The Sacred Hart (Auckland Festival 2009)

The Sacred Hart, is a video/scupture installation from New Zealander Terry Urbahn, presented in the iconic surroundings of St Mathews-in-the-City. Urbahn investigates ideas of ritual, memory and community, through this record of the living past of much-loved New Plymouth landmark the White Hart Hotel. Filmed in the hotel’s public bar, the video pans a sumptuous table, as the dinner guests revisit old lives, rituals, memories and what a community stood for. The result is a not a documentary, but an intriguing, immersive artwork, described as ‘like stumbling through a crowded pub” or “eavesdropping at a dinner party.” The audience can come and go at any point in the 2.5 hour looped large video projection, that (with multi-channel surround sound) creates a three dimensional experience that is closer to being a guest at the table than watching a movie or play. The Sacred Hart was first exhibited in 2008 at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth, Urbahn’s hometown.

Runs from Monday 9 March to Thursday 12 March.

Event listed by festival2009

View their other events or contact promoter