07 May 2013
The 2013 Venice Biennale New Zealand patrons’ group has enjoyed unprecedented success: raising over $350,000 to support the New Zealand exhibition in Venice and signing up a record 108 patrons.
Of these, 83 will travel to Venice to attend the opening of the New Zealand Pavilion and associated programme, the largest contingent in the history of New Zealand’s presence at the Venice Biennale.
All funds raised by the patrons go directly towards supporting New Zealand’s representative, Bill Culbert, and his exhibition Front Door Out Back. Culbert’s stunning light sculptures will fill five spaces within the New Zealand Pavilion, the historic la Pietà building.
Over the past 18 months, co-chairs Dayle Mace and Leigh Melville have held special patrons’ events around the country, to raise awareness and support for New Zealand’s Biennale exhibition.
“Congratulations on this impressive result,’’ says Creative New Zealand Chief Executive, Stephen Wainwright. “It is a testament to Dayle and Leigh’s hard work and passion for the Biennale that they have achieved this in the current challenging economic climate.’’
In 2011, the Patrons of the Venice Biennale raised $312,000 and hosted just over 70 patrons in Venice – the previous record for funding and patrons. This year’s campaign built on this success.
Director of the Tate to open New Zealand exhibition
Sir Nicholas Serota, Director of London’s Tate galleries will be the guest speaker at the opening of the New Zealand Pavilion in Venice on Wednesday, 29 May. The opening will be hosted by Arts Council Chair, Dr Dick Grant, New Zealand Ambassador to Italy, Trevor Matheson, and New Zealand’s Biennale Commissioner Jenny Harper.
The 2013 Venice Biennale opens on 1 June and runs for six months.
For the latest news and information on New Zealand’s presentation at the 2013 Venice Biennale, go to www.nzatvenice.com
For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Rebecca Lancashire | Senior Communications Adviser
T +64 4 473 0880 | DDI +64 4 498 0725| M +64 (0) 27 677 8070
rebecca.lancashire@creativenz.govt.nz
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