"The Scenic Eye: Visual Arts and the Theatre"
2005-03-25 until 2005-06-26
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu
Christchurch, , NZ New Zealand (Aotearoa)

The fine arts of the present day have long since taken over forms of the theatre, a place that has for centuries inspired human imagination. An exhibition from the Goethe-Institut, The Scenic Eye presents a new understanding of theatre and fine arts in Germany since the 1960s. Curator Wolfgang Storch invited nineteen of Germany's most interesting contemporary artists to approach the concept of theatre from within the framework of their own artistic styles and strategies.

Most artists selected a literary or dramatic theme, creating a work of art which would represent the literary work by visual means. Others created works of art based wholly on formal parameters; here, the interaction between the work of art, the public, the actor(s), and the text was important, for a play is always dependent on the audience. In contrast, just a single viewer is sufficient for a visual work, which requires intimate contact between itself and the beholder. Thus, the objective was to create a visual work of art while keeping in mind the theatre and taking into account the various rules governing theatrical and visual art.

What has emerged is an exhibition that presents a clear and vivid dialogue of fine art and theatre in a close and mutual relationship. The works range in media from sculptural objects and photographs to video works and installations. The Scenic Eye looks back on the intimate relationship between the two expressive genres and reflects on the true meaning of Gesamtkunstwerk, a 'total work of art'.

Exhibition developed and toured by the German Institute of Foreign Cultural Relations in association with the Goethe-Institut, New Zealand

IMAGE
Silly Lillies 1995
Thomas Schütte, 1995
Reproduced courtesy of the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa)

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for New Zealand

Other Important Exhibitions in New Zealand