Two new galleries

26 September 2006

Two new galleries make NZ a permanent fixture on the international design stage

AUCKLAND MUSUEM presents Encounter and Landmarks Design Galleries

When the ENCOUNTER and LANDMARKS Galleries open on November 24 at The Auckland Museum a vast collection of New Zealand and International Design will have its first dedicated home; rivaling the very best international design galleries from the world's biggest cities.

Brainchild of Museum curator Louis Le Valliant, these permanent galleries give new life to the Museum's stunning 21,800 piece collection of contemporary design and decorative art objects, which all have their important place in history. Design and decorative arts objects are objects designed and constructed for everyday use that are no longer used and are now admired for their aesthetic and artistic beauty. "We have wonderful collection of design pieces, which all have great stories to tell" says Le Valliant.

The New Zealand Gallery, ENCOUNTER will showcase 1100 of the museum's 7000 pieces of local design making it the most comprehensive collection in the country. It will reveal the best examples by local designers embracing the widest spectrum of works from the collections. Items such as Huia beak brooches, Zambesi couture and modern furniture all proudly take their place at ENCOUNTER making this stunning new gallery the first historical survey outlining the development of the decorative arts in Aotearoa since 1840.

LANDMARKS, the international gallery will feature pieces, designed and made in Europe over the past five centuries. This collection combines the work of previous generations of known and anonymous makers who objects have been produced with the greatest of artistry, skill and care. This remarkable collection ranges from Art Nouveau and Bauhaus pieces, mid 1700s court fashion to the mid 1900s designs of Coco Chanel and the famous Maarten Baas' Clay Dining Chair.

LANDMARKS and ENCOUNTER will place Auckland Museum at the forefront of historic and contemporary interpretation of design, in the company of the Design Museum (London), Bauhaus Museum of Design (Berlin), Triennale di Milano (Milan), The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (NYC) and many other well respected international design galleries.

"Design is directed toward human beings. To design is to solve human problems by identifying them and executing the best solution" - Ivan Chermayeff

LANDMARKS and ENCOUNTER open to the public on the 24th of November PRICE: Free event For more info visit the news and media section of the website www.aucklandmuseum.com For further information contact: Michelle Lafferty or Kerry-Anne Brett at elephant publicity Ph: 09 3684180 or 0272956450, Email: elephantpublicity@paradise.net.nz Or Margi Mellsop, Marketing Manager, Auckland Museum Ph: 306 7051 or 0275 455 2400

ENDS

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