The Vernacular Lounge 2017

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THE VERNACULAR LOUNGE “Cultures are not manufactured by artists or declared by committees.

They are the responses of peoples, in a particular time and a particular place, to that time and that place…They are not shaped by social revolutions but by a continuous accumulation of personal rebellions. They are enriched by the tensions of challenge. They are about difference more than they are about sameness” Hamish Keith The Vernacular Lounge is an intimate living room which sheds a light on the influences that shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s evolving and distinctive cultural identity as defined by its art, architecture, literature, film and other cultural forms. In a contemporary, globalised context the vernacular is an even more important component of the Depot’s raison d’etre.

The ‘lounge’, while not peculiar to New Zealand, is traditionally and typically the social hub of the New Zealand home and it is in this spirit and form that The Vernacular Lounge will host and initiate exhibitions, publications, events and showcases, that explore and develop our cultural vernacular.

Events and exhibitions in The Vernacular Lounge have included tributes to Don Binney and Ralph Hotere, an exhibition of vernacular architecture and a history of peace protests in New Zealand.

They have explicitly or implicitly explored the question; in the midst of diversity, is there an elusive quality, a ‘national identity’, which binds us all?

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While not a dedicated gallery, The Vernacular Lounge will accept proposals from those who wish to undertake an exhibition, event or installation that references or responds to its theme of exploring, debating or representing the evolving vernacular of Aotearoa.

Contact Linda for details of The Vernacular Lounge linda.blincko@depotartspace.co.nz Here’s what UNESCO has to say about this phenomenon: While fragile, intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalisation.

An understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps with intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life. The importance of intangible cultural heritage is not the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills

that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next. The social and economic value of this transmission of knowledge is relevant for minority groups and for mainstream social groups within a State, and is as important for developing States as for developed ones.

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DEPOT PRESS PUBLICATIONS Depot Press publications delve into the evolving vernacular identity of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

These challenging and evocative publications feature thought provoking articles, question social ‘norms’ and celebrate the vernacular and indigenous practices. Themes chosen for The Vernacularist are generally topical and deliberately open to interpretation in order to encourage creative and diverse submissions of relevance to Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique physical, cultural, social and ecological environment.

There are two series, Vernacular Studies and the Special Edition series.

VERNACULAR STUDIES Vernacular Studies is a series of small publications featuring commentary about vernacular issues such as environment, language, turangawaewae, aspects of cultural distinctiveness, social structures, festivals, and about people who have influenced and continue to influence our cultural and creative landscape. Included in these studies so far are: True Community? Part One and Part Two, 2012 The Vernacularist: Exploring the Vernacular as a Social Movement, 2013 He W’akaputanga Mai o te Rangatiratanga-A proclamation, 2014

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Helen Pollock ‘Falls the Shadow’: a commemoration of WW1

Anti-Apartheid Protest 1981

Heather Randerson ‘Niwa 4: Nga Kara e Rua’ He W’akaputanga Mai o te Rangatiratanga exhibition, 2014

A.R.D. Fairburn and Maurice Dugga

Barry Brickell ‘Rails Towards the Sky’ book launch at Depot Artspace

Nigel Brown Museum of the Vernacular

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Maureen Lander ‘Te Kahu Kara’ He W’akaputanga Mai o te Rangatiratanga exhibition, 2014

Flag It! Designing the Next Aotearoa/NZ National Flag, 2014 The Environmental issue, 2014

Jermaine Reihana ‘Te Matahi: the sacred tui’

Te Matahi 2.0 2016: the sacred tui paintings of Jermaine Reihana, 2016 Tui: Jermaine Reihana We will be producing further themed Vernacular Studies publications and will be inviting submissions through the Depot’s LOUD magazine, e-news and The Big Idea. Give your passion a place and a voice! www.depotartspace.co.nz

SPECIAL EDITIONS Special Editions are publications focusing on issues of particular significance to Aotearoa New Zealand in relation to their topicality and the extent to which they influence, affect or reference our cultural vernacular.

Nigel Brown ‘In Search of the Vernacular’ 2013

IN SEARCH OF THE VERNACULAR August, 2013. $30

Lia Kent McKillop ‘Kerr St Artspace ‘ Turangwaewae-Sense of Place 2014

TURANGAWAEWAE – SENSE OF PLACE Depot Artspace, June, 2014. $30 Turangawaewae - Kerr St Artspace on Mt Victoria Image by Lia Kent McKil-

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Timothy Flowers ‘Mingonui’ Urban-Rural: The Great Divide

URBAN-RURAL: The Great Divide?

Depot Artspace, December, 2015. $30

WAHINE – WOMEN Depot Artspace, May, 2014. $40 THE ROARING SILENCE: Toward Suicide Prevention Depot Artspace, December, 2016. $30 You can read more about these publications on http://www.depotpress.co.nz/

Depot Artspace 28 Clarence Street, Devonport Auckland www.depotartspace.co.nz