NZers prepare for Venice Biennale

Award winning kapa haka group Te Waka Huia perform at festivities marking the opening of the Venice Biennale.

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The streets of Venice rang with the unlikely sounds of a kapa haka performance announcing New Zealand's presence at the world's oldest contemporary art event.

The 53rd Venice Biennale, set up in 1895, has attracted 70 countries to the Italian city ahead of the public opening this weekend.

New Zealand's opening festivities including an early morning procession with award winning kapa haka group Te Waka Huia. There was also an official blessing of artist Judy Millar's exhibition venue, the historic La Maddalena church, and sculptor Francis Upritchard's Fondazione Claudio Buziol, an intimate former residence that looks directly onto the main canal. This was followed by a powhiri at Venice's historic Piazzo St Marco.

Jenny Harper, who with Creative New Zealand commissioned the Biennale artists, said it was ``incredible to be back in Venice''.  ``The exhibitions created by Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard are making us feel so proud and are sure to create a sensation here in this amazing city.''

Other New Zealand exhibitors include Kennedy Brown, Candywhistle, Jamie McLellan, George Nuku, David Trubridge, David Moreland and Chris Bailey.

New Zealand ambassador Laurie Marks said the Biennale was a fantastic event. ``What better location than Venice to experience the transposition of the South pacific with such a historical centre of Italian art.''

More details at www.nzatvenice.com