Kim does our city proud

WATERFRONT ART: Peter Nicholl's gift to the city. PICTURE: JOAN STREET

Joan: A busy Whanganui Saturday dawned wet and windy! The river still looked stunning for the official acceptance by the Mayor, on behalf of the city, of distinguished Whanganui-born sculptor Peter Nichols' gift. Well ensconced on the riverbank beside the Waimarie, Moorings is a generous gesture. Annette Main thanked him warmly and Peter talked of his love of his home city and about the work that he has created. Here we have the river with its ever-decreasing tributaries represented by hand-made, well-aged wooden "barrels" encircled by strong hand-attached iron rims. They are perfect in their space and are fine for sitting on, jumping to and from or just admiring. For me they evoke the cargo carried up river in the days of Maori then Pakeha existence on our beautiful river.
It was fascinating to watch Kim Hill at work. I am an ardent fan of this supreme radio broadcaster, and, indeed, make her "not to be missed" Saturday morning interviews on Radio New Zealand National, my reason for staying in bed until noon most weekends. A keen, supportive crowd gathered as she, her producer and her technician broadcast live last from the upstairs bar area in the Royal Opera House on Saturday. Homework well done plus earlier visits to Chronicle Glass and artists' studios made her numerous, succinct interviews with a good cross-section of our local identities real, strong and humorous. She was gentle too and none of her occasionally brittle cross-examinations were on show.
Well chosen members of our community, from the mayor to the owner of Space Monster music hub , all of whom love our city and our river, spoke with passion about how good it is to live here. There could not have been better ambassadors for this special place. Though some admitted to nervous apprehension before their interview, Kim eased them into their discussions. Each one showed clearly, perhaps not even realising it, how much living here has enhanced their lives and how they continue to enhance our lives by staying here and by spreading our good name abroad. Whanganui's many assets were referred to and described tantalisingly. There should now be a long queue forming of "large-city dwellers" wanting to come here to live. Wonderful publicity!
If you missed the broadcast, it is still available to listen to at www.radionz.co.nz/national
Mike: From the Opera House we made our way to Guyton St, visiting first Rena Star's gallery, showing Whanganui's Own River Dance. This exhibition contains works by 10 local artists. On entering, you are faced by two large acrylic paintings of the south mole by Felicity Priest, both very striking in colour and design. Stark, yet vibrant, they are a testament to the ocean, the artist herself stating "the elemental power is fuel to the imagination".
Four colour photographs of the river by Gail Imhoff and mixed media collages of two bridges, Dublin Street and the Railway, by Jane Toy, also appealed. Pride of place, however, for my taste, went to Rere Sutherland's He kaitiaki/ Guardians, which consists of "gelatine print using gouache on harakeke paper, with gold leaf". Her representation of the eels/tuna , at once symbolic yet realistic, produces a genuine awareness of Maori spirituality/wairua.
A few strides up the road is the Rayner Gallery, with its Christmas exhibition by 40 very different artists. Every inch of space is covered in works of all types, with something for everyone. Challenging, unusual, poignant - many other adjectives could be employed to describe the items on display. In her morning interview with the Rayner brothers, Kim Hill asked whether some of their works could be described as "kitsch". "Quality kitsch" was Paul's swift rejoinder.
Mike: After our regular Saturday coffee with friends at the Yellow House, Collegiate was our next stop for the Wanganui Orchestra's Romance. How can so small a city produce such a talented group of musicians? Thirty-five of our citizens, under the baton of Errol Christiansen, entertained a receptive audience in the Prince Edward Auditorium with a varied programme.
Beginning with a rousing, no-nonsense performance of Beethoven's Egmont Overture, they gave us two shorter pieces, before tackling their major work of the afternoon, Schubert's Unfinished Symphony. Their playing was of a high calibre, the surging, singing strings ably supported by the confident, powerful woodwind section. A Beethoven "romance" featured Oliver Howard as solo violinist. In her earlier interview, Kim Hill had commented that he looked about 14! She was right. But his youthful looks belied the quality of his playing. To complete the programme, Debbie wai Kapohe sang two Puccini arias, her top notes making the rafters ring. It is an added pleasure to watch Debbie acting out her character in body movements and facial expressions. The encore was Pokarekare Ana, with a swept-up orchestral accompaniment, and a tribute to the "wai o Whanganui".
As was pointed out to the audience, this is not a professional orchestra, but an assemblage of gifted amateurs, performing purely for pleasure. That they have reached such a high standard speaks volumes for their dedication and commitment, as well as that of Errol Christiansen, who has moulded together such a fine body of musicians. They do Whanganui proud.
After the music, Joan withdrew from the fray and I went to Taupo Quay for the celebration of Renata Szarvas' first year in business at Art and Framing. On Paper features works by Matt Dutton, Aaron te Rangiao and Renata herself, and originated from her climbing into a rubbish bin to rescue a load of discarded old books. It was great to see such a large crowd present, a tribute to Renata's bubbly, endearing personality. An opening is a pleasant, social event, but can make it difficult to take in the quality of the exhibition itself, so I will definitely be paying a return visit.
What a day - and I had to omit the hydroplanes.
Suggestions or comments to mjstreet@xtra.o.nz