Hiromi Tango gives Warwick Broadhead a massage as part of her window art at Urban Loft in Customs St. Photo / Brett Phibbs
For six months, Hiromi Tango has travelled the world, meeting people, making friends and relying on the kindness of strangers.
The Japanese-born artist, who emigrated to Australia nine years ago, has been in Auckland since February 1, staying with strangers and researching to create her "portrait of Auckland".
Part of the Windows exhibition with Auckland Festival AK07, Tango has made an installation in the storefront of Urban Loft on Customs St.
Scattered cushions cover the floor, welcoming visitors to join Tango for a cup of tea and a massage.
"Every day in the street I am making friends and this is the outcome of it," said Tango, gesturing around the storefront space. "The ultimate goal of my artwork is intimacy," she explained. "I'm interested in how intimate we can be in a limited time."
The self-described "cheeky" artist began her project six months ago in Brisbane. Since then she has spent time in Melbourne, Sendai (Japan) and Tokyo, before coming to Auckland.
"I thought it would be more different [between places] but people are people," she said.
"Although, usually I get 70 per cent rejection, 30 per cent acceptance. In Auckland I get 70 per cent acceptance, 30 per cent rejection, which is amazing."
Tango said she was unsure why she began the project but thought it came from a need to connect with society.
"Maybe because I was a migrant. It's quite a lonely process."
Through her research, Tango said, her main finding had been that people were, generally, good.
"Although my video camera got stolen four days ago on Victoria St," she laughed. "But then two people offered me the use of their cameras."
Tango is one of 10 artists partaking in the Windows exhibition, on display in various Auckland shop windows until Friday.
WHAT'S ON
Today
* The New Zealand String Quartet perform a programme of Bright Light and Cloud Shadows at the St Matthew-in-the-City tonight at 6pm.
* Aussie comic Eddie Perfect brings a little laughter to AK07 with his show, Eddie Perfect Says Drink Pepsi Bitch, at the Festival Club tonight, until Saturday.
Tomorrow
* The music of New Caledonia comes to Auckland when Celenod perform at the Festival Club tomorrow and Friday.
* Debuting tonight at the Hopetoun Alpha, Hatch examines the controversial life and times of ex-Invercargill Mayor Joseph Hatch, the man responsible for the death of three million penguins on McQuarie Island.
