Art on the Fringe

March 30, 2009 11:20

So we’re half way through the Fringe Festival, and already you may have seen an inadequately dressed man roaming the streets of Dunedin, or a large cross formed out of human bodies. However, with seven days of the festival remaining, there are still more arty delights to come, and best of all for those of limited means, they are all free.

The events range from the more traditional (paintings, photography) to the rather bizarre (metaphysical public performance). There seems to be a major focus this year on the use of public spaces. “Outsider Art” is created by artists from Studio 2, an art studio for people with disabilities. The works are painted on recycled election billboards, and will be installed around Dunedin in order to allow interaction with the wider community. These will be on show until April 5.

Alibi takes on a temporary new role as an art gallery, featuring “Signs and Wonders” by Prue Crum, Kerri Devine, Kevin Bowie and Sally Bulling, four emerging artists from Christchurch. Both Devine and Bowie work mostly in monochrome, with rather stunning results. Devine says she uses photography “because I feel the need to capture what is fleeting.” This exhibition looks set to be an epic foray into life and art through photography, printmaking and mixed media, and is also showing until April 5.

Known for their bizarre performance art, Irvine and Sarah Forgen are presenting “Wish –About Spaces,” which asks visitors to breach the boundaries between performer and spectator. This interactive performance is likely to be anything but boring, and will take place at the Blue Oyster Gallery, on April 4.

Otago Polytechnic graduates Hannah Joynt and Nicola Hansby have created a collaborative exhibition, entitled “Come Together.” Their work sounds fairly atmospheric, with cut-out people encircling an empty field, and inky characters drawing around a luscious pine forest. Pop into None Gallery, April 1-3, from 2pm-4pm.

Both “Te Ngaru Hou – the Next Wave” and “Festival in the Valley” focus on local artists. On April 5, “Te Ngaru Hou – the Next Wave” will showcase the next wave of contemporary Maori artists, featuring art, mahi toi, music, film and fashion at Huirapa Marae. For those feeling confined in their Central Dunedin life, “Festival in the Valley” celebrates local artists from North East Valley. The exhibition is showing until April 5.