Fringe NZ Sinks Money Into The Harbour

Photo of Perfect Pool by AkeAke Theatre Company - T Deaker.

Fringe NZ Media Release

Regan Gentry is an artist who wants to spell out ‘ArrRghT’ in 300 lightbulbs suspended underwater. Fringe NZ is providing money to help him do this.

“ArrRghT grew from complications that I encountered during the process of creating public artworks,” said Regan. “They just made me want to scream ‘argh’ then a ‘t’ sounded in my head and a snigger followed because it sounded like art.”

“Now Fringe NZ is funding $800 towards my underwater scream, which will take place just off the wharf in front of Te Papa,” he said.

A whole new world is screaming open for potential Fringe addicts - 39 Fringe NZ shows, including ArrRghT, will receive a total of $53,700 to speed their creativity for the 2003 Fringe NZ Festival. In 2002 only $43,400 was funded.

Events blasting into the capital’s art scene with help from Fringe NZ’s Kakano (seed) Grant include: the underwater art installation by Regan Gentry; physical dance theatre from AkeAke Theatre Company; and a multi-media piece using cello and dance and other mediums in ‘Chair Water Air’.

‘Perfect Pool’, a choreographic work by AkeAke Theatre Company employs hoops, ropes, stilt acrobalance, and pools of light to explore the underworld. AkeAke receive $1,500 to help with bringing Perfect Pool to Fringe NZ.

“Perfect Pool is an abandonment into murky depths, dreams and death,” said Jessica Sutherland of AkeAke. “Now we have confirmation of Kakano funding we can concentrate on developing our vocal and spatial images that evoke these dark archetypes.”

‘Chair Water Air’ is a provocative musical experience of live electro-acoustic cello and sound alongside dance, silent film and script. $1,000 from Fringe NZ will go into their bank account.

“We want to take our audience on a journey of riddle and thought,” said Francesca Mountfort of Chair Water Air. “Because we’re approaching entertainment from a new angle we’re a perfect fit for Fringe NZ and it’s really great to have the Kakano money to help us bring our ideas to life.”

The Kakano grants are the result of funding by Creative New Zealand administered by Fringe NZ.

The 2003 Fringe NZ Festival: Ten Fast Years will take place in Wellington between 14 February and 9 March. Registrations to participate in the 2003 Festival close on Monday 25 November at 4pm. Forms are available at www.fringe.org.nz or by ringing +4 495-8015 during business hours.

-ends-

For more information contact: Ceridwyn Roberts Publicity & Marketing Manager work +4 495 8015 mobile + 21 243 6995 email marketing@fringe.org.nz

For more contact: Regan Gentry ph: 934 9080 or 389 3071 or email re_g_entry@yahoo.co.nz Jessica Sutherland ph: 03 477-8288 or email akeake_theatre@yahoo.co.uk Francesca Mountfort ph: 380-1515 or 021 107 3634 or email francescamountfort@hotmail.com

© Scoop Media