They came, they saw, they Sparked. Wintec’s Spark, festival of Media, Art and Design, is over for another year, but leaves a buzz of inspiration in its wake as record audiences reflect on the successful week.
This year’s increase in numbers was one of the main highlights for Spark programme manager Susanna Wilford - 35% more people attended Spark than in 2007, with over 2400 checking out the presentations, events and workshops. The new venue of Wintec’s Hub was deemed a great success, and it is provisionally booked for Spark ‘09.
Other highlights in Spark’s tenth year included the dynamic and varied festival programme including the surprise visit from international artist Rirkrit Tiravianja and inspiring presentations such as that from design studio Inkahoots; the launch of Hamilton Pecha Kucha along with the screening of the International Palestinian Film Festival. The successes of Spark can’t go without the mention of the exceptional support from volunteers such as ‘supremo Boy Friday’ Lance Harris and design intern Tasch Garland.
Media Arts students made the most of the week, attending as many presentations and workshops as possible. “Great experience - I’m exhausted from taking in all the info, but I loved every minute and it far exceeded my expectations,” said one first year Media Arts student. Others commented on the “interesting and inspiring” speakers, the opportunity to meet people in the creative industries, and how Spark offered different viewpoints on their potential careers. The presentation by comic illustrators Robyn Kenealy and Coco Solid was particularly popular with students, as was the packed session from graphic designer Jason Grant of Brisbane’s Inkahoots.
Media Arts Head of School Margi Moore said that this year’s Spark has been a fitting celebration for the tenth year of a very special event. “It has certainly increased Spark’s profile in the community and it was wonderful to see so many people from outside of Wintec enjoying the speakers, events and workshops.” After receiving numerous comments on the “wonderfully stimulating” week and requests for next year’s dates, Margi says: “Pencil in the 3rd to the 7th of August 2009 now!”
Spark updates will be announced on www.spark.net.nz through the year, and applications for Hamilton’s 2nd Pecha Kucha night, to be held in November, are open now - see www.pechakucha.co.nz. To make sure you receive all Spark news and updates, send your email to spark@wintec.ac.nz and join the mailing list.
During Spark, attendees got their ‘Spark Cards’ clicked at every session. The dedicated inviduals who attended 10 or more sessions had the opportunity to go in a draw for Gordon Harris vouchers, and we are pleased to announce the lucky winners:
Winners of 10 clicks competition - Gordon Harris vouchers: Elwyn Stone & Rangi Carroll
Runner up prizes - Spark T-shirts: Philip Dobbs, Rhiamon Thornton, Dion Mellow, Tui Benan Whippy, Jason Megchelse, Wendy Richdale, Chloe Ferguson, Alix Rogerson, Megan Curd
Prizes can be collected from Media Arts Reception (bring ID).
It’s been a magnificent week so far. Here are some more snaps of the Spark action, courtesy of Geoff Ridder.
Jason Grant tells a full house about Inkahoots
Watching the live link to Jason Grant
Andrea Calderwood describes her experiences producing HBO series ‘Generation Kill’
Ngahuia Te Awekotuku and Becky Nunes on ‘Mau Moko’
Becky Nunes and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku with Wintec’s Director Maori, Hera White
Rirkrit Tiravanija relaxes before his presentation
Lisa Benson introduces Rirkrit Tiravanija
(Scroll down for another set of photos).
It’s the final day of Spark today, and it looks set to go out in style. Installation artist Susan Jacobs and painter/printmaker Scott Miles talk about their work, and Kris Sowersby from Klim Type Foundry extols the virtues of typography. The Dragon’s Den-esque student showcase ‘Show Me The Money’ debuts, and a variety of workshops fill the afternoon, including a Q + A session with renowned singer Whirimako Black. Then it’s party time - Whirimako Black kicks off the Spark finale at the Waikato Museum and Matthew Bannister, Coco Solid and Robyn Kenealy continue the fun at Flow bar. This is the last chance to catch Spark 08 in action, so make the most of it.
9.00am Susan Jacobs & Scott Miles: Painting/Sculpture: - The Hub
11.00am Kris Sowersby: Typography - The Hub
1.30pm Showcase screening: ‘Show Me The Money‘ - The Hub
1.30pm Workshop: Susan Jacobs: Sculpture
3.00pm Workshop: Scott Miles: Painting
3.00pm Workshop: Kris Sowersby: Typography/graphic design
3.30pm Workshop: Whirimako Black: Music
17.30pm SPARK FINALE with Whirimako Black - Waikato Museum
9.00pm DJ Coco Solid, Matthew Bannister &
performance by Robyn Kenealy
Venue: Flow Bar
Unless otherwise specified, presentations take place in Event Room 1 at the Wintec Hub, street entrance. Flow Bar is at 266 Victoria Street, Hamilton. Workshop booking & venue information is online at www.spark.net.nz. See information table at Events Room 1 for any queries, and check Spark website for more information on speakers / events.
It’s difficult to pick a highlight of this penultimate Spark day. Noted film producer (The Last King of Scotland) Andrea Calderwood ignites proceedings, and will also do a workshop. Ngahuia Te Awekotuku is the author of Montana Book Award winner ‘Mau Moko’ and will be discussing the process of creating it with photographer Becky Nunes. Ex-students play ‘where are they now?’ and artist Rirkrit Tiravanija makes a guest appearance. The much-anticipated Pecha Kucha is finally here, and offers a dynamic snapshot of creativity to finish off the day.
9.00am Andrea Calderwood: Film Producer - The Hub
11.00am Ngahuia Te Awekotuku & Becky Nunes: collaborative process between author & photographer The Hub
12.30pm Showcase: Ex- & Students’ forum (see Event listings for details)
1.30pm Special Guest Appearance: Rirkrit Tiravanija
2.00pm Workshop: Becky Nunes: Photography
3.00pm Workshop: Andrea Calderwood: Film
7.30pm Pecha Kucha Night - The Hub.
