Running for 10 days – 7 to 16 October – Art in the City sees Auckland taken over with over a hundred exhibitions, public installations, performances, markets, workshops and more. The free programme of art aims to bring people into the city as it buzzes with a renewed creativity energy.
“Art in the City is a wonderful celebration of creativity and renewal in the heart of our city. We look forward to people experiencing and engaging with the vast programme this year – from pop up galleries, temporary artworks in some of our favourite laneways to art markets, murals and performances during our Late Night Art event” says interim Heart of the City CEO Steve Armitage.
We round up our top picks for Art in the City 2022
The work of Aotearoa artists will be on display in the iconic 1920s Queens Arcade for Arcadia, as shops become pop-up galleries for photography, paintings, artists talks and more. Arcadia is curated by digital art platform, Artfull.
Discover the hidden works of art in the city’s corporate towers, hotels and public buildings. The Unlocked Collections guided tours offer a rare chance to see the coveted collections at places such as Park Hyatt, Commercial Bay and Hotel Britomart.
Changing Lanes kicks off for Art in the City and runs until early December. The art project transforms the city’s laneways and urban spaces with breathtaking public works. Pieces include Paul Brunton’s larger-than-life Eagle nest on Elliott Street, Anna Hanson’s stylised cherry blossoms above Jean Batten Place and Jenna Winterton’s floral sun catcher on Durham Street East.
Auckland’s top galleries and art spaces will be opening their doors after dark for Late Night Art. The night time event also sees the streets lit up with immersive installations by La Lumiere and interactive architecture at the Urban Art Village.
Te Paparahi, Toi Māori is special guided tour of Māori artworks led by kaupapa Māori community group Whakamanatia. “We use the Matariki constellation as the basis for our exploration, lighting our path to understanding and ecological consciousness”
Artist Jessie Kanji leads the Diwali Festival lightboxes project, which showcases the stunning work of Indian artists working in Aotearoa. The installation can be seen on Bledisloe Lane.
Art in the City is a free event and runs from 7 – 16 October. See the full programme at heartofthecity.co.nz/art-in-the-city
