The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery presents leading European curator Renate Goldmann to New Zealand audiences as part of the upcoming exhibition Come-in: interior design as a contemporary art medium in Germany.

Goldmann, a leading art historian, curator and scholar, is the curator of this major international touring exhibition that looks at the points where interior design, architecture and contemporary art collide in the works of 29 prominent German artists.

Since 2000 Goldmann has been a free-lance curator for the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (IfA), Stuttgart, is currently assistant professor at the Institute of Art History at the University of Cologne, and has been curator and judge of Ars Viva, one of Germany's most significant contemporary art awards. She is also a current board member of the Society of Modern Art at the Ludwig Museum, and a jury member for the annual Wolfgang-Hahn Prize, Cologne. 

Goldmann will speak on Come-in at Wellington's National Library: 6.00pm Monday September 22; the Auckland Art Gallery auditorium: 6.00pm Tuesday September 23, presented in partnership with UNITEC School of Design; and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth: 12.00pm Sunday September 28, the day following the opening of the exhibition. 

"We are extremely happy to bring the expertise of Renate Goldmann to wider New Zealand audiences. Renate is an extremely accomplished curator and is extensively involved with cutting edge developments in German art and industry," said Gallery director Greg Burke.

"This is a great opportunity for the Govett-Brewster to present not only a major German contemporary art exhibition, but also leading German artists and curators to New Zealand audiences," said Burke.

In addition to the tour by Renate Goldmann, which features events in Auckland, Wellington and New Plymouth, the Gallery is presenting an extensive programme of events during the exhibition. 

Major German artist Claus Föttinger will perform in his interactive sculpture at the exhibition opening on Saturday 27 September using his own installation Hermann's doner inn, a lifesize food stand which focuses on the role of the traditional German snack bar in contemporary society.  

 
Following the opening Renate Goldmann will deliver her keynote lecture at 12.00pm Sunday 28 September, followed by a tour of the exhibition by Claus Föttinger, Taranaki artist David Clegg and Auckland Artspace Director Tobias Berger at 2.00pm.

The exhibition is also to become the focal point for World Architecture Day celebrations in Taranaki. The Gallery is hosting leading Taranaki architects and architectural commentators for a public forum to discuss whether there is a 'Taranaki style' of architecture at the Gallery on Sunday 5 October at 2.00pm.

Also celebrating World Architecture Day, respected New Plymouth architect Paul Goldsmith will give a special lecture at 10.00am Saturday 11 October followed by a guided tour of recent Creative Places award winner Puke Ariki.

Udo Kittelmann, author, curator and Director of Frankfurt's MMK Museum of Contemporary Art will give a special lecture at the Gallery on Wednesday 22 October at 6.00pm. He will discuss his exhibition at Artspace and other projects including his role curating Come-in artist Gregor Schneider's awarding winning German Pavilion at the 2001 Venice Biennale.

Renate Goldmann speaking dates:
National Library Auditorium, Wellington: 6.00pm Monday 22 September
Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium, Auckland: 6.00pm Tuesday 23 September
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth: 12.00pm Sunday 28 September

Udo Kittelmann: Govett-Brewster Theatre, 6.00pm, Wednesday 22 October
Taranaki Architectural Forum: 2.00pm, Sunday 5 October
Paul Goldsmith lecture: 10.00am, Saturday 11 October

Come-in: interior design as a contemporary art medium in Germany
27 September – 30 November 2003 is an IfA exhibition supported in New Zealand by the Goethe-Institut Inter Nationes Wellington and sponsored in New Zealand by Aalto Colour, Matisse International Furniture, Noel Lane Architects and Urbis. 

ENDS

For further information contact:
Greg Burke, Director, 758 5149
Antony Rhodes, Marketing and Audience Development Manager, 06 759 0852