Unless otherwise specified, presentations take place in Event Room 1 at the Wintec Hub, street entrance. Workshop booking & venue information is online at www.spark.net.nz. See information table at Events Room 1 for any queries, and check Spark website for more information on speakers / events.
With Spark well under way, here are a few photos of the week to date - more coming soon. The presentations have been tremendous, with some attracting huge audiences. This morning Jason Grant from Inkahoots filled the room and then some, as he showed the studio’s innovative design work and discussed their ethos. Julie Starr gave an intriguing whirlwind snapshot of where news has been and where it’s going. Other highlights so far have included the opening ceremony (complete with Spark cake), the Close Up opening, and all the excellent presentations, with several completely full. The workshops have also been very well attended. Congratulations to all attendees to date for making the most of Spark, and there’s plenty more to come. Click on photos for larger versions.
Peter Bromhead decorates the Spark 10 year anniversary cake.
Peter Bromhead’s presentation.
Costume designer Lesley Burkes-Harding is interviewed for an upcoming film project.
Jessica Hansell (Coco Solid) gets into the Spark spirit while presenting with Robyn Kenealy.
Polixeni Papapetrou with the controversial Art Monthly cover featuring her work.
“Hands up who loves Spark?” Robyn Kenealy during her workshop.
Jessica Hansell talks to a workshop of keen students
With 2 Spark days down and 3 to go, Wednesday marks the midpoint of Spark festival. Are you bearing up and staying hydrated? Jason Grant from Brisbane’s Inkahoots hits Htown today, and this presentation is sure to be a highlight for graphics students and anyone interested in how this ‘graphic design studio with a social conscience’ operates. Wintec’s Editor-in-Residence Julie Starr offers insights on how journalism can adapt to developing technologies; and Xavier Meade talks about the Liberation Posters Exhibition he curated. More interesting workshops fill the afternoon, including one from painter Evan Woodruffe focussing on the construction of 2D artwork. The Palestinian Days Film Festival Highlights screening is another session not to be missed.
9.00am: Jason Grant: Graphic Design - The Hub
11.00am: Julie Starr: Journalism - The Hub
12 noon: Liberation Posters Exhibition: Artist’s talk with Xavier Meade - Waikato Museum
1.30pm: Showcase: ‘Viewing Habits’ (UCLA documentaries - see event listings) - The Hub
3.00pm: Workshop: Jason Grant: Graphic Design
3.00pm: Workshop: Sam Farrow: Journalism
3.00pm: Workshop: Evan Woodruffe: Painting techniques
5.30pm: Palestine Days Film Festival with guest Tuma Hazou (see events listings for details)
Unless otherwise specified, presentations take place in Event Room 1 at the Wintec Hub, street entrance. Workshop booking & venue information is online at www.spark.net.nz. See information table at Events Room 1 for any queries, and check Spark website for more information on speakers / events.
Tuesday heralds another exciting lineup as Spark settles into its groove. Comic creators Robyn Kenealy and Coco Solid discuss their work, and Melbourne’s Polixeni Papapetrou gives the lowdown on her experiences being a photomedia artist. Journalist and ex-Scotland Yard media man Sam Farrow takes the stand at the Media Bites function, and the afternoon offers a whirl of workshops with the three visual artists.
9.00am: Robyn Kenealy & Coco Solid: Comic book illustrators - The Hub
11.00am: Polixeni Papapetrou: Photo-media artist - The Hub
12 noon: Media Bites, Ferrybank Conference and Reception Centre, Grantham Street, Hamilton
2.00pm: Workshop: Robyn Kenealy : Comics
3.00pm: Workshop: Polixeni Papapetrou: Photography
4.00pm: Workshop: Coco Solid: Music-illustration-comics
Unless otherwise specified, presentations take place in Event Room 1 at the Wintec Hub, street entrance. Workshop booking & venue information is online at www.spark.net.nz. See information table at Events Room 1 for any queries, and check Spark website for more information on speakers / events.
Welcome to the very first day of Spark. Prepare for an inferno of creative activity as the week develops! Today we kick off with an opening function at Events Room 1, and welcome renowned designer and cartoonist Peter Bromhead as the first speaker. The day offers a particularly interesting assortment for filmmakers, with presentations from John Harding on production design, Lesley Burkes-Harding on costume design, and a film forum on production where the two are joined by producer Andrea Calderwood. To wrap up a full day of activity, Ramp’s latest exhibition Close Up is opening at 5.30, and should not be missed.
8.45am: Official Spark opening: The Hub
9.30am: Peter Bromhead: Interior Design/cartoons/illustration - The Hub
10.45am: John Harding: Production Design - The Hub
11.45am: Lesley Burkes- Harding: Costume Design - The Hub
1.30pm: Film Forum:John Harding with guests - The Hub
3.00pm: Workshop: Lesley Burkes Harding on costume design - P Block, P119
5.30pm: Exhibition Opening: CLOSE UP: Contact Photography Prints, Ramp Gallery, R block, Collingwood St, Hamilton - drinks & finger food
Unless otherwise specified, presentations take place in Event Room 1 at the Wintec Hub, street entrance. Workshop booking & venue information is online at www.spark.net.nz. See information table at Events Room 1 for any queries, and check Spark website for more information on speakers / events.
Hamilton’s inaugural Pecha Kucha Night is nearly upon us and the confirmed presenters have been announced:
Pecha Kucha happens 7.30pm, Thurs 7th August at Events Room 1, Wintec’s Hub. Come and listen to some of the most interesting creative minds in Hamilton.
Check out the Pecha Kucha website for regular updates: http://www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/hamilton
