Head Bastard Paul Kayser collated over 70 stunning and unique items with the aim to auction each one off. With furniture, to homewares to limited edition prints and jewellery there is something for every taste and it's all NZ Made! 100% of the proceeds from the auction will then be donated to the Christchurch Earthquake Red Cross appeal.

With iconic Kiwi designers like that of David Trubridge and Anna Church donating items what are you waiting for? My pick is the Hope for Canterbury limited edition screen print by Brad Novak. Not only is he one of my hot fav's at the mo, but it also features the symbolic postcard of Christchurch - the Catherdral. The auction closes soon, so it's time to get bidding! Click here to see the full range of items for auction.

Hope for Canterbury by Brad Novak

On a recent trip to Sydney while trawling the shops along Paddington's Oxford Street, Alice and I stumbled across the Paddington Reservoir Gardens. After peeping over the wall from the street above we were delighted to find this amazing historic site transformed into a relaxing urban space. Along with other lunchtime workers having a break from city life, the garden was a tranquil escape.

We walked around in awe of the design of the space and the intergration of lush greenery, water features and exposed ruins. The fact that the Gardens combine multi-levels and various room like spaces invites you to walk around and experince the space from a multitude of positions.

On further inspection it appears we were not the only ones to be very impressed with the Gardens as it has won numerous awards including the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Australian Medal for Landscape Architecture 2010.

The space had been a water reservoir until shut down in 1899, it then went on to become a commercial garage and workshop. In 1991, after sections of the roof collapsed the garage was shut down and architecture firm Tonkin Zulaikha Greer was commissioned for the restoration. "They were supposed to cap-off the underground site and build a new arrangement on top. But the firm fell in love with the ruins and decided to reveal the structure so the public could wander around," says World Architecture News. 

It makes me wonder if there are sites similar in Christchurch, post earthquake, where we can hold onto damaged historic sites but transform them into modern urban spaces to enhance the city.

Escaping Auckland for the day, Editor Lucinda Diack and friends headed out to discover the local treats on offer at Matakana and their renowned Farmers' Market.

Christine (right) and I found ourselves overwhelmed with choice, for a tasty Saturday morning treat! 

A short and scenic trip north from the hustle and bustle of the city found us amidst a hustle and bustle of a different kind. Walking past the dog-sitter you are welcomed into a riverside square lined with producers, growers and talented culinary individuals; each one with something delicious and unique on offer. From organic produce to local beer to fresh whitebait patties there was something for on offer every taste bud. 

With the plan to head east to spend the afternoon along the Pakiri Beach - a must visit for those after sun, surf and stunning scenery - the market provided us with the perfect one-stop shop for picnic supplies. Homemade Pear Cider and tantalizing pies taking pride of place in my basket.

From fresh produce for the weekly fruit and vege to pastry delights and chocolate treats to indulge in while wandering the market there is something for everyone at the Matakana Farmer's Market.

But it is not just the market which draws the crowds on a Saturday morning. Lining the riverbank and main street are stunning cafes, galleries, clothing stores and more. With a geeky crush on stationery and letter writing I was immediately drawn into a gorgeous store tucked in the far corner - Red Letter Day. Immersed in a world of  nostalgia and surrounded by beautiful items destined to bring back the romance of personal hand-written communication, I could have got lost here for hours - had there not been so much more to discover!

Whether for the morning or a day outing, the personality filled town of Matakana is well worth a visit, and I can guarantee it will have you coming back for more!