to life. “I’ve always been interested in glass as a metaphor for the material in between,” says Vicki. “In my Grandfather’s case, the glass was used in doors or windows to create a screen or distraction between what is private and public - a distortion of sorts. In my Father’s case, glass was used for the first time in technology as a way to transmit information and data – again referencing the private to the public notion. This technology has now evolved through fiber optics, and the misrepresentation this can create.” These abstract ideas, along with Vicki’s creative flair, have resulted in three ethereal works of art that will leave you marvelling at their beauty as well as the history behind them. Sarjeant Gallery, 14 May-31 July. www.sarjeant.org.nz
RE-WEAVING OF A FOLLY The 2022 Brick Bay Folly is revealed. Inspired by a site visit to Brick Bay and witnessing a friendly pīwakawaka (fantail), The Nest references the delicate stacking and weaving of twigs. Situated above a lake surrounded by mature exotic and native trees, the subtle use of Resene colours references the colours of the wingspan and tail of the pīwakawaka.
The winners and their sponsors in front of The Nest.
Architectural follies are found around the world and their purpose are to inspire and delight audiences. The Brick Bay Folly project provides an opportunity for emerging architects to test their ideas on a real-life project, manage construction, solve contingencies and participate in physical construction. The seventh and most recent Brick Bay Folly winner The Nest was officially
revealed and opened to the public in May this year. Three recent graduates of Auckland University's School of Architecture: Joseph Trace, Brandon Carter-Chan and Nicholas Rowsby designed and built their winning Folly while navigating the uncertainty of the 2021 lockdowns, as well as balancing the completion of the final year of their architecture degrees.
Sustainability as well as the global timber shortage was top of mind for the winning team, and so they proposed to recycle the timber from the 2019 Brick Bay Folly The Wooden Pavillion to prevent waste, and celebrate an ethos of renewal. This proved to be a painstaking task, with the team managing to save and catalogue 797 linear metres of timber. The resulting Folly is made up of approximately 95% recycled timber. However, the effort was worth it, with judge Pip Cheshire commenting “I think in the reuse of materials, what you're seeing here is a really interesting evolutionary view that materials are scarce resources.” The resulting 2022 Folly, The Nest, is a thought-provoking response to the landscape, resource use and the everpresent climate emergency. It’s open to the public at Brick Bay, 7 days a week from 10am. www.brickbay.co.nz www.facebook.com/brickbay ART
